The Providence Culinary Collective and Wine X Returns in March

The second annual multi-day event invites local food and wine connoisseurs to bespoke culinary experiences citywide.

February 24, 2026

Jamie Coelho,

Pouring Different Wines Into The Glasses Arranged For The Wine Tasting On The Counter

Wine tasting. Stock image from Getty Images.

It’s a different kind of March Madness: This one is focused on food and wine. The Creative Capital is gearing up to transform into the “culinary” capital for the second annual Providence Culinary Collective and Rhode Island Wine Experience (Wine X), taking place Thursday, March 26, through Sunday, March 29, at locations throughout Providence. The food and wine festival is the brainchild of the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, while Wine X is produced in partnership with RMO PR.

Community partners — including Johnson & Wales University, Hope & Main, Food Trucks In and the Rhode Island Hospitality Association — are collaborating to present the event. Highlights include The Vintners Dinner prepared by James Beard Award-nominated Derek Wagner of Nicks on Broadway; a special Rhode Island Hospitality Association Education Foundation dinner called “Seven Nations, One Table,” featuring 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best Chef Northeast, Kevin O’Donnell of Giusto and Mother Pizzeria, alongside local celebrity chefs who are each paired with a JWU student to prepare an amuse-bouche menu; and the Wine X Grand Tasting at the Capital Grille with more than forty-five wine producers and brands with curated food vendors and expert panelists from the wine industry. There’s also a Food Truck Drag Brunch Block Party, Hope & Main’s Foodcraft tasting experience with complimentary samples from local food and drink producers, and the VIP 90 Experience early entry to Wine X with access to a dedicated selection of 90-point-plus wines, a caviar experience and specialty gourmet foods available only during the VIP hour at Capital Grille.

The Providence Culinary Collective involves four days filled with food and wine with new events added weekly. “The response to last year’s inaugural festival affirmed what we’ve long known: Providence is a city with an extraordinary culinary story to tell,” says Kristen Adamo, president and CEO of the PWCVB. “This year’s Providence Culinary Collective builds on that momentum with additional talent, new experiences and even more ways for locals and visitors to savor the creativity that defines our destination.”

Some of the participating restaurants include CHOP at the Providence Public Library, the Capital Grille, Gracie’s, Track 15, the Reserve on Dorrance, Sarto, Bellini, Sport & Leisure and Club Frills.

Events are being held in conjunction with Lil Rhody Laugh Riot, the four-day comedy festival happening simultaneously in multiple venues in the city and featuring more than twenty comedians including John Mulaney, Chelsea Handler, Andrew Schulz, Andrew Santino and Jay Pharoah. Find more details at LilRhodyLaughRiot.com.

The Providence Culinary Collective schedule of events is as follows:

Thursday, March 26

5:30-8:30 p.m.	Oyster Demo With Wine Pairings at CHOP: Come taste the freshest oysters and learn about the perfect wine pairings in a fun and interactive setting at CHOP in Providence. Whether you’re an oyster enthusiast or new to the world of seafood, this event is perfect for anyone looking to expand their palate. Don’t miss out on this unique culinary experience!
4-7 p.m.	Shop local and sample small bites at Foodcraft: An Evening of Global Flavors, Locally Made. Presented by Hope & Main and its diverse array of makers, this community marketplace at 100 Westminster St. features complimentary appetizers and one-of-a-kind specialty foods, a cash bar, and live music.
5:30-7 p.m.	Journey Through the Vines: Women in Wine Showcase: This month, celebrate Women’s History Month by tasting what some of the world’s contemporary women winemakers have to offer at Gracie’s, part of the monthly wine seminar series.
4:30-6 p.m.	Wine X Presents: A Tour through South Africa with Sommelier Matt Gant: Join Wine X Sommelier Matt Gant at Track 15 for an immersive tasting experience spotlighting the bold, expressive and often under-discovered wines of South Africa. From elegant Chenin Blanc and mineral-driven coastal whites to structured Cabernet Sauvignon and complex Rhône-style blends, this curated tasting will explore the diversity and depth of the Cape Winelands. Light bites will be served.

