Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.

Recent samples can be found at Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.

If you have ideas for future segments, please send them to Matt@Matts-Meals.com.

Also, please follow me on Twitter @MattsMeals73.

Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting our friends and neighbors in the food-service industry!

Both the health-conscious and the chocolate-loving have been raving for years about how the more pure cacao you have in your chocolate, the better it tastes and the better it is.

Why, then do so many chocolate makers actually use so little of the cacao bean (apparently often less han 60%) from which their delicious delights emerge?

Perhaps in answer to this question, the folks at Blue Stripes Urban Cacao offer amazing packages that can include an entire cacao pod, allowing fans to not only learn from whence their favorite treat comes but how to make use of more of it.

In addition to the cacao beans, an entire pod also contains the fleshy cacao fruit that actually surrounds the better-known nibs, as well antioxidant- and electrolyte-packed cacao water and a shell that can be made into flour to add even more taste and nutrition to your favorite baked goods!

No matter which parts you use, you are sure to benefit not only your taste buds, but your bones, your heart and other muscles, your circulatory, immune, nervous, and digestive systems, and even your brain (which will surely then convince you to get more!).

In addition to the whole pods, Blue Stripes offers a wide range of cacao-based priducts that includes butters, granolas, energy snacks, and (of course) bars, all of which are packre with flavor andall the other good stuff.

Cacao has long been known as the fruit of the gods and Blue Stripes is heavenly indeed- all the way through!

www.bluestripes.com

Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.

Recent samples can be found at Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.

If you have ideas for future segments, please send them to Matt@Matts-Meals.com.

Also, please follow me on Twitter @MattsMeals73.

Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting our friends and neighbors in the food-service industry!

Though I LOVED being home with my girls, it is GREAT to say that it is finally back to school time!

And while I love seeing my kids make new friends and learn new things (especially without Zoom), one of the other best parts of this year is picking up platters from Michael’s Deli for the holidays or just because.

For this new year (which is such in more ways than usual), Steve Peljovich is cooking up such famous faves as his Abuela’s Cuban-inspired gefilte fish, Nana’s chopped liver, Bubbie’s kasha, Auntie Bev’s hearty noodle kugel, Auntie Gayle’s legendary matzoh ball soup, and (most importantly) his wonderful wife’s amazing brisket, as well as blintzes, sweet potato tsimmes, and apple and honey knishes that will make any day sweet!

Even if you do not plan to go to shulor even if you do not observe these fall fesitvals, a plate from Michael’s will not only brighten your day but, as Steve gives so much to so many charities and organizations (including Relay for Life), it will make other’s lives better too!

Orders are due in by September 1, which will give you plenty of time to go school shopping and prepare for whatever else the new year (or school year) brings. And remember, you don’t have to be Jewish to LOVE Michael’s 😉

Shana tovah!

Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.

Recent samples can be found at Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.

If you have ideas for future segments, please send them to Matt@Matts-Meals.com.

Also, please follow me on Twitter @MattsMeals73.

Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting our friends and neighbors in the food-service industry!

As Matt’s Meals fans know, I love me some condiments!

The main issue I have with them, though, is that many of the bottles are hard to get all the way empty.

That is why I am so pumped to find Health Punk!

Instead of a typical squeeze bottle, Health Punk’s awesome sauces come in award-winning toothpaste tubes, allowing frugal fans to squeeze out every last drop (and fully recycle the leftovers). The kickin’ condiments are organic, vegan, gluten-, lactose-, preservative-, and soy-free, have no added sugar, packed with superfood ingredients, and the makers even give 2% of sales to biodynamic agriculture!

While I was first drawn into the condiment chaos by Health Punk’s masterful mustard, the more Punk I got, the more healthy and rebellious I became. The oat-based Bionnaise is packed with protein and other good stuff; the tomato concentrate combines ketchup with pasta sauce and works well as eitherl and their mysterious UFO Sauce goes on almost anything without giving anything away.

Rebellious flavors made with real foods that taste real good and are real good for you. What a punk idea! In fact, they are so punk that they even take most of the vowels out of their URL! So visit www.hlthpunk.comand get ready to rage against the leftovers!

Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.

Recent samples can be found at Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.

If you have ideas for future segments, please send them to Matt@Matts-Meals.com.

Also, please follow me on Twitter @MattsMeals73.

Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting our friends and neighbors in the food-service industry!

Among my favorite people to promote on Matt’s Meals are independent food entrepenurs. And among these, I am especially happy and proud to be able to support our brave men and women in uniform as they embark on new ventures after serving.

As I also love sauces and condiments, I have long been a fan of Army Sergeant James Lee, the nominal inspiration for J. Lee’s Gourmet BBQ Sauce.

While the BBQ sauce may have led the charge (and capably too!), CEO Helen Lee has expanded the decorated line to conquer many other segments. Among the newest recruits are J. Lee’s low-sugar BBQ sauce and their Cajun hot sauce. 

