New cooking series dishes out town information

In most homes and some offices, kitchens are simply a place to cook a meal, but in the Dartmouth Community Media office, the kitchen and break room doubles as a film studio.

Equipped with not only a stove and oven, the kitchen features a forward facing island, studio lighting and enough space to fit cameras and a camera crew.

While originally designed this way for a film series with Coastline Elderly Services over 10 years ago, Dartmouth Community Media now also uses the space to film a new series they’re calling ‘What’s Cooking in Town.’

The series features town employees as they make a simple, signature dish while talking about something happening in Dartmouth.

“It’s a great way to get some of the town’s information out and in a different format,” said Director of Media Peter Chasse.

Communications Coordinator Magnolia McComish came up with the idea after she saw the kitchen in the Dartmouth Community Media’s office and realized a cooking show could be used to talk about what’s happening in town.

“I don’t want learning about the town and being informed to be a chore because it shouldn’t be,” she said. “I feel like this is a way for people to enjoy finding out what’s going on in town.”

The most recent video featured Dartmouth Public Schools Superintendent June Saba-Maguire, who discussed the district’s new strategic plan while making baked macaroni and cheese.

As a part of the show, McComish facilitates the conversation with the guests while she helps prepare the meal.

“I’m cutting potatoes, but I’m also like, ‘So, what’s your favorite part of your job?’” she said.

Part of the goal for the series is making it so viewers are not only passively learning about the town but also learning recipes they could make, such as pizza grilled cheese Youth Advocate Deloris Joseph made, McComish said.

“We’re looking for simple, easy dishes that anyone can do,” Chasse said. “Because that’s part of the fun of it too — people can try these dishes.”

The format of the videos are also meant to engage viewers.

“I mean, yeah, we could be in front of the camera, do a regular interview, but, you know, no one really wants to watch that anymore,” Chasse said.

McComish is currently looking to film episodes that are going to be relevant all year round.

So far, most of the episodes will only be relevant for so long, she said, such as one episode that was about the town administrator search.

Most recently, Dartmouth Community Media filmed with the Director of Libraries Dina St. Pierre to talk about the different library services, many of which the libraries are always offering, such as book clubs and baby sing-along times.

“This is an episode that will always be relevant,” McComish said.

Other upcoming episodes include one with Dartmouth Public Schools Chief Technology Officer Jonathon Gallishaw, who will talk about the launch of the district’s new website and the changes that were made.

McComish said she thinks they could also take the show “on the road” with episodes such as one with Parks and Recreation at the Bucket or using the grill at the Council on Aging.

“We’re not doing brain surgery here,” she said. “We’re talking about important things in town, but we’re having fun while we’re doing it.”