Fishes at the Fort Fundraiser Dinner & Auction

Fort Adams State Park, Newport RI

2nd Annual Fishes at the Fort

Sunday August 18th 2024

Join Eating with the Ecosystem join us for a 'fintastic' evening at our second annual Fishes at the Fort fundraiser!

An unforgettable evening of local seafood, delicious cuisine, and community.

Experience the best of Rhode Island's local and underutilized fishes as four amazing chefs come together to prepare a four-course dinner that celebrates local abundance, ocean ecosystems, and our beloved fisheries. Indulge in a culinary journey crafted by award winning chefs: 

Josh Berman of Little Fish Food Truck and JB Cuisine
Sky Kim of Gift Horse
David Standridge of The Shipwright's Daughter
Jason Timothy of Troop PVD

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour including an oyster raw bar and seafood appetizers. Then we will move to a seated four-course dinner where each course is paired with a fantastic wine.  During the meal we will have a spirited live auction featuring incredible and unique prizes, led by David Dadekian, board president of Eating with the Ecosystem and owner of Eat Drink RI. 

This event is more than just a dinner—As you savor each bite, you'll be supporting the important work of Eating with the Ecosystem, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a place-based approach to sustaining New England's wild seafood. You will meet and learn from local fishers and harvesters who bring the fresh, responsibly caught seafood to our tables and engage in conversations about sustainable fishing practices and oyster aquaculture, learn about local marine ecosystems, and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving our oceans and supporting local fisheries. 

Dress:

Dazzle us with your most fishy and seafood chic attire for the chance to win a fabulous door prize! 

This event will be held outdoors at Fort Adams so please dress accordingly for a seasonal August evening on the water. We will be inside Casemates in the event of inclement weather.

Dietary Restrictions & Allergies:

Fishes at the Fort is a set menu featuring local seafood including finfish, crustaceans, and shellfish. Due to the limitations of the venue we are regrettably unable to accommodate any alternative menu/allergen requests other than a vegetarian option. Thank you in advance for your understanding on this matter. 

Parking:

There will be ample free parking available in the lot at Fort Adams or arrive in style using the Newport Harbor Shuttle and Uber home. Our event will take place at Casemates on the North Lawn.

Meet the Chefs:

Josh Berman- JB Cuisine and Little Fish Food Truck

Chef Joshua Berman grew up immersed in cooking from an early age working his way from dishwasher through the various ranks to Executive Chef.  After high school He attended Johnson and Wales University where he graduated with a bachelors degree in Culinary Arts.

He has spent time cooking in Italy, at Michelin starred Del Posto in NYC, Restaurant Bouchard, and Revolving Door in Newport, RI. He most recently held the position of Chef de Cuisine at Gracie’s in Providence RI.  In Early 2020 chef Josh created JB Cuisine Personal chef Services and in 2022 together with his wife, Nancy, launched Little Fish, a food truck dedicated to utilizing local and sustainable “little fish” to produce tacos and ceviche that are fresh, delicious, and environmentally conscious!

Chef Josh’s cuisine could best be described as locally sourced and globally inspired. He finds inspiration from travels around the world and brings them to your plate with elegance and bold flavor.


Sky Kim- Gift Horse

Sky Haneul Kim is the Chef at Gift Horse, a raw bar and restaurant in downtown Providence. She was born and raised in South Korea, and came to America when she was 20. She attended Johnson and Wales University to pursue her culinary dreams. After college she traveled and worked all across America in some of the best restaurants on each coast. When her and her husband Chris, the Chef at Oberlin restaurant, decided to settle down they knew Rhode Island is where they wanted to do it. At Gift Horse, Sky applies south Korean flavors with the local ingredients and seafood of Rhode island. This year, she was named a James Beard Foundation semifinalist for the national category of “Best Emerging Chef." 

 David Standridge- The Shipwright’s Daughter

2024 James Beard Foundation Best Chef in the Northeast!

At The Shipwright’s Daughter, Chef David Standridge crafts imaginative dishes that are rooted in a deep commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. A champion of sustainable fishing practices, he incorporates local kelp, invasive species, and bycatch fish into his modern New England cuisine, minimizing waste while celebrating the region's seafood diversity.

Standridge's culinary journey began in New York City, transitioning from front-of-house roles at acclaimed venues like Eleven Madison Park to mastering the kitchen's intricacies. His culinary education at LeNotre Culinary School in Texas propelled him through various roles, from refining his skills at The Four Seasons Houston to earning accolades as sous chef at The Four Seasons, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in NYC, where his team clinched Two Michelin Stars in 2009 under the leadership of the late M. Robuchon.

From there, Standridge brought his expertise to beloved neighborhood spots like Market Table and Cafe Clover before serving as executive chef at Sonnier & Castle, where he catered to esteemed clients such as The New York City Ballet and oversaw the opening of the iconic Hudson Yards. In 2019, Standridge embarked on a new chapter, relocating to Mystic, CT, and opening The Shipwright's Daughter in 2020.

