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!

I was recently privileged enough to attend a game at the beautiful new Polar Park in my ancestral city of Worcester. And while the game was great and the Park packed with fun stuff to do and see, one of the most impressive elements was the wide array of food options and their quality!

In addition to well-named spots like Nacho Nacho Man and The Infield Fry, Polar Park shines bright lights on local legends like Table Talk pies, Wormtown Beer, B.T.’s Smokehouse, Coney Island hot dogs, Wonder Bar pizza and, of course, the entire line of Polar beverages. In addition, the park also offers both Harpoon and Sam Adams and a yon of other tasty treats from Atlas Distributing and other area suppliers.

While all of these vendors offer a wide range of options, what makes Polar Park reallystand out is the The WooSox Market, which not only features a completely kosher food set from the Butcherie in Brookline and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, but also a frictionless shopping experience in which overhead cameras track what you pick up (and not who you are) and put it all in a virtual cart so you can just walk out and be charged automatically. Apparently, the limits are only designated by guest comfort and/or Worcester fire codes!

Even though the baseball season may be winding down, the Park will stay open for special events including tours, indoor batting practice, photo opportunities, and college football, as well as the Worcester Wine Festival August 28 and a Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival October 2. Another Taste of Worcester event and dining on the diamond events are also in the works.

Worcester is coming back and Polar Park is its new crown jewel. Be sure to drop by for a game and stay for the food (or vice versa).

https://www.polarpark.com/ www.milb.com/worcester

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!

I know I talked about the opening of Premiere on Broadway in Somerville before it officially opened, but I went to eat there on night theee and it was AMAZING, so even though I rarely do two pieces on the same place, I wanted to mention it again.

First of all, the space is BEAUTIFUL! In addition to way-cool star-studded artwork and a HUGE bar (helmed by former Beehive mixlogy master Martin Fernandez), the 10,000-square foot venue has PLENTY of seating (including many booths that are next to enormous garage doors that not only allow a view but can be opened to make indoor seating like outdroor seating-  but with a real roof!), and even a dance floor where local bands and DJs will be doing their things almost every night.

Even though it was only the first weekend, the place was running like a well-oiled machine with a friendly cooperative staff always nearby and every made-to-order order delivered as effectively as possible. This is thanks in part to the experienced ownership of the Zammuto family (who also opened 519 on Broadway), who are developing the entire building. 

As might be hoped, however, the star of the show was the food, which is being cratively crafted by former Eataly Chef Dan Bazzinotti.

While the entire menu is amazing, some of the standouts are the “dirty rice” arancini, a massive charcuterie that boasts homemade pickles and a crunchy sausage that chef calls a ”Slim Jim,” a grilled peaches and pistachio plate, hand-made gnocchi with corn and smoked ricotta, and lobster paraprdella that (I am told) was delicioso! They also had a triramisu and espresso martini that put me under the talbele with joy!

With a great Sunday brunch and plans for a pizzeria next door, Premiere has what it takes to be the next hot spot in the suburbs and should draw crowds from Tufts and far afield as well, so get on it early!

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!

I recently jumped on the intermittent fasting bandwagon and have been using an app called Fastic to help me lose a little weight and feel sharper during the day. Most of all, I have been using it to help me stave off the temptations of late-night eating.

Developed by internationally-lauded sleep experts Dr. Michael Breus, Dr. Lauren Broch, and Dr. Michael Grandner and Tao Group partner and chef Chris Santos, Nightfood offers a delicious set of flavorful ice creams that are specially formulated to help people sleep. Loaded with snooze-friendly vitamins and minerals like B6, calcium, magnesium, and zinc (and no other drugs) Night Food also has lower sugar, fat, and calories and more protein and fiber than other dairy desserts, allowing it to fit in (at least better) with my nightly fasting plans.

 In addition to more traditional flavors like Full Moon Vanilla, Midnight Chocolate, and After Dinner Mint Chip, Nightfood also comes in such more monstrous flavors as the maple-y Bed and Breakfast, a Pickles for Two flavor that is official ice cream of the American Pregnancy Association, and even a decaffeinated Cold Brew that is all the buzz among ice cream fans!

Unfortunately for those plans, I recently found an amazing option that not only tastes great but apparently helps me sleep better!