In addition to being gluten free, low sodium, and Kosher and having no MSG or corn syrup (as is true of all J. Lee’s sauces), the low-sugar sauce has only 5 grams of natural sugar with no more added and also has no fat and just 6 carbs, making it Keto- and diabetic-friendly as well. As for the Cajun hot sauce- Well, let’s just say that J. Lee’s is from Mississippi and knows what its Louisiana neighbors are all about. Despite its heat, the hot sauce allows all the flavors of whatever you put it on to shine through, enhancing instead of hiding them. As I love hot sauce, I have put it to the test and it passed with flying colors!

Available on Army Air Force Exchange Services, Amazon, and all over the nation, J. Lee’s is easier to get than a purple heart and will surely do your mouth and your heart good knowing that such delicious stuff is also supporting our Veterans.

So fall in line and grab some J. Lee’s on the double!

www.jleessauce.com

Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.

Recent samples can be found at Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.

If you have ideas for future segments, please send them to Matt@Matts-Meals.com.

Also, please follow me on Twitter @MattsMeals73.

Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting our friends and neighbors in the food-service industry!

While its New York namesake may still be struggling, Broadway in Somerville is back in a big way with the opening of Premiere on Broadway!

Helmed by former Eataly Executive Chef Dan Bazzinotti, Premiere will also help bring the beverage and entertainment scene back with its amazing selection of Martin Fernandez’s Beehive-inspired drinks and a huge stage and dance floor as part of its 10,000 square feet (which also includes seating for 100 outside).

Starting off with dinner seven nights a week (with lunch slated to be Act II), Chef Bazz’s playbill will include fresh bread from Somerville’s Winter HillBakery, arancini made with Sicilian “dirty” rice, grilled oysters Fra Diavolo, Genovese chicken wings, Chef’s take on the classic sausage bomb (featuring peppers and onions from Drumlin Farm in Lincoln and Chickering Farm in Westmoreland, NH), and not only an entire menu of fresh pastas but also one of choices made with cheese! Sunday brunches will feature house-made doughnuts, avocado bruschetta, baked eggs in spicy tomato sauce (a.k.a., eggs in Purgatory), pannetone French toast, and a slate of slakers like Marton’s famed martinis and mimosas, seasonal bellinis, beers from Winter Hill Brewing and others, and more!

Dale Buchanan’s liveevent calendar is already filling up with everything from comedians and dinner shows to singer-songwriters and orchestras, so come by and fill up on great food and drinks and the return of live entertainment in historic Magoun Square.

Who needs New York?

www.premiereonbroadway.com

Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.

Recent samples can be found at Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.

If you have ideas for future segments, please send them to Matt@Matts-Meals.com.

Also, please follow me on Twitter @MattsMeals73.

Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting our friends and neighbors in the food-service industry!

After decades as head chef at the award-winning Meritage and as the founder and main engine behind one of the largest and longest-running wine festivals in the world, Chef Daniel Bruce is retiring from the Boston Harbor Hotel.

A New England native, Chef Bruce always did his best to engage local farms while pairing their produce with the best international wines. After graduating with honors from the famed program at Johnson and Wales in RI, he studied in Italy and France before returning home to the States. Soon after becoming the youngest executive chef at New York’s famed 21 Club, Bruce took a job at the Boston Harbor Hotel so he could catch up with old friends, get back in touch with his favorite farmers, and serve his community with all of his culinary heart and soul.

During his nearly 40 years as a professional chef, Bruce has been awarded the title of Vice Consellier Culiniaire, Bailliage de Boston, and he has been honored twice as one of the Best Hotel Chefs in America at the James Beard House. He is also an honorary member of Chevalier du Tastevin and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Johnson & Wales in 1996. He has also made many appearances on such popular programs as NBC’s Today and Live with Regis and Kelly. 

In addition to the Boston Wine Festival, Chef Bruce was also a driving force behind similar celebrations in Berkeley, CA, New Orleans, LA, and Washington, DC, and also opened restaurants in Berkeley and the Big Easy.

Though he says that he plans to remain in the area, Chef Bruce will surely be missed by the Hotel’s many guests and fans and also by the international crowd he gathered each year for his legendary celebration of wine.

Thank you, Chef!

Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.

Recent samples can be found at Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.

If you have ideas for future segments, please send them to Matt@Matts-Meals.com.

Also, please follow me on Twitter @MattsMeals73.

Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting our friends and neighbors in the food-service industry!

Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.

Recent samples can be found at Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.

If you have ideas for future segments, please send them to Matt@Matts-Meals.com.

Also, please follow me on Twitter @MattsMeals73.

Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting our friends and neighbors in the food-service industry!

Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.

Recent samples can be found at Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.

If you have ideas for future segments, please send them to Matt@Matts-Meals.com.

Also, please follow me on Twitter @MattsMeals73.

Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting our friends and neighbors in the food-service industry!

Matt’s segments for “Connoisseur’s Corner” usually air on WBZ (1030 AM) Saturdays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25, and 11:55 AM and Sundays at 7:25, 8:25, 9:25 AM.

Recent samples can be found at Recent samples can be found at https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1002-Connoisseurs-Corner-28654273/.

If you have ideas for future segments, please send them to Matt@Matts-Meals.com.

Also, please follow me on Twitter @MattsMeals73.

Thanks for listening and thanks for supporting our friends and neighbors in the food-service industry!