Beyond the kitchen, Standridge remains dedicated to promoting sustainability, serving on the board of Eating with the Ecosystem. Recognized as a James Beard Best Chef, Northeast in 2024, Standridge continues to shape the culinary landscape with his unwavering pursuit of excellence and environmental stewardship.

Jason Timothy- Troop PVD

Jason Timothy, is the creative culinary director/ co-owner of Troop located in Providence. Transplanting from CT at 18, he came to RI to attend Johnson and Wales university. Graduating in 1997, he then began his culinary journey. Working up and down the east coast, he ended back here in Rhode Island, heading several kitchens, including Loie Fullers, which was his last stop on the tour before embarking on a new path when he was a part of starting Laughing Gorilla catering. The buzz generated from a series of public and private events, that then caught the eye of some partners willing to invest in the brand. This brings us to Troop! A hip hop, surf and skate inspired restaurant, focusing on global street food ideals using the bounty of Rhode Island's best farmers. In his new role, he works with his chef to create new dishes and ideas for their menus, that not only challenge the guests, but the staff as well!

1st Annual Fishes at the Fort

August 18, 2023

Photos by Alison Turpin, www.tradewindphotos.com 

The Chefs:

Josh Berman- JB Cuisine and Little Fish Food Truck

Chef Joshua Berman grew up immersed in cooking from an early age working his way from dishwasher through the various ranks to Executive Chef.  After high school He attended Johnson and Wales University where he graduated with a bachelors degree in Culinary Arts.

He has spent time cooking in Italy, at Michelin starred Del Posto in NYC, Restaurant Bouchard, and Revolving Door in Newport, RI. He most recently held the position of Chef de Cuisine at Gracie’s in Providence RI.  In Early 2020 chef Josh created JB Cuisine Personal chef Services and in 2022 together with his wife, Nancy, launched Little Fish, a food truck dedicated to utilizing local and sustainable “little fish” to produce tacos and ceviche that are fresh, delicious, and environmentally conscious!

Chef Josh’s cuisine could best be described as locally sourced and globally inspired. He finds inspiration from travels around the world and brings them to your plate with elegance and bold flavor.

Jason Timothy- Troop PVD

Jason Timothy, is the creative culinary director/ co-owner of Troop located in Providence. Transplanting from CT at 18, he came to RI to attend Johnson and Wales university. Graduating in 1997, he then began his culinary journey. Working up and down the east coast, he ended back here in Rhode Island, heading several kitchens, including Loie Fullers, which was his last stop on the tour before embarking on a new path when he was a part of starting Laughing Gorilla catering. The buzz generated from a series of public and private events, that then caught the eye of some partners willing to invest in the brand. This brings us to Troop! A hip hop, surf and skate inspired restaurant, focusing on global street food ideals using the bounty of Rhode Island's best farmers. In his new role, he works with his chef to create new dishes and ideas for their menus, that not only challenge the guests, but the staff as well!

David Standridge- The Shipwright’s Daughter

Prior to joining The Shipwright’s Daughter, David spent the last 13-years in New York City earning his culinary chops. He earned two Michelin Stars with Culinary Icon Joel Robuchon, before heading the farm-to-table restaurant, Market Table in the West Village. Next he was tapped to create a new health-focused concept Café Clover, Clover Grocery and the revamped Maidstone Hotel in East Hampton.  His culinary roots start with his Italian mother and her slow-cooked Sunday meals and his deep southern roots on his father's side.  David grew up in the northern Appalachian mountains where berry foraging and fresh water fishing were part of daily life.   

At Shipwright's, David produces an ever changing seasonal menu with a focus on the bounty from local waters and farms.  Although a Modern New England restaurant at heart, David’s cuisine is informed by the culinary techniques of Oxaca, the deep south and Southern Italy.  David recently joined the board of the non-profit Eating with the Ecosystem. 

 Lucie Moulton- The Gourmet Goddess

Lucie Moulton received her undergraduate degree from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. She became a consultant for both public and private schools with behavioral challenges. With a passion for sailing and being situated in the heart of America’s Cup racing, she began working on luxury sailing yachts as a private chef during the summer months. This slowly morphed beyond the final summer sunset in Newport, taking her to over fifty six countries in the ensuing sixteen years as a much sought after private chef.

Bringing with her a culinary style that is truly unique after many years living abroad amongst other cultures and cuisines, she has enjoyed cooking for clients in their homes and on their yachts since 1999. At Gourmet Goddess Cuisine she helps her clients organize exquisite menus, purvey from local vendors and farms, and prepare excellent meals. The success of the company is derived from its dedication to the concept of total culinary care, whilst bringing the concept of “farm to table” right to your doorstep. She works closely with local purveyors to ensure the most authentic and genuine product grown and cultivated daily. At Gourmet Goddess Cuisine, Lucie offers a wide range of services including culinary classes, dinner parties, wine pairings, tasting menus, and weekly personal chef services.