There are signs of a changing of the guard in the restaurant scene in the state, reflected in the announcements in July of some new appointments to the
Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation board of directors: Kevin O’Donnell, owner and chef of
Giusto at Hammetts Hotel and the new
Mother Pizzeria at Long Wharf Mall, both in Newport, and Julia Broome, owner of the downtown Providence eatery
Kin Southern Table + Bar.
O’Donnell started his hospitality journey at a young age, working various roles in local establishments, including the Bonnet Shores Beach Club and Junction Pizzeria in North Kingstown, where his passion for cooking was ignited under chef Walter Slater’s mentorship.
O’Donnell pursued his passion at
Johnson & Wales University, during which time he had the opportunity to have an internship in Italy for four months. After returning to Rhode Island, he became chef de cuisine at
Trattoria del Corso in East Greenwich before returning to Italy and immersing himself in traditional Italian cuisine at Ristorante Zeppelin in Orvieto. He then explored opportunities at
Newport Restaurant Group’s Castle Hill Inn in Newport, Del Posto in New York City, and L’Office in Paris, where his fusion of French and Italian flavors earned him critical acclaim.
In 2012, O’Donnell partnered with the owners of The Salty Pig in Boston, where he played a pivotal role in creating and enhancing their pasta program. After three years, O’Donnell and co-chef Michael Lombardi embarked on a new culinary venture, opening SRV in Boston in June 2016. This Venetian-style Bacaro and wine bar quickly gained recognition. [“Bacaro” is the term Venetians use for bars that offer an “ombra” (small glass of wine) and a “cicchetto” (a small bite to eat) – an Italian take on tapas.] In addition to widespread critical acclaim, the venue received 4-star reviews and a James Beard Award nomination.
O’Donnell eventually settled back in Rhode Island, opening two successful restaurants in Newport. The latest concept, an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria, is the second in town, opening just blocks away from the iconic
Imbriglio’s Pizzeria Napoletana, owned and operated by the equally iconic Richard Sardella, who led the first wave of the restaurant boom in Newport when he opened
Sardella’s Ristorante Italiano in 1980.
Julia Broome, who has more than 10 years of experience in hospitality, catering and events, began her career at the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, connecting meeting planners and tourists with unique venues, restaurants and attractions. She then worked at Showcase Live at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Mass., coordinating weddings, product launches, VIP parties and concerts. She played a key role in the opening of the Plainridge Park Casino – the first casino in Massachusetts – handling staff hiring, training and community fundraising.
Recently, Broome worked as an account manager at Global Experience Specialists, overseeing trade shows and events for numerous clients. After being laid off during the pandemic, she pursued her dream and successfully opened her own restaurant, Kin Southern Table + Bar.
The hospitality education foundation’s mission is to develop, support and promote career growth opportunities within the hospitality industry to benefit students, organizations and the economy. This mission is achieved through the foundation’s work with youths, unemployed adults and incumbent employees. The foundation’s focus is on career awareness, providing work-readiness training and offering occupational skills training.
“Dining Out With Bruce Newbury,” syndicated weekly on radio, can be heard in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont and Indiana. Contact Bruce at bruce@brucenewbury.com.