So whether you are eating for two or trying to eat better later at night, Nightfood is sure to be a good reason to break your after-dinner fast!

www.nightfood.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!

As so many of us were home for so much of the past year, many discovered (or re-discovered) our ovens and went on cooking jags that may have left our own pilot lights burned out. Other were calling for take-out so much that our phones wondered what hit them.

Throughout this period of sourdough and speedy delivery, many other appliances may have fallen by the wayside. Among these was an old kitchen friend that many of us met at a wedding but have since only used for toast.

Fortunately, our friends and neighbors at America’s Test Kitchen have come out with a cookbook that will hopefully return this cooking companion to its rightful place not only on the top of our counters but on the top of our minds.

Toaster Oven Perfectionis a delicious collection of recipes that will help you not only remember where your toaster is but fall in love with it all over again. Starting with a refresher course on all a toaster can do (and which ones may be best for you), the book then waxes poetic about the virtues of this tiny but trustworthy tabletop trooper that makes perfect portions of fabulous foods with more cooking options and less waste. From baked ziti, bourbon bread pudding, and breakfast toasts (that’s “toasts” – plural!) to salads, sliders, short ribs, and sugar cookies, the wide range of well-tested recipes will have you going back to your toaster (and to this book) again and again.

With the help from this great book, you may soon find yourself saying, “Look. Up on my counter. I’ts a fryer! It’s a broiler! It’s- my toaster!!!”

Even if not, this is a great book!

https://shop.americastestkitchen.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!

I have sung the praises of the many eateries in the Needham many times. The food at places like Hearth, the Farmhouse, Latina, Pressed, Spiga, Walnut Grille, and Farm Grill is some of the best around and we are very fortunate to have them nearby and to call the owners and other patrons neighbors and friends.

Among my favorite friends in Needham are the creative and charitable folks at Abbott’s Frozen Custard. In addition to being the go-to source for birthday cakes and other special treats (like my favorite turtle bars with their Spanish peanuts and thick chocolate coating!), the team at Abbott’s has always been supportive of my family and of many others in the area. They have had flyers up for my Ivy League book for months and, more recently, sponsored an event that was hosted by my twin daughters to clean up the area around Needham High School. I had originally asked for 10 $1 coupons to hand out to the first participants, but Abbot’s Manager Mary Pat Dauria left an envelope for me with 40 for $2 each! Needless to say, the folks that came to help clean up were even more gratified when they found a coupon for cool delicious treats tucked into their rubber gloves!

Having been founded in the Rochester area in 1902, Abbott’s has tons of shops around NY but only has a few elsewhere. That is why people come from far and wide to enjoy their rich and thick frozen custard and the many other tasty treats that Needham has to offer and, especially as so many independently-owned restaurants continue to emerge from the pandemic, I hope that people will continue to show them some neighborly love even if they are not neighbors.

www.abbottscustard.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 many people may consider granola to be a simple and un-splashy food, there are still many who have been doing what they can to raise its profile. From our friends at Forij, Golden Girl, Healthy Truth, Mamma Chia, Nussli 118 and Q’s Nuts to newer varities likeChef Mawa McQueen’s GrainFreeNola, there are many brands and varities that make granola more than just something to throw in your backpack.

While they may not toot their own nutritious horn, there is a new granola star that deserves its time in the spotlight.

Humble Bones granola began in a kitchen in Maine by a woman who, after years of selling her single flavor at farmer’s markets, decided it was time to pack up her own granola and go traveling too. After a rebranding and expansion of the line, Humble Granola (the name of which is a play on the translations of the new owners’ Polish and Korean names) now offers a set of crunchy treats that remains rooted in the community but that has flavor and nutrition that can satisfy anyone!

While the name may be humble the flavors and packaging stand out. Each flavor – including Peanutter Butter, Chococo, and Cinnamon Vanilla – has its own animal spirit and its own great set of ingredients that include apples. cacao, old-fashioned oats, almonds, pecans, and walnuts and lots of other healthy and power-packed stuff. And as they come without any added oils or fats, you can enjoy them even when you are not hiking!

Granola may not always be flashy, but Humble Bones sure is satisfying!

www.yourhumblebones.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!

As people begin to venture out again and perhaps even exercise outdoors again, many are remembering how hot and sweaty such activities can be and are looking for ways to prepare and refresh themselves.

Fortunately, there is a new beverage called Strike! that helps you get in pro from and supports your body and your brain.

