FEATURES

from Peoria Times - 12.30.2021

OPINION

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Thai Chili 2 Go is heating up Peoria

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor

Akshat Sethi had an itch. The successful financier/entrepreneur wanted to try his hand at being a restaurateur. Like everything he touches, he found gold.

Thai Chili 2 Go has become an Arizona favorite and, recently, it opened a store in Peoria. Through Friday, Dec. 31, the Peoria location at 16955 N. 75th Avenue is giving guests one free order of six crispy Thai chicken dumplings and hoisin sauce with a purchase of an entrée. Those ordering online can use the code PEORIA13 upon checkout.

“My family approached me about doing something in the restaurant (industry),” said Sethi, who moved here from New Delhi, India, at age 23. “My background is in financial services. I concurred, and I love it.”

The real boom came with Thai Chili 2 Go, a chain of fast-casual restaurants that simplifies the Asian country’s cuisine. Sethi has 12 Thai Chili 2 Go eateries throughout the Valley — with more to come.

“Our expansion plans are aggressive,” Sethi said. “New stores here were delayed by the COVID-19 supply chain issues and construction delays. We’re looking at a couple more stores in the first quarter 2022.”

Those include Maricopa, a location that was frequently requested, he said.

“We like to listen to what our customers want, and if we can act on it, we do,” Sethi said. “We have a Downtown

The majority of Thai Chili 2 Go’s menu is geared toward rice and noodles. (Photo courtesy of Thai Chili 2 Go)

SEE THAI PAGE 18

CreatiVets empowers wounded veterans through arts

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Peoria Times Executive Editor

Joel Shewmake has written songs for the likes of Brad Paisley, Montgomery Gentry, Gary Allan, Lonestar and Jerrod Niemann.

He calls being in a room with Purple Heart recipient Adam Mitchell an “honor.” The two penned the single “I’m With You” as part of a monthly project helmed by Nashville-based nonprofit CreatiVets and Big Machine Label Group.

They release a new veteran-written track on the 20th of every month to pay tribute to the 20 veterans and active-duty members who die by suicide every day.

“I’m still flabbergasted that I would be allowed to get in a room and share in the stories and be a part of Adam’s pro-

Written by veteran Mitchell and his mentor Greg Pihs alongside Shewmake and fellow songwriter Brian Davis, the song is meant to serve as a form of therapy for the involved veterans.

For Mitchell, finding the program was fate. Since sustaining several injuries to the head and neck while serving overseas in 2005, he has struggled with communication, memory and balance and continues to navigate the difficulties around post-traumatic stress.

“It’s real and emotional,” Mitchell said about “I’m With You.” “Writing is an easier way for me to express myself.”

Mitchell is new to music, although he does jot down lyrics to clear his mind. He has played the drums since 1993, and he is learning the guitar.

Shewmake, however, is a longtime songwriter. He moved from Cookeville, Tennessee, to Nashville to pursue a career in music among the millions of others who desire the same thing. To become successful, Shewmake networked with other songwriters.

“If it hadn’t been for songwriting, I wouldn’t be able to manage my emotions,” he said. “I know I can put words on paper just to let some of the emotions out. It can be a terrible song. It’s just nice to get some of that stuff written down, even if you throw it away.

“If I couldn’t do that, it would have been a harder life.”

Throughout Shewmake’s career, he has had his fair share of rejection, but projects like this one with Mitchell make it all worthwhile.

“You get to see what music is supposed to be doing,” he said. “For 20

Adam Mitchell, Purple Heart receipient. (Photo courtesy of CreatiVets)

ACROSS

1 Steal from 4 Highlander 8 Streamlet 12 Historic period 13 String 14 Tom Joad, for one 15 Bridgetown’s island 17 “It’s -- real!” 18 Intends 19 Tropical fruit 20 Jazz genre 22 Piece of work 24 Priests’ garments 25 “Excellent work!” 29 Espionage org. 30 Spectrum creator 31 Ms. Thurman 32 Wavering 34 Twain hero 35 Sharp tooth 36 Clearheaded 37 Cream-filled pastries 40 Arrive 41 Jai -42 Chocolatey frozen treat 46 Give up 47 Carry on 48 Citrus drink 49 Crystal gazer 50 Eye part 51 U.K. fliers

