Our Gourmet: There are a few chefs in the state who have contributed a great deal to the state’s dining scene. One who really stands out is Michael Buckley with three restaurants in the Nashua area: Surf, Michael Timothy’s and Buckley’s Great Steaks.

Our Gourmet: XO, Manchester’s newest upscale restaurant, describes its food as metropolitan nouvelle cuisine with a New England flair.

When Denise LaRoche was trying to decide what dish to create for the Hood Holiday Recipe Contest she knew she wanted it to represent New England so she chose to use seafood. She paired it with a down-home favorite, cobbler, and the result was a winner.

Eating and drinking are certainly pleasures. It’s the part about cleaning up that gets most of us. That's where Make and Take Gourmet comes in.