Category: Q&A

In the kitchen with Keith Wilson

Keith Wilson of Brentwood is the production chef of Dunk’s Mushrooms (313 Route 125, Brentwood, dunksmushrooms.com), which grows several varieties of gourmet mushrooms and makes weekly deliveries to multiple New England communities. In addition to making all kinds of specialty mushroom-based products like jerky, pot pies and coffee, the business offers other non-mushroom prepared items under the name Dunk’s Kitchen. Wilson and Dunk’s owner William “Dunk” Dunkerley regularly hold multi-course mushroom-focused dinners — a nine-dinner vegan series wrapped up late last year, and an omnivore series is currently underway. Dunk’s Mushrooms can also be found on dozens of restaurant menus across the Granite State. Wilson has been in the restaurant industry for nearly two decades — outside of Dunk’s, he and his wife Amber, of Stout Oak Farm in Brentwood, own The Seed Chef, an in-home catering and private event service.

What is your must-have kitchen item?

A tasting spoon, because you’ve got to be tasting your own food to know what you’re doing.

What would you have for your last meal?

I’m a sucker for really good sushi. I like the simple stuff, like a regular tuna nigiri.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

There are so many good restaurants. It’s impossible to choose.

What celebrity would you like to see trying something that you’ve made?

I’m going to go with Christopher Walken, just because, if he liked it, I’d want to hear his voice saying ‘Oh my God, this is so good!’

What is your favorite product to make for Dunk’s Mushrooms?

There’s one thing that we made a lot of last year that I really love. It’s a black trumpet maple syrup. … We had a good amount of black trumpet mushrooms from the woods around here [and] I took like four gallons of Grade A dark amber maple syrup and simmered it with all of the mushrooms in a big cauldron that we have. It has this great smoky, savory flavor that I can’t even really describe. I used it a lot to sweeten vegan cheesecakes and stuff.

What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?

Mushrooms, obviously. … The food system is damaged in a lot of ways, and meat production can be an issue, [but] mushrooms really help fill that void if people let them and they know how to prepare them properly. That’s part of the reason why our vegan series was so successful, because we were doing essentially what would have been meat-based meals, but with mushrooms in their place.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

I’ve got four kids and a crazy schedule sometimes, so there’s a lot of meals that just kind of get thrown together. … But if it’s a rare night when it’s just me and my wife and I get to cook something for her, it’s always nice to do that. Stuffed chicken breast is what she wants me to make for her right now, because I made it at the last dinner. … It’s a goat cheese stuffed breast wrapped in bacon with asparagus.

Gorgonzola mushroom spread
From the kitchen of Keith Wilson of Dunk’s Mushrooms in Brentwood (yields about six to 10 servings)

¼ pound Dunk’s chestnut mushrooms, chopped
2 Tablespoons butter, unsalted
¼ cup red wine (sherry or port work well)
2 sprigs fresh thyme leaves, pulled from stem and chopped
10 ounces Gorgonzola cheese
2 to 4 Tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon salt
¼ Tablespoon black pepper

Gather all ingredients. In a heavy-bottom sauce or saute pan, melt the butter. Add mushrooms and saute over medium-high heat. Cook until mushrooms turn a dark golden brown. Turn down heat and add thyme, salt and wine. Cook until all wine is reduced and the pan is dry. Allow the mixture to cool. In a food processor, combine cheese, cream, salt, pepper and the cooled mushrooms. Blend until smooth, using more or less cream depending on the consistency. Serve as a spread on toast or as a dip.

Featured photo: Keith Wilson. Courtesy photo.

On The Job – Michelle ‘Mo’ Wheeler

Michelle ‘Mo’ Wheeler

Clothing designer

Michelle “Mo” Wheeler of Merrimack is the founder, CEO and designer of Doublesolid Apparel, an online clothing store with designs that encourage conversation about mental health. A portion of all Doublesolid’s sales is donated to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) New Hampshire and other mental health organizations.

Explain your job and what it entails.