Friday, March 27
4:30-6 p.m.	Wine X Presents: Wine With Wanda, A Global Wine Adventure at Track 15: NYC-based Wanda Mann, founder of Wine With Wanda, has been writing about wine for over 15 years. She is the East Coast Editor for The SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel magazines. Wanda’s writing has also been published in Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, NAPA Magazine, VinePair, Saveur, and other publications. She has visited major wine regions and interviewed top winemakers, many of whom have joined Wanda for lively chats and virtual tastings on Instagram Live. Wanda’s wine expertise has also landed her media appearances on television and radio.
5:30-9 p.m.	Seven Nations, One Table: Celebrating Culinary Futures features a vibrant lineup of globally inspired amuse‑bouche. Each dish is crafted by a celebrity local chef paired with a Johnson & Wales University culinary student. Featuring 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalist: Best Chef Northeast, Kevin O’Donnell, the event also includes Kerri Spady of Ellie’s, Ryan Connors from G Hospitality, TJ Delle Donne, Johnson & Wales University, Marissa Lo of the Boat House, Champe Speidel of Persimmon, and Mohammed Benjdid from Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor.
10 a.m. and noon	JWU Culinary Arts Museum – Tour & Lunch: The Culinary Arts Museum Tour and Lunch will include a walking tour of the exhibits with a professional staff member, a lunch provided by JWU Catering, and time to revisit an exhibit or two on your own. The lunch includes a choice of three savory hand pies including chicken “pot pie,” braised beef and mixed vegetables, or vegetarian – seasonal ingredients, as well as a salad, seasonal fruit, fruit infused water, and assorted freshly baked cookies.
4-7 p.m.	A Taste of Local: Harvest Kitchen Preview Party: Join Farm Fresh RI for a relaxed, family-friendly preview of Harvest Kitchen, our new café located inside the Farm Fresh RI building at 10 Sims Avenue. This open-house-style event is your chance to sample a selection of menu items and jarred products that reflect what Harvest Kitchen is all about: simple, honest food made from scratch, rooted in local ingredients, and inspired by the seasons.
8 p.m.	Giardino by Sarto: Join us for a special late night wine garden experience at Sarto after dark. Starting at 8 p.m., sip your way through Piemontese favorites Barbaresco, Barolo, Gavi, Vermouth di Torino and more. Just snack on some grissini or make your way through our selection of tagliere misto, antipasto and pasta selections from Chef Phil Dushkewich. Light jazz and live music by the Matt Kowalski Trio. This isn’t a formal wine dinner, it’s a late-night escape inspired by terraces and Torino.

