Chef Ryan Dawson wants to give the region a new dining option.
He’s a personal chef living in Peterborough, and some of his favorite events to cater are intimate dinners. Dawson and his family moved to the area on a whim 2 1/2 years ago after visiting for ice cream at Charlie’s Olde Tyme Creamery. Since living here, he has noticed that a lot of restaurants have pretty limited hours.
“All these restaurants are shutting down early. I’m still available to cook you dinner,” he said.
Dawson is hoping to get the word out about his business and pick up more local clients. Recently he has traveled to Vermont, Massachusetts and other parts of New Hampshire for catering events, but wants to establish himself in the Monadnock region.
Dawson has always been interested in cooking. He remembers watching his mother and grandmother in the kitchen as a child and being curious about the process. Then, in 2012, he went to tour Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Boston, located in Cambridge, Mass., which has since closed.
“That same day, I signed up,” Dawson said.
Seven months later, he graduated with a culinary degree. He worked in a few restaurant kitchens, including Tuscan Kitchen in Salem. There, they offered catering as well as dining services, and one day the owner asked Dawson if he could work as a personal chef for a group of Catholic teachers.
“I was in their house. I was able to make my own menus,” Dawson said. “I was really into being my own boss, making my own schedule.”
In 2018, Dawson left the restaurant scene for good to start his own business. He was physically and mentally exhausted from working long, hard hours in restaurant kitchens, and working for himself gave him a sense of freedom.
“I’ve gone to Vermont, Maine, all of New England,” Dawson said. “My plan was to travel around the U.S. and offer my services.”
But he has chosen to stay closer to home as his family has grown. He and his wife had their third child a couple weeks ago.
Dawson said he’s known for his roasted chicken with parmesan risotto. He comes from an Italian family, so Italian food has always been special to him.
“I love comfort food, smoked meats. I do fancy. A little bit of everything,” he said. “I love charcuterie boards – seeing their eyes light up as it’s all coming together. For me, I feel that [food] is a conversation piece. It connects people. As they’re watching me put the food together, I love when people ask questions.”
The slogan on Dawson’s business card is, “Leaving hearts satisfied and bellies full.” He reflected on his cooking career and remembered the negative comments and people who didn’t believe in him along the way.
“I didn’t give up. I took it as constructive criticism,” Dawson said.
And he’s glad he stuck with it. He has inspired friends and he’s happier. He gets to spend more time with his family.
“I knew I wanted to do it. I knew I wanted to cook. I knew it wouldn’t be easy,” said Dawson.
Dawson specializes in small to medium catering services, mostly events under 60 people and date-night dinners. He can be contacted at 603-966-0066 or chefryandawson1981@gmail.com. He can be found on Facebook and Instagram, as well.