My husband often collaborates with me on the artwork, but I’m responsible for everything else, from designing products, updating the website, marketing, budgeting, SEO and everything in between. … Our designs are mainly inspired by my mental health journey, what I’ve seen, what I’ve felt and what I’ve learned while trying to live a balanced life with bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD and conversion disorder diagnosis. Our designs are intentionally bold to instigate conversation, because the stigma of mental illness keeps many of us sick and often unable to access the care we desperately need. Talking about mental illness can literally save a life; it’s definitely saved mine. As a rape survivor and a suicide attempt survivor, I want to reach as many people with my story as possible, because we’re not alone … and when we feel connected, we feel better.

What led you to this career field?

I’ve been working since I was 13. I’ve always loved to work, but over the years, my mental struggles have made it tougher to maintain employment. I began experiencing seizures and other physical ailments, which also made stress-relief difficult. I was an active triathlete, but that, too, had to change. I knew I had to feel like an active member of the community, so I combined my work as a mental health advocate and my work experience into the idea for Doublesolid Apparel and voila — I’m creating, networking and benefitting the community.

What kind of education or training did you need?

I have a degree in psychology and a certificate in photography … but none of that was required to do what I’m doing now. I’ve built up skills from the many different jobs and training I’ve had throughout life, and I figured out a way to do what I wanted to do, at my age, without starting all over again.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

It could be sweats, pajamas or a polka dot skirt with fishnets and my Doublesolid favorites. It depends what I’m doing. If I’m in a meeting, that’s one type of outfit. If I’m at home designing, that’s another.

What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?

Patience with myself. I want to learn everything right now, and that’s impossible. I keep learning, and I’ll keep making mistakes, but that’s all part of creating something. The symptoms of my mental illness cause me to question myself constantly and feel less-than and unworthy. Having patience with myself is crucial to my success as an entrepreneur, and that’s a hard thing to accept and learn.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

It’s tough for me to do this as I never feel adequate. It may not seem like much, but for me to take something I created and put it in front of others scares me something silly. Nevertheless, I put my heart and soul into it all, so having anyone interested in it is mindblowing,.

What was the first job you ever had?

I can’t remember if it was cleaning rooms at the Abbot Inn or [working at] Dunkin’ Donuts in Hudson. Regardless, it was back in the days of aluminum ashtrays … and me having to wear a terrible uniform made of polyester and sandpaper.

What is the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?

My husband, Chad, my biggest supporter and the other half of Doublesolid’s design team, constantly reminds me that I can do whatever I set my mind to. Having that support helps to keep me going and reaching beyond the stars.

Five favorites

Favorite book: The Grapes of Wrath
Favorite movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Favorite music: Elvis Presley and Sex Pistols
Favorite food: Italian
Favorite thing about NH: Its peacefulness and beauty

Featured photo: Michelle ‘Mo’ Wheeler. Courtesy photo.

The bigger picture

NH Travel and Tourism director joins national travel board

Lori Harnois, director of the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs Division of Travel and Tourism, has been elected to serve a two-year term on the U.S. Travel Association’s board of directors. She talked about the opportunity and the intersection between her work in New Hampshire and the part she plays in national issues.

What is your background in travel and tourism?

This is my second time serving in this role as director of travel and tourism for New Hampshire. I [returned] at the end of February 2020, a month before Covid hit. Before that, I was working for Discover New England, which is a marketing organization that promotes the New England region as a travel destination to the overseas traveler. Before that, I was in this role I’m in now. I feel fortunate that I was able to come back to this role to promote the state that I live in and tell everybody why New Hampshire is a great place to come and visit.

What does your role as director of New Hampshire’s Division of Travel and Tourism entail?

