BEYOND THE PLATE WITH CAROL

From corporate attorney to NH Winery of the Year — Amy LaBelle's 4,083-day journey to building one of New Hampshire's most beloved hospitality destinations.In this episode, Amy gets real about what it takes to build something that goes way beyond wine — two award-winning restaurants, a golf course, a holiday light show that draws 80,000 visitors, and a luxury guest house in the works.We talk about:→ The moment she knew wine alone wouldn't survive in New England→ Why hospitality is "like a theater performance every single day"→ Building an all-women winemaking team (only 2% of wineries globally are founded by women)→ The fresh fruit initiative feeding hungry kids through End 68 Hours of Hunger→ Why you don't have to be a "trust fund baby" to start a business🔔 BREAKING NEWS: Amy announces LaBelle is launching a DISTILLERY in 2026!Plus: Her best advice for entrepreneurs, 8 proposals at LaBelle Lights this winter, and what she's most proud of (hint: it's not the awards).📍 LaBelle Winery: LaBelleWinery.com📍 Amy's personal brand: AmyLaBelle.com📱 Instagram: @labellewinery | @amylabellewinemaker🔺@AmyLaBelleWinemaker —⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 — Intro: Who is Amy LaBelle?1:00 — Where to find LaBelle Winery online1:55 — When did this stop being just a winery?3:55 — The early days: Making wine in a barn5:34 — 4,083 days from dream to doors7:24 — "Unreasonable Hospitality" & the theater of it all8:36 — Harvest House update (and the town delay)9:28 — The vision: Wake up in a winery11:01 — DiRōNA Award & OpenTable's 100 Best Brunch13:32 — A day in the life of Amy LaBelle13:45 — Meet Melanie: The winemaker running the cellar17:00 — Working with Caesar: Staying in your lane20:50 — Caesar's immigration story & "Frankie the Ghost Train"22:18 — Empowering Angels: Only 2% of wineries are founded by women23:04 — 🚨 BREAKING: Distillery coming 2026!24:00 — End 68 Hours of Hunger: Fresh fruit for kids27:01 — 2025 Woman of Distinction27:47 — "You don't have to be a trust fund baby"29:07 — Cooking classes & Start a Business from Scratch33:44 — What NH hospitality gets right35:10 — Inside Americus: The moody, sexy restaurant37:07 — LaBelle Lights: 8 proposals this winter40:24 — Lightning Round 🔥44:53 — What she's most proud of (this one hits)46:26 — Outro—BEYOND THE PLATE WITH CAROLHosted by Carol Lawrence — owner of Red Arrow Diner and 35+ year veteran of the New Hampshire hospitality industry. Each week, Carol sits down with the people behind NH's restaurants, bars, and food businesses to hear what drives them beyond the plate.🎙️ New episodes every TuesdayCONNECT WITH CAROL & BEYOND THE PLATE:📺 YouTube: @beyondtheplatewithcarol📸 Instagram: @beyondtheplatenh | @CarolSew📘 Facebook: Beyond the Plate NH🎵 TikTok: @nhbeyondtheplateRED ARROW DINERFour locations across New Hampshire — Manchester, Concord, Nashua & Londonderry. Open 24/7, serving scratch-made food since 1922.🌐 redarrowdiner.com📸 Instagram: @redarrow24diner📘 Facebook: Red Arrow Diner#BeyondThePlate #LaBelleWinery #AmyLaBelle #NewHampshire #NHWinery #WomenInWine #Hospitality #Entrepreneur #NHFood #RedArrowDiner

