Welcome back, friends, to another episode of Flavors andKnowledge, where we explore food, culture, and history from a chef’s perspective. I’m Chef Walter and today; we’re taking a journey through my home state of Rhode Island—the smallest state in the U.S. but one packed with a history as rich as its culinary traditions.

 Don’t let its size fool you—Rhode Island has played an outsized role in shaping America’s past and present. It’s a place of rebellion, innovation, and culinary gems that deserve the spotlight. So, grab a coffee milk—our official state drink—and let’s dig in.

 A Colony Built on Freedom

Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, who dared to challenge the Puritan authorities in Massachusetts. He believed in religious freedom and individual liberties, something unheard of in those days. Instead of submitting to persecution, he struck out on his own and established Providence, a colony where all were welcome—well before the idea of the First Amendment was conceived.

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