Our department’s role is to promote New Hampshire as a travel destination, both domestically and internationally, for the purposes of increasing business, the business economy and the workforce, all centered around travel and tourism. We head up all the marketing efforts that promote New Hampshire as a travel destination, like the state’s website visitnh.gov and a guidebook on New Hampshire that’s given out to travelers, encouraging them to come here. We’re also responsible for a grant program that provides assistance to chambers of commerce and other destination marketing organizations, such as Ski NH, the White Mountains Attractions Association and the Lakes Region Tourism Association, to help them pay for their marketing efforts. Since the pandemic, we’ve also been helping [the state’s industries] work through workforce issues by encouraging people to consider moving and living … playing or working here, and we’ve been trying to help the tourism industry recover, because it was actually the industry that was hit the hardest as a result of the pandemic.

What is the function of the U.S. Travel Association board of directors?

It’s a fairly large board — at least 125 people, I’d say — with CEOs from a variety of different organizations, such as Expedia and Disney World, as well as [representatives from] states, like myself. … Some of the main issues this national organization has focused on are things like reopening the international borders during the pandemic; workforce … and the importance of international workers; … and trying to help the [tourism] industry recover from the pandemic … by encouraging [a return to] in-person meetings and traveling for business. … The board meets three times a year. … We just had a meeting two weeks ago.

What are some of the issues the board discussed at the last meeting?

Promoting the U.S. as a travel destination to international travelers for the purposes of restarting international travel was a big priority that we were discussing. We talked about the international workforce … and how to speed along the visa-processing time, because there’s quite a lag right now between when someone applies for a visa and when they can actually come here to work. … We talked about how we can change the [public’s] perception of jobs within the tourism sector and [show that] there are good-paying jobs, not just low-paying jobs, and that there are opportunities to grow and climb the ladder quickly. We talked about updating and maintaining our country’s infrastructure, like our roads and our airports, to increase travel mobility; how technology plays a role in that; and how we can do it in the right manner to [meet] the need for sustainability.

How does being on the national board inform your work in New Hampshire?

There are a lot of things on the national scale that we look at and think about how we can mimic those efforts at a state level in New Hampshire. … There were also breakout sessions for state tourism directors like myself, where we were able to talk about what we do, what’s been working for us and how we can potentially take some of those ideas and implement them in our own states.

How does representation from New Hampshire inform the national board’s work?

Being part of the U.S. Travel Association board of directors allows New Hampshire to have a voice on a national level … and express our concerns on certain issues. … I can take stories from the companies here in New Hampshire and share those with people in the U.S. Travel Association, who can then communicate to Capitol Hill what is going on in the states and what issues need to be addressed … with some type of policy change. That’s how New Hampshire has a direct impact [on a national level].

Featured photo: Lori Harnois

In the kitchen with Saurav Goel

Saurav Goel of Nashua is the general manager of Raga Contemporary Kitchen (138 Main St., Nashua, 459-8566, find them on Facebook @raganashua), overseeing its kitchen and bar operations. Raga opened in downtown Nashua last October, its menu made up of a variety of items inspired by Indian street foods. Options include a selection of curries, like tikka masala and korma masala, as well as various starters, burgers and wraps. There is also an emphasis on cocktails, which feature many of the same ingredients traditionally used in Indian cooking — Streets of Mumbai, for instance, is a vodka-based cocktail handcrafted with fresh ginger and curry leaves, while American Dreams is smoked with bourbon and a blend of amaretto and fresh lime. Raga, which gets its name from the Sanskrit word meaning “melody,” is known for featuring a regular schedule of live music every week, including acoustic acts on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, jazz performers on Sundays and karaoke nights on Tuesdays.

What is your must-have kitchen item?

I would say a santoku knife. Santoku, in Japanese, means it is a “three virtues” knife. It is used in the kitchen for cutting, slicing and chopping … so that’s why it’s very handy and useful.

What would you have for your last meal?

A humble bowl of kadhi pakora and rice, which is a traditional dish from Northern India.

What is your favorite local restaurant?

I’m very new [to the area] … so I haven’t experienced many local eateries, but one which I really like is Bagel Alley. That’s one of my favorites.

What celebrity would you like to see eating in your restaurant?

