The 31st Annual Newport Winter Festival came to a close on Sunday, February 24th. Here are some of the winners from food and drink competitions that took place during the 10 day event;

2nd Annual Mac & Cheese Smackdown at Gurney’s on Saturday, February 23rd;

  • First Place- #14 MainSail at the Newport Marriott
  • Second Place- #9 Tavern in the Square
  • Third Place Tie – #4 Localz Kitchen & Cocktails & #6 Antonio’s Pizza Newport 

24th Annual Sam Adams Chili Cook-Off at Gurney’s on Saturday, February 16th;

  • First Place- #9 Chili Masters 
  • Second Place- #1 Saltwater at the Newport Harbor Hotel
  • Third Place- #2 Gurney’s Newport Resort 

Annual Best Hot Drink Contest at Red Parrot on Thursday, February 21st;

  • 1st Place- Skiff Bar at the Marriott 
  • 2nd Place- Red Parrot
  • 3rd Place- Tickets Bar & Grille

Annual Tropical Drink Contest at Gas Lamp Grille on Sunday, February 17th;

  • 1st Place- Red Parrot
  • 2nd Place- Skiff Bar at the Marriott
  • 3rd Place- Stoneacre Brasserie

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...