Ben Normandeau was an electrician when the pandemic hit. Bored, he picked up a Weber kettle and started smoking meat. Then he cold-called over 50 of the best barbecue joints in Texas — only Joseph at Zavala’s BBQ in Grand Prairie responded. Ben flew down, showed up at 2 in the morning, and trained. He came home, built a food truck, parked it in his mom’s driveway, and 603 BBQ was born.Now he and pitmaster Andrew Moran run one of the most talked-about barbecue spots in New England. Lines out the door every day. Sold out every day. People driving from Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut just to get in line.In this episode we cover the full journey: training in Texas, the 13-hour smoking process, what it’s like selling out daily, the craziest customer stories, the menu, their dream collaborations, and a charity dinner with Tuckaway Tavern coming April 18th.This episode is proudly sponsored by Red Arrow Diner — four locations across New Hampshire, open 24/7. redarrowdiner.comFIND 603 BBQ:• Location: 126 Hall Street, Unit A, Concord, NH• Hours: Thu–Sat, 12pm–6pm (or sold out)• Website: bbqnh.com• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/603bbq/100075863953612/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/603bbq• Phone: (603) 333-5387BEYOND THE PLATE WITH CAROL:Real stories. Real people. Real conversations. Carol Lawrence- Erickson is the owner of the iconic Red Arrow Diners — open 24/7 in Manchester, Londonderry, Concord, and Nashua. Each episode, she sits down with entrepreneurs, chefs, and community leaders for honest conversations about food, business, and everything in between.📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@beyondtheplatewithcarol📘 Facebook: facebook.com/beyondtheplatenh📸 Instagram: instagram.com/beyondtheplatenh/🔗 Red Arrow Diner: redarrowdiner.comTIMESTAMPS 0:00 — Intro & Teaser1:35 — Welcome & Red Arrow Diner Sponsor2:08 — Where to Find 603 BBQ2:49 — Ben’s Journey: Electrician to BBQ4:22 — How Andrew Got Involved (Smoke Show Roots)6:10 — What the Families Thought7:35 — Cold-Calling Zavala’s BBQ in Texas9:22 — Training in Texas at 2AM12:24 — Going Back to Texas & Opening Day13:35 — What Joseph Taught Him: “Just Let It Ride”15:25 — Sharing Recipes & the Brisket Class17:29 — Andrew’s Typical Day: Life on the Smokers21:45 — The 8-Hour Cook Just to Open at Noon24:00 — Working in the Elements27:38 — Walk-Through: What to Expect at 603 BBQ29:40 — First Sold-Out Day (Day One)31:15 — The New Ordering System & Wait Times33:08 — The Menu: Sausages, Texas Twinkies & More37:20 — Texas Twinkies: 75 Lbs of Jalapeños by Hand39:00 — People Driving from All Over the Map39:52 — Pittsburgh Guys: 9-Hour Drive Story40:32 — Ray from Connecticut: Slept in His Car Story42:15 — Selling Out Every Day: Stress or Motivation?43:42 — Guy Fieri Dream & Bobby Marcotte Connection44:48 — April 18th Charity Dinner with Tuckaway Tavern47:09 — What’s Next for 603 BBQ50:17 — Concord Roots: Born & Raised51:58 — Shout Out to the Team53:14 — Lightning Round54:26 — Advice for Starting a Food Business57:03 — Favorite Spots to Eat in Concord59:01 — Dream Collaborations: Guy Fieri & Dave Portnoy1:00:47 — Closing & Thank You

What does it take to leave a corporate kitchen and build something of your own for 25 years?In this episode of Beyond the Plate with Carol, I sit down with Lisa DeSisto, owner of Rig A' Tony's Italian Takeout & Catering in Derry, NH and Clam Haven. Lisa left Bertucci's in 2000 to start Rig A' Tony's — and she's been a Derry staple ever since. In 2020, she bought the 70-year-old Clam Haven to preserve its legacy and keep the tradition alive.If you've seen her on WMUR Chronicle, you already know — she's hilarious, she's passionate, and she's the real deal. This is her very first podcast ever.WE TALK ABOUT:Leaving Bertucci's to start Rig A' Tony's in 200025 years of feeding families in DerryBuying Clam Haven to save a 70-year traditionHer son Anthony and carrying on the legacyAll those Chronicle appearances (and the famous bloopers 😂)What it really takes to survive in the restaurant businessFamily recipes and doing things the right wayTIMESTAMPS:0:00 - IntroCONNECT WITH LISA & RIG A' TONY'S:🔗 Website: rigatonysitalian.com📍 Location: 38 W Broadway, Derry, NH📘 Facebook: Rig A' Tony's Italian Takeout & Catering📸 Instagram: @rigatonysitalianCLAM HAVEN:📍 Derry, NH📘 Facebook: facebook.com/clamhavenBEYOND THE PLATE WITH CAROL:Real stories. Real people. Real conversations. Carol Lawrence- Erikson is the owner of the iconic Red Arrow Diners — open 24/7 in Manchester, Londonderry, Concord, and Nashua. Each episode, she sits down with entrepreneurs, chefs, and community leaders for honest conversations about food, business, and hospitality.📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@beyondtheplatewithcarol📘 Facebook: facebook.com/beyondtheplatenh📸 Instagram: @beyondtheplatenh 🔗 Red Arrow Diner: redarrowdiner.com—#LisaDeSisto #RigATonys #ClamHaven #DerryNH #NewHampshire #ItalianFood #Chronicle #WMUR #BeyondThePlate #CarolLawrence #RedArrowDiner #NHRestaurants #NHEats #FamilyRecipes #NewEngland #SmallBusiness