Without a doubt, Gordon Ramsay. I consider him a mentor in many ways.

What is your favorite thing on your menu?

The Delhi aloo chaat is probably one of my favorites. … They are basically potato fritters, stuffed with lentils, finished with a dollop of fresh yogurt, sweet and sour chutneys, freshly chopped onion and tomato, and then garnished with fried vermicelli.

What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?

I think more and more people are moving toward vegetarian or vegan [items]. … We get a lot of guests every single day who are asking for vegetarian or vegan options, and they are really happy to see that we have so many of them on our menu.

What is your favorite thing to cook at home?

I like to cook dhal fry, which is an Indian dish with lentils, and some steamed rice. It’s the easiest and the healthiest thing that I would prepare at home.

Mint chutney (mint dipping sauce)
Courtesy of Saurav Goel of Raga Contemporary Kitchen in Nashua

2 cups mint leaves
1 cup cilantro
2 green chili peppers
1 Tablespoon grated ginger
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon sugar
Salt to taste
½ cup water

Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend at low speed until the ingredients start to mix, then increase the speed and blend into a smooth paste. Stop and stir the ingredients a couple of times if necessary.

Featured photo: Saurav Goel. Courtesy photo.

On The Job – Colin Campbell

Colin Campbell

Pressure washer technician

Colin Campbell co-owns and -operates PressureWorks, a pressure wash and deep cleaning service based in Sandown.

Explain your job and what it entails.

I mainly do pressure washing, but I also offer on-the-road car detailing services. My pressure washer makes it easy to do driveways, the outside of homes and cars, so I figured, why not include them all? I mainly deal with all the customers, while also keeping up … all aspects of the work, from setting up the job, to cleaning underneath the seats of cars.

How long have you had this job?

I’ve been doing work for customers for about a month, but just recently registered as an LLC.

What led you to this career field and your current job?

I told myself that I didn’t want to work for someone else anymore. I wanted to be my own boss, make my own decisions, and not only reap all the benefits of it, but feel proud of the work I was doing. My friend and I heard a lot about pressure washing businesses being started online, and I began to look into it. After a few weeks of planning, I finally had enough tools to complete some simple jobs. I continued to study and do research while practicing with my pressure washer, and I realized not only was it not too difficult, but I actually enjoyed it and definitely did feel proud of my work.

What kind of education or training did you need?

I didn’t need any specific schooling for this, but I think extensive research or professional training is necessary to do this, though. I spent countless nights researching to ensure that I knew more than enough to answer customers’ questions and complete the jobs right.

What is your typical at-work uniform or attire?

When I’m working, I like to wear a pair of jeans and weatherproof boots. When pressure washing, it gets a bit wet, and sometimes it’s impossible to avoid the splashback on your legs and torso. For a shirt, I generally wear a plain, blank, polyester T-shirt that allows my body to breathe in the scorching sun during the summer.

What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?

I wish that I had prepared a little more with some of the tools I needed, or had gotten a truck instead of an SUV two years ago. I’m able to make it work out of an SUV, but a pickup truck would make it a thousand times easier.

What do you wish other people knew about your job?

That it’s very simple and very cheap to get into this business. I was able to borrow most of my equipment and only had to order a few things that I needed, but, overall, I was able to start this business and complete my first few jobs with just a few hundred dollars. I think just about anyone with a big enough vehicle can start up their business and start making profit with under $1,000, [which] is quite inexpensive.

What was the first job you ever had?

My first job was at a Christmas tree farm. I worked there from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve for two years when I was around 12 years old, and it was a great starting job. I’d deal with customers and practice my sales pitches by trying to sell them certain trees, hoping to get them to buy the biggest one. Then, if they wanted me to, I’d do the manual labor of cutting down the tree with a handsaw … and putting it on top of their car.

What’s the best piece of work-related advice you’ve ever received?

To never blindly take someone’s advice just because they seem knowledgeable, and don’t be afraid to make your own path. I need to believe in myself to continue to grow and not listen to anyone else. I accept help, but make my own decisions.