Using the same functional ingredients that many professional athletes use, Strike! delivers enough energy and oomph to help you reach a new personal best! Not only is it only 25 calories per bottle with 0 grams of sugar, Strike! also helps you burn calories and increase strength without having to mix or shake anything. In addition to energy-supporting ingredients that will not lead to a sugar or caffeine crash, Strike! also includes nootropics that support brain function as well, so you can keep track of your split times without a notebook!

Strike! is great for weekend warriors and dedicated athletes and can be purchased at a discount for those who want to get their fit fix on a regular basis.

Just go to https://drinkstrike.com/and get ready to Strike! out.

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 kids prepare to (hopefully) go back to school, parents are (rightfully) concerned not only about how Covid will continue to affect them (and all of us), but also about the food their children may be eating in school. Especially as many parentds lost jobs during the pandemic, many more children will depend on school meals to make it through the day.

One of the most nutritious foods around is milk and one of the most nutritious kinds of milk is A2. As it uses only milk that includes the naturally-produced A2 protein (as opposed to the A1 which comes primarily from cows that have been affected by genetic mutations, something about which we are all concerned these days), A2 is able to deliver more usable protein and be easier to digest than most other milks. And with whole, 2%, skim, and even chocolate and half-and-half varieties, A2 tastes great alone or in coffee or recipes.

In addition to having their grass-fed cows be Validus certified to ensure animal welfare, A2 is making sure that those who make and drink their products are taken care of as well. They treat their famers as business partners and recently partnered with Feed the Children to help the millions of children who do not get enough healthy food each day. In fact, A2 will donate 10% of the value of each carton purchased, up to $100,000! 

So as we all prepare for whatever is next, at least we can all be sure that we are getting good clean nuitrition to help us take care of the rest.

www.a2milk.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!

Rens Original is a Finnish company that is all about sustainability. So much so, in fact, that they recently developed a sneaker that is made from coffee waste and recycled plastic!

Funded in part by Kickstarter (appropriately enough) the new sneaker represents the world’s first crowdfunded climate-neutral sneaker and a giant leap in both environmental protection and fitness.

The first edition was made from 21 cups of coffee waste and six bottles of recycled plastic. That revolutionary release raised over $500,000, becoming the most successful fashion Kickstarter campaign in the Nordic nations and the all-time most funded campaign in Finland. 

The new edition (named “Nomad”) has been designed based upon fan feedback from the earlier edition and is also designed to be completely climate-neutral from start to finish. In addition to a waterproof outer layer, the new Nomad also has a unique ventilation system and is made with a proprietary production plan that takes out extra material to make each shoe as light and responsive as possible. Combining the lastest in performance technology with the good feeling that comes from knowing that the only damage you are doing to the earth is trodding upon it, the Nomad is sure to appeal to athletes and environmentalists alike.

Participants in the new Kickstarter campaign will not only be invited to pick from nine color combinations and offer further feedback but will also help control waste as each pair will be custom made instead of just mass-produced and sent out to stores.

So the next time you run out for coffee, be aware- You may be running in it as well!

https://rensoriginal.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 the debate rages on about whether coffee is good for us or is simply a more acceptable mind- and mood-altering drug, along comes a coffee that is actually intended to change your mind and that will surely do so as soon as you taste it.

Pivot coldbrew offers the caffeine we all love (and allegedly need) but balances it with proprietary nootropics like L-Theanine and Alpina Galanga and healthy adaptogens like Reishi mushrooms to offer a coffee that maximizes the effects of caffeine without having to overload us with it and that also includes elements that help us clear our minds instead of starting them racing.

Made from single-origin, family-raised, 100% Arabica beans from Central and South America, Pivot’s roasts allow natural flavor notes like chocolate and citrus to shine through and Pivot also offers flavor-enhanced editions made with all-natural vanilla and ginger (which also helps the body in many ways). The calorie count for each bottle ranges from 0 to 40 and the bottles fit into your bag and into your day whenever you need a balanced boost.

With its special stack of clinically-proven ingredients and multiple flavors (all of which are tasty), Pivot provides energy, focus, stamina, and immunity support, all without jitters or caffeine crash.

So if your daily cup is wreaking havoc on your daily routine, maybe its time to Pivot.

www.pivotcoldbrew.com