What does it take to run a restaurant for 25 years? Chef Jeffrey Paige and his wife Peaches have the answer.In this episode of Beyond the Plate with Carol, I sit down with the couple behind Cotton in Manchester's Millyard. Jeffrey started washing dishes at 13 and was an executive chef by 21. He cooked for Julia Child, got featured on Good Morning America, wrote a cookbook that sold over 300,000 copies, and pioneered farm-to-table in New Hampshire back in 1991 — long before it was trendy.Peaches runs the front of house and is the mastermind behind Cotton's award-winning cocktail program. Together, they've built one of Manchester's most beloved restaurants — and they just signed a new 10-year lease.WE TALK ABOUT:Jeffrey's journey from dishwasher at 13 to executive chef at 21Cooking for Julia Child (multiple times!)Getting on Good Morning AmericaFarm-to-table before it was a trendThe CIA and being named a Top 100 alumniPeaches' cocktail philosophy and best martinis in NH25 years of Cotton and what's nextThe famous popcorn shrimp and buttermilk fried chickenWhy they've never eaten together at their own restaurantCONNECT WITH COTTON:🔗 Website: cottonfood.com📍 Location: 75 Arms Street, Manchester NH (Millyard)📘 Facebook: Cotton Restaurant- facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064358671810📸 Instagram: @cottonrestaurant

How do you spend 20 years building relationships in one city — and then find an even better way to give back?In this episode of Beyond the Plate with Carol, I sit down with Erik Lesniak, Business Liaison for the City of Manchester's Economic Development Office. Erik spent nearly two decades with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats before stepping into a brand-new role helping small businesses navigate and thrive in Manchester.WE TALK ABOUT:20 years with the Fisher Cats and why he made the jumpWhat a Business Liaison actually does (hint: it's all about relationships)The Salvation Army and ringing bells since 2005His son Jaden's miracle story — 47 days in the NICUBeing named 2025 St. Patrick's Parade Grand MarshalWhy walking Manchester every day mattersDave's Hot Chicken and recruiting businesses to the cityHis favorite lunch spot: Dun Thai—CONNECT WITH MANCHESTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:🔗 Website: manchesternh.gov📘 Facebook: Manchester Economic Development OfficeMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:🍗 Dave's Hot Chicken🍜 Dun Thai (South Maple Street)⚾ New Hampshire Fisher Cats🔔 Salvation Army of Manchester🛍️ Mall of New Hampshire—BEYOND THE PLATE WITH CAROL:Real stories. Real people. Real conversations. Carol Lawrence is the owner of the iconic Red Arrow Diners — open 24/7 in Manchester, Londonderry, Concord, and Nashua. Each episode, she sits down with entrepreneurs, chefs, and community leaders for honest conversations about food, business, and everything in between.📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@beyondtheplatewithcarol📘 Facebook: facebook.com/beyondtheplatenh🔗 Red Arrow Diner: redarrowdiner.com—#ErikLesniak #ManchesterNH #QueenCity #NewHampshire #FisherCats #SalvationArmy #GrandMarshal #BeyondThePlate #CarolLawrence #RedArrowDiner #NHBusiness #EconomicDevelopment #SmallBusiness #CommunityLeaders #NewEngland

