BEYOND THE PLATE WITH CAROL
Every once in a while, I like to take the Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast… well, beyond the plate.
And this episode? This was exactly that.
When Pamela Preventure sat down with me for Episode 12, I knew we were stepping outside the world of food for a minute — but still right into something just as meaningful.
And I have to be honest… I was a little late to the party on this one.
Granite State Escape is right across the street from our studio on Elm Street, and somehow, I had never experienced it. But the moment my husband and I finally walked in, I thought, how did I not do this sooner?
“Pam and her team don’t just run escape rooms, they build experiences.”
Stepping into something completely different
The second you walk into Granite State Escape, you realize pretty quickly… this is not just another activity.
On Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast, Pamela described it perfectly it’s about stepping into a completely different world.
You head downstairs, and everything changes.
The lighting.
The details.
The atmosphere.
From the clock walls to the themed hallways, every piece feels intentional. And that’s what struck me the most this isn’t something thrown together.
It’s designed.
Built.
Thought through.
And you can feel that immediately.
It’s not just a game — it’s connection
What I love most about this experience is what it brings out in people.
You’ve got 60 minutes.
That’s it.
And in that time, you’re communicating, problem-solving, thinking, laughing… maybe arguing a little depending on who you’re with.
And honestly?
That’s the best part.
Because it’s not really about escaping the room.
It’s about how you work together while you’re trying to do it.
And that’s something we don’t always make time for in our everyday lives.
Built from scratch, right here in Manchester
This part really impressed me.
Everything at Granite State Escape is built in-house.
Every puzzle.
Every prop.
Every experience.
There’s no template.
No corporate playbook.
This is all coming from Pam and her team’s creativity — and it shows.
On Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast, she talked about how the rooms are never really finished.
They’re always tweaking.
Always improving.
Always learning from the people who walk through the door.
And that mindset?
That’s what keeps something fresh.
Always evolving, always creating
And they’re not stopping anytime soon.
Pam shared that they’re launching a brand new concept — a head-to-head, competitive experience where teams go up against each other in real time.
I mean… how fun is that?
I already told her I want in.
Because that’s the kind of thing that keeps people coming back.
Not just doing the same experience over and over, but creating new reasons to return.
New challenges.
New energy.
New ways to connect.
The team makes the difference
You can build something beautiful.
You can create something clever.
But if the people behind it don’t care?
It shows.
And here, they clearly do.
That was one of the biggest takeaways for me.
The culture.
The energy.
The way the team interacts with guests and with each other.
It feels real.
And you can’t fake that.
Why this matters beyond the plate
This episode was such a good reminder of what Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast is really about.
Yes, I love talking about food.
Yes, restaurants are my world.
But at the end of the day, it’s about experiences.
It’s about people.
It’s about the places we go to connect, laugh, and spend time together.
And Granite State Escape is exactly that.
Final thoughts
If you haven’t been yet, go.
Grab your friends.
Your family.
Your significant other if you’re feeling brave.
And give it a try.
You’ll laugh.
You’ll be challenged.
You’ll probably learn something about each other.
And you’ll definitely leave thinking about when you’re going back.
Because the best experiences?
They stay with you.
And this is one of them.
🎧 Listen to Episode 12 of Beyond the Plate with Carol Podcast
Watch and listen to my full conversation with Pamela Preventure and get a behind-the-scenes look at the creativity, teamwork, and passion behind Granite State Escape.
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ABOUT CAROL ERICKSON
Carol Erickson has owned Red Arrow Diner since 1987 -- four locations across New Hampshire, open 24/7. She started Beyond the Plate to tell the real stories behind the people who make New England's food and hospitality scene what it is. Not just what's on the menu. What's behind it.
Red Arrow Diner: redarrowdiner.com | @redarrow24diner