Saturday, March 28
9 a.m.-12 p.m.	Johnson & Wales: PVD Kitchen Academy Blitz Dough Cooking Class and Johnson & Wales: PVD Kitchen Academy Seafood Showcase Class
10:30 a.m.- noon (VIP) Noon-4 p.m. (general admission)	RI Wine Experience (Wine X) Grand Tasting Event: The Grand Tasting is the centerpiece of the Rhode Island Wine Experience — an immersive celebration of wine, culture, and conversation set in the heart of downtown Providence. Hosted at The Capital Grille, this signature event brings together 45–50 acclaimed wine producers and brands, alongside curated food vendors, for an afternoon of discovery, connection, and indulgence. The VIP 90 Experience starts with early admission at 10:30 a.m. and offers an elevated start to the Grand Tasting with exclusive early access and rare pours. From 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., VIP guests are welcomed into the tasting floor ahead of the general public to explore the full collection of wines at a relaxed, unhurried pace. During this private tasting window, guests will enjoy a caviar experience and specialty gourmet foods available only during the VIP hour, thoughtfully selected to complement the wines being poured.
6-10 p.m.	The Vintners Dinner With Chef Derek Wagner Presented by Wine X: An unforgettable evening of culinary artistry and French elegance awaits at this year’s Vintners Dinner with Chef Derek Wagner, featuring six courses paired with exceptional French wines. This intimate, one-night-only experience will be held at The Reserve on Dorrance.
10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.	Bellini Providence Champagne Brunch: The experience begins with a chilled glass of Veuve Clicquot, setting the tone for a refined yet relaxed progression of brunch classics, thoughtfully prepared, elegantly plated, and meant to unfold at an unhurried pace. Expect familiar favorites elevated, from smoked salmon and BLT-style avocado toast to eggs Benedict (with the option to indulge in lobster or steak), finishing with a sweet course designed to linger over.
11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.	Food Truck Bites – During Lil Rhody Laugh Riot & Providence Culinary Collective: Come hungry and ready to explore 12+ local food trucks serving up their full menus. Upgrade your experience with the Taste Tour – a special pre-purchased ticket that lets you sample signature bites from your choice of seven participating food trucks for only $35 (advance purchase only, while supplies last). Click here to purchase Taste Tour tickets.
6-8 p.m.	Well Dressed, Well Stirred: Harridan Vodka x Lingua Franca at Bellini Rooftop: Join us at Bellini Rooftop for an evening where fashion, flavor and ritual converge, presented by Harridan Handcrafted Vodka in partnership with Lingua Franca. As part of the Providence Culinary Collaborative, guests are invited to explore the evolution of the martini: from its sweeter origins to its crisp, savory modern expressions — guided by Bridgette Taylor, CEO and Founder of Harridan Vodka. Crafted from organic, gluten-free ingredients grown by family farmers in upstate New York, Harridan is a woman-owned distillery celebrated for its integrity, precision and quiet elegance.


Sunday, March 29
1:30 p.m.	Napa Wine Tasting Experience With Wine X Sommelier Matt Gant
5-7:30 p.m.	Legacy in the Making: A Father and Son Culinary Duel: As part of Wine X, two of Rhode Island’s most celebrated chefs go head-to-head in a spirited culinary duel: Chef Chris Phillips of the Capital Grille versus Chef Brandon Phillips of Waterman Grille. Each chef will craft a multi-course tasting menu, thoughtfully paired with selections from the distinguished Duckhorn Wine Portfolio — a collection renowned for its legacy of excellence, balance, and expressive terroir.
11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.	Food Truck Drag Brunch Block Party – Providence Culinary Collective: We return to the The Dark Lady and The Alley Cat as we host our next Food Truck Drag Brunch Block Party! Indulge in delicious offerings from a variety of food trucks, featuring their full menus alongside brunch specials, while enjoying brunch cocktails from The Dark Lady and The Alley Cat. Be sure to stop by the Queens’ Closet Flea Market.
3-7 p.m.	Track 15 Providence Culinary Collective: Join us at Track 15 for a special evening celebrating the Providence Culinary Collective — the chefs, creators and flavors that make our city’s food scene so vibrant. This one-night event will bring together local talent and delicious dishes under one roof, featuring all seven Track 15 food hall vendors: There There, Dolores, Tolia, Dune Brothers, Little Chaska, Giusto and Mother Pizza.
10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.	Bellini Providence Champagne Brunch: The experience begins with a chilled glass of Veuve Clicquot, setting the tone for a refined yet relaxed progression of brunch classics, thoughtfully prepared, elegantly plated, and meant to unfold at an unhurried pace. Expect familiar favorites elevated, from smoked salmon and BLT-style avocado toast to eggs Benedict (with the option to indulge in lobster or steak), finishing with a sweet course designed to linger over.
Noon-4 p.m. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.	Island Coquito Brunch Party: Join us for the Island Coquito Brunch Party, a high-energy Latin brunch experience bringing together great food, signature cocktails, and nonstop music at Sport & Leisure in Providence. Club Frills \| Nimki x Wine X \| Champagne Brunch: Join Nimki & Club Frills for a 4-course traditional and non-traditional South Indian breakfast! Featuring Champagne from Valentine LaFlaive, Nimki’s classic fried chicken, coffee from Enjoy Coffee Roasters & plenty more!