Five favorites

Favorite book: The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens
Favorite movie: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Favorite music: Hip-hop and rap
Favorite food: Tacos
Favorite thing about NH: My whole family is here.

Featured photo: Colin Campbell. Courtesy photo.

Connected cause

A look at a local effort to help Ukraine

Following “An Evening for Ukraine: Art Exhibition & Conversation,” an event she organized that was held on April 11 in Bedford, Ukrainian-American artist Katya Roberts of Bedford talked about her ongoing efforts to raise awareness and funds to help people affected by the war in Ukraine.

What’s your personal connection to Ukraine?

I was born and raised in Kyiv, which is the capital of Ukraine. My family immigrated to San Francisco, California, when I was 12.

What was going through your mind during the invasion of Ukraine in February?

When I went to bed the night of Feb. 23, knowing armed forces from Russia were … beginning to cross over [into Ukraine] and bombings were starting to happen, I was just devastated. I cried myself to sleep. I fully expected I’d check the news in the morning and it’d say Ukraine is back to what it used to be, when it was part of the U.S.S.R. and under Russia’s control. I thought, ‘This is it. I’ll never be able to go back to my home country. I’ll never be able to take my kids there.’ I grieved. It’s hard to explain the feeling your homeland is as good as gone … but it’s been amazing and miraculous to see how Ukrainians have defended their homeland and are fighting for the future of their children. … I’ve gone from feeling absolute despair to feeling really proud of the Ukrainian people.

What are your main efforts?

The realization there could be no Ukraine one day terrified me, and I thought, ‘No. That’s not an option. I can’t stand still. We have to do something.’ First, I wanted to get information out there so people know what’s actually happening. … I can speak and understand Ukrainian and Russian. … There’s an online message board internal to Ukraine … and I’m translating and sharing that information … and stories from the ground on social media. … Secondly, I wanted that information to empower people here in the U.S. who want to help … so I’ve been sharing specific things people can do … like reaching out to our government representatives, voicing what the Ukrainians are dealing with, what they’re asking for and what we want to be done. The third thing I’m doing is helping raise funds for refugees. … I’ve been in contact with Inna Sovsun … who’s a Ukrainian parliament member in Kyiv … [to find out] how we can donate so [funds go] directly to people who are actually on the ground.

What’s next for you?

Combining art with a call to action is going to continue being my formula going forward. I have something in the works [to take place] probably in June. Another thing I’m working on is the idea of an ‘adopt-a-family.’ My family members in Ukraine have identified families whose stories they know intimately who are struggling. Their homes are gone, and even if they returned to the areas they came from, there’s nothing there; they have to start over. Some have family members who passed away due to war or illness because they were no longer able to receive [medical] treatment. Financial hardship is a story we’re hearing over and over; someone’s line of work is no longer viable, or they’re living in another country now that has a much higher cost of living, and they can’t find a job. … I want to take [donated funds] and send them over for [struggling families] to access directly so they can pay for food and lodging. … I’m testing this on a small scale with trusted individuals in my life … and I’ve found someone in my neighborhood … who’s also interested in doing this, so I’m going to partner with them … and pull our efforts together with other people who are thinking along the same lines so we can do this on a larger scale.

How can people join your efforts?

I’ve created a website … which I’ll be constantly updating with my current efforts and ways people can contribute. In the coming days, for example, there’ll be information on there about how to contact members of Congress, along with some sample letters. … It’ll be a great resource for people. … I’m going to limit it, though, and keep it really simple. I want to make things as easy as possible for busy people who mean well and want to help. … There’s so much being thrown at us all the time, and it’s overwhelming. Part of my work is sorting through everything and taking out a few things to bring to people’s attention. I think that’s more effective than trying to include everything.

To follow Katya Roberts and her local efforts to help Ukraine, visit katyaroberts.com/ukraine.

Featured photo: Katya Roberts

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