How do restaurant menus actually get made? In this episode of Beyond the Plate with Carol, Chef Nicole Barrera — Director of Marketing & Menus at Great NH Restaurants — shares how she went from busing tables at 14 to writing the menus for T-Bones, Cactus Jack's, and Copper Door in New Hampshire.We talk about:-How restaurant menus are developed-The story behind her famous pink chef jacket-FEED NH and giving back over $1M to New Hampshire communities-Why CTE culinary programs matter-Work ethic, women in culinary leadership, and building a career in hospitalityTIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Intro0:00 - Nicole's culinary journey starts at 140:00 - The pager story0:00 - Annie V's and early restaurant jobs0:00 - SNHU culinary program0:00 - Getting hired at T-Bones0:00 - The pink chef jacket story0:00 - How menus actually get made0:00 - FEED NH and giving back0:00 - Advice for young people in hospitalityCONNECT WITH CHEF NICOLE & GREAT NH RESTAURANTS:🔗 Website: https://greatnhrestaurants.com🔗 T-Bones: https://t-bones.com🔗 FEED NH: https://feednh.org📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/chef.tbones📸 Instagram: @greatnhrestaurantsBEYOND THE PLATE WITH CAROL:Beyond the Plate is a New Hampshire podcast hosted by Carol Lawrence, owner of Red Arrow Diner. Each episode features real conversations with chefs, restaurant owners, and community leaders about food, business, and hospitality in New Hampshire.📺 Subscribe: https://youtube.com/@beyondtheplatewithcarol📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/beyondtheplatenh🔗 Red Arrow Diner: https://redarrowdiner.com—#ChefNicoleBarrera #TBones #CopperDoor #CactusJacks #GreatNHRestaurants #FEEDNH #NewHampshire #NHEats #BeyondThePlate #CarolLawrence #RedArrowDiner #WomenInCulinary #ChefLife #RestaurantLife #HospitalityPodcast #NHPodcast #NewHampshireFood

Shelby Rossetti didn't plan on a restaurant career when she walked into a Ground Round at 18 to pay for college—but she met her husband there, made great money, and never looked back. Thirty years later, after managing TGI Fridays locations across New England (including opening AND closing the South Willow location) and running her own weighted blanket business, she's now the General Manager at Evviva Trattoria in Bedford, bringing her decades of hospitality experience to this family-owned modern Italian concept.From signature Italian Street Fries to creating a team culture that "feels like home," Shelby shares what makes Evviva special, how her journey brought her full circle in New England's restaurant industry, and why she'd be an electrician if she wasn't running restaurants.Visit Evviva Trattoria Bedford: 📍 Website: www.evvivatrattoria.com/bedford 📱 Instagram: @evvivatrattoria 👍 Facebook: www.facebook.com/evvivatrattoriaAbout Carol Lawrence: Carol Lawrence is the owner of the iconic Red Arrow Diners and host of Beyond the Plate, a podcast celebrating the people, stories, and passion behind New England's hospitality industry.Follow Beyond the Plate: Instagram: @beyondtheplatenh Facebook: @beyondtheplatenh Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts#RestaurantManagement #NewEnglandRestaurants #HospitalityIndustry #EvvivaTrattoria #BedfordNH #ItalianRestaurant #CareerJourney #RedArrowDiner #BeyondThePlate #WomenInHospitality

Episode 27 is all about the heart and hustle behind La Carreta S. Willow Manchester NH! Jefferson Moreno Rivera shares how this spot keeps evolving, and Krystal jumps in with the kind of behind‑the‑bar magic that keeps the place glowing. Food, vibes, stories — this one has it all.

Big flavor, big personality, and big achievements — Episode 26 brings Bobby Marcotte to the table! The chef behind Tuckaway Tavern, Hop & Grind, Rise & Grind, and The Barn at Merry Hill, whose work has caught national eyes far beyond New Hampshire. We dive into creativity, hustle, and what it takes to stand out. You don’t want to miss this one!

I sat down with Judi Window of Diz’s Cafe—a true Manchester NH pillar. We talk front-of-house hospitality, Gary running the back, a crew full of family, and why you might literally be eating off your great-grandmother’s plate. Eclectic, funky, warm… this is what “supper” feels like downtown.