DOWN

1 Civil War soldier 2 Man-mouse link 3 Whom Pilate pardoned 4 Rascal 5 Atlantic catches 6 Granada gold 7 QB stats 8 Hearty 9 Furniture brand 10 Actor Schreiber 11 Sultry Horne 16 Life stories 19 Site of Apra Harbor 20 “Coffee Cantata” composer 21 Writer Wiesel 22 Rubber gasket 23 Nuisance 25 Mom’s mom 26 Place to get a fruit smoothie 27 Hotel chain 28 Combo 30 School orgs. 33 Not as certain 34 Seethe 36 Theater boxes 37 Campaign-funding gps. 38 Fonda’s beekeeper role 39 Lose color 40 406, in Roman numerals 42 Calendar abbr. 43 Eg. and Syr., once 44 Oklahoma city 45 Ump

ANSWERS PAGE 22

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by Donna Pettman

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THAI FROM PAGE 16 Chandler location opening — that’s the next one — at Arizona Avenue and Fry Road. Carefree is another location. We’re just wanting on the delivery of the site. We have a few more opening on the westside, as we just started our westside expansion.”

Sethi is looking to franchise nationally as well on the East Coast and Midwest.

His reasoning for opening the store in Peoria is simple.

“How can you miss Peoria?” he said with a laugh. “That’s the question. We were getting a lot of inquiries and guest feedback for almost a year and a half now. We were looking for the right spot in Peoria. We love the community.”

Thai Chili 2 Go offers myriad dish choices, including starters Thai dumplings, crispy chicken bites, vegetable spring rolls, tom yum gai and tom kha gai; five curries; seven noodle and rice dishes, like pineapple fried rice and pad siew; and three vegan dishes.

“The majority of our menu is geared toward rice and noodles,” he said. “Thai curries are the best sellers.”

The foundation of Thai Chili 2 Go’s success, he said, is authentic ingredients. Sethi doesn’t short-change when it comes to recipes. Everything is 100% Thai. Non-GMO tofu and non-GMO rice bran is used, instead of canola or soybean oil.

“Everything is fresh to order,” he said. “The only way to give you good food is to cook it fresh. You want pad Thai with chicken, spicy hot? We cook it for you in front of you. The kitchen is open. We offer great-quality food.” PT

Thai Chili 2 Go

16955 N. 75th Avenue, Peoria tc2go.com PT

VETERANS FROM PAGE 16 years, I’ve had my eyes focused on whatever goals. I wasn’t seeing the impact of what you’re doing. This really helps me a lot to see the impact of what we’re doing and the people being moved by it.” A twist of fate

Mitchell stumbled across CreatiVets while looking for a veteran-based music learning program. After a deep dive, the music fan found CreatiVets “extremely intriguing.”

“With my TBI (traumatic brain injury), music has helped me remember things easier and more vividly,” Mitchell said.

“When I was able to start the writing process of my song, I honestly had no idea what I wanted to write about. I started telling a little of my story and then was able to easily fixate on what I wanted the message to be. I wanted it to be based around my kids and let them know that no matter the obstacles in life, I will be there for them. I have always tried to see negative events more as lessons than being wrapped up by the event itself; thus making the line, ‘I’ve learned from the best on who not to be,’ my favorite.”

Founded in 2013, CreatiVets has helped more than 1,000 combat veterans — with more than 500 veterans participating in its songwriting programs. Mitchell admitted he felt a little vulnerable because he exposed something so real to him. Since his experience with CreatiVets, he got over his fear of showing his true self.

“When people hear my song, I just hope they can relate to it and make it their own,” he said.

Mitchell served in the infantry in the Marine Corps from 2002 to 2006, mainly out of Washington and Twentynine Palms, California.

Since sustaining several injuries to the head and neck while serving overseas in 2005, he has struggled with communication, memory and balance and continues to navigate the difficulties around post-traumatic stress. PT

Myriad musicians worked on “I’m with You,” including, from left, Danny Rader (acoustic), Nick Buda (drums), Jerry McPherson (electric), Jeff Coplan (bass/producer), Jamie Tate (studio owner/engineer) and Chris Ferrara (scratch vocalist). Brett Gillan, far right, represents CreatiVets. (Photo courtesy of CreatiVets)

CreatiVets creativets.org