<p>Restaurants play an important role in society.</p><p>But according to six-time James Beard nominee <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chef_evan/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Evan Mallett</a>, that role may not be what you think it is.</p><p>Beyond serving food, Mallett believes it&#39;s the role of the restaurant - especially a successful one - to highlight diversity, support local farms, and offer a seat at the table to those who aren&#39;t often invited.</p><p>Today, the chef/owner of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/blacktrumpetnh/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Black Trumpet</a>, a legendary downtown Portsmouth restaurant, joins <a href="https://www.instagram.com/troy_farkas/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">host Troy Farkas</a> for a wide-ranging discussion about Mallett&#39;s untraditional culinary background, the WILD road that led him to open one of the Seacoast&#39;s top restaurants 20 years ago, why he&#39;s bullish on foraging and using local ingredients, and the CRITICAL role restaurants play in a community.</p><p>Plus, the origin story of Farm-a-Q, and how the 2020 murder of George Floyd led Mallett, Vida Cantina&#39;s David Vargas, and Portsmouth assistant mayor Jo Kelley to start the New England BIPOC Fest.</p><p>Click these links to learn more about <a href="https://www.newenglandbipocfest.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">BIPOC Fest</a>, <a href="https://www.blacktrumpetbistro.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Black Trumpet</a>, and <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/farm-a-q-tickets-1986842330896" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Farm-a-Q</a>. For more weekly episodes like this one, please follow &quot;Seacoast Stories&quot; here <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3zg7za9HHoJeuQN3JVTJHN?si=9ca691070a2e47f1" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">on Spotify</a> or <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seacoast-stories/id1750552627" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Apple Podcasts.</a></p><p>EPISODE CHAPTERS:</p><ul><li>SS Live at Stone Church! (00:00)</li><li>Evan Mallett&#39;s untraditional culinary background (02:02)</li><li>Working as a big food critic in Boston (09:50)</li><li>Fleeing the U.S. to become a chef in Mexico (17:20)</li><li>SPONSORS: Dermatology &amp; Skin Health + Brass Tacks Photography (28:32)</li><li>Evan &amp; Black Trumpet&#39;s role in giving back to the community (32:12)</li><li>The stresses of the restaurant industry on mental health (46:15)</li><li>SPONSOR: Studioh Salon (56:06)</li><li>Starting NE BIPOC Fest in 2020 (57:40)</li></ul><p>SPONSORS:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.brasstacksphotography.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠Brass Tacks Photography⁠⁠⁠</a>: Book your Mother&#39;s Day session for your mother, grandmother, or wife TODAY by clicking <a href="https://www.brasstacksphotography.com/family-sessions" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠this link⁠⁠⁠</a>.</li></ul><ul><li><a href="https://studhttps://dermskinhealth.com/iowellness.org/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠Dermatology &amp; Skin Health</a>: Get 15% off botox, filler, and laser treatments at all DSH locations by mentioning &quot;Seacoast Stories&quot; at checkout for the REST OF 2026! </li></ul><ul><li><a href="https://studiowellness.org/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Studioh! 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Visit <a href="https://www.3bridgesyoga.com/schedule" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠3BridgesYoga.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>, select the &quot;Seacoast Stories&quot; special, and type in promo code SEACOASTSTORIES to activate the deal.</li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/studioonecycle/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Studio One⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>: Use the code COASTIE26 at checkout on <a href="https://studioonecycling.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the Studio One website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> to unlock a 2-week trial of UNLIMITED spin, yoga, strength, pilates, and barre classes for a special price of $25 for &quot;Seacoast Stories&quot; listeners ONLY!</li></ul>