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 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 we have often discussed and tried to support my family and friends in New Orleans, there are other places in LA that are worth a visit, especially for food fans.

My favorite among these is Shreveport, home of Fertitta’s Deli, which is itself the official home of the “Muffy,” a unique (and trademarked) take on the historic Muffaletta sandwich that, I think, is the best in the nation.

After some time as a man of the cloth, Patrick Fertitta has followed the commandment about honoring your parents by coming back home to help his folks mind the store, In the process, he has also developed his own set of savory stuff that will enhance his family business and also any meal, even if it does not include loaves or fishes.

Padre Feritta Foods were born from the Fertitta family’s passion for great food and their desire to serve their community and the world with their generous portions and more generous spirit. Using his God-given talents in the kitchen, Pastor Patrick has taken that tradition to new heights with his Sicilian- and family-inspired marinated pickled vegetables (including his father’s famed olive mix, which is the basis for the perhaps more famous Muffy) that are truly heavenly and that will help Padre Ferititta support his family, his parish, and all who love good food made by and for good people.

With plans for olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a line of meats that combine Old World-style with contemporiary dietary checkpoints (such as being GMO-, gluten-, hormone-, and preservative-free), Padre Ferita is ready to maintain the proud traditions of his own family while taking their flavors into the future!!

As Pastor Patrick himself would say, “Holy moly, thatsa tasty!”

www.padrefertittafoods.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 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!

What do the first multipurpose digital computer, the dialysis machine, the book Lions, Tigers, and…Bulldogs? (which, by the way, is available at www.LionsTigersBulldogs.com), and a new deck of cards that show off some of the most iconic foods in the world have on common?

Well, first of all, they were all created by people at the University of Pennsylvania and, secondly, they are all indispensible!

The Gourmand 52 deck features original, hand-drawn illustrations of some of the foods that have made New York famous and that have since migrated to other eateries (and eaters) all over the world. 

From Carbone and Cosme to Gramercy Tavern and Joe’s Pizza to Katz’s Deli and Russ & Daughters, the participating places and their popular plates have become legends in the food world and deserve celebrating. To help wash down such delicious dishes, San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna waters have both come on board to support the project, as has restaurant marketing supporter Bentobox.

Speaking of support, 15% of all proceeds from Gourmand52 deck purchases go to ROAR (Restaurants Organizing, Advocating & Rebuilding), which is helping some of today’s and tomorrow’s top chefs to rebuild and thrive again after the pandemic.

In addition to the cards, the Gourmand team hosts a podcast on which they interview top chefs and hospitality honchos (kinda like Matt’s Meals!) and have also hosted heir own industry events.

Deal me in!         

www.gourmandcommunity.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 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 a fan of fresh local food and fresh local chefs, I am very excited to share that our long-time friend Jason Bond (the James Beard “Best Chef in America” semifinalist behind Bondir, which was itself named one of the top 10 best restaurants in the country, according to no less a judge than Bon Appetit) will be taking over as Executive Chef of local legend Clover Food Lab.

As a long-time New Englander, Bond is well aware of the amazing bounty our region is privileged to enjoy and how to put it to best use. This will work well with Clover’s established reputation of doing the most good with local food and of serving the community all while helping to fight climate change and community hunger (all of which Bond supports wholeheartedly).

In addition to serving as Executive Chef, Bond is also preparing a curated line of Clover’s famed meal boxes that allowed Clover’s many locations to continue to provide and support their neighbors even during the pandemic and which continue to allow guests to grab and go culinary convenience without compromising quality. Among the latest offerings is the new Umami Box, which includes Clover’s already popular Brussels sprouts sandwich, as well as kimchi, tofu, Dorito-flavored popcorn, black walnut oat-bran bread and white chocolate mousse, all of which truly take flavor to a new dimension! 

Bond also has some cooking classes and pop-up events in mind that will allow him and Clover to reach out to even more people in the area in more satisfying ways.

So if you feel lucky to have Clover in your community (as we all should!), get ready to Bond with your favorite food fixer in a whole new way!

www.cloverfoodlab.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 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 sang the praises of New Leaf Tree Syrups, which uses interesting alternatives to and combinations with maple syrup to protect the well-tapped (but potentially endangered) trees and to bring new flavors to the maple-loving masses.

I recently came upon another independent company that is taking what many may consider simple products and bringing them to new heights and dimensions.

At first glance, Cooper’s Daughter Spirits at Olde York Farm in Hudson, NY, is a distillery that makes its own New York-sourced white oak barrels for perfectly-controlled alcohol aging. While this may be interesting enough, a closer look reveals even more delicious distinctions. 

In addition to offering a wide range of imbibements, the woman-owned and family-run business has its own bed and breakfast, as well as an event space and a cozy cocktail garden that comes complete with music, food trucks and fire pits for year-round enjoyment. 

While all of these offerings set Cooper’s Daughter apart, what really makes them stand out is their vast variety of products.

Among Cooper’s creative creations (all of which are made with locally-sourced ingredients) are a clean wheat vodka, a lilac liquer that is made with real flowers, as well as a rhubarb and honey vodka, a mulled peach whiskey, a smoked maple bourbon (naturally!), and a cacao maple vodka that features 100% Peruvian cacao (which may be the only imported ingredient in the bottle).

While a trip to the Farm is a lot of fun, most of the Daughter’s descendants are sold at farmer’s markets and other venues throughout the area, and are always available at https://oldeyorkfarm.com. The website also has recipe recommendations that can encourage every enjoyer to take the forward-thinking flavors even further.

No matter which you pick, you are sure to be over the moon about being over these barrels!

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 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 focus of Matt’s Meals is food, most of our favorites come with a story that is as fulfilling and satisfying as the foods themselves.

Mona Ahmad, a resident of Saugus, MA is a diplomat’s daughter who was lucky to travel the globe and migrated from Pakistan when she was 2 years old.  As a hard-working mother of three she often found herself facing the same dilemma of many parents- how can I feed my family healthy foods in the limited time I have?  She also wanted some of the dishes to be the traditional foods she grew up with. Her response? Start her own food company!

These days, Mona is the founder and chief executive officer of Mona’s Curryations, a Pakistani and Indian-inspired collection of delicious and cleanly permissible (a.k.a., Halal) foods that offer a broad menu of pre-mixed meals that come frozen yet taste as fresh as if your own mother made them when you cook them. Maybe that’s because Mona uses recipes her mother passed down to her and because she also uses only the freshest and finest ingredients, including such healthful spices, such as turmeric and cumin.  Her concept is simple- just defrost the entree, cook on the stovetop or instapot for a few minutes and enjoy! 

Among the authentic options are such curried crowd pleasers as Tandoori Chicken and Tikka Masala in both chicken and plant-based chickpea, a vegetarian Palak Paneer, and, of course, freshly-baked sides of Naan bread that come with every meal and are perfect for sopping up every last delicious remnant of these entree options.

Select varieties of Mona’s creations are available in the freezer aisle at most Stop & Shop stores and also available via instacart.  You can learn more at www.monascurryations.com.  As each bag serves two and costs less than $15, you will not find a better deal here or anywhere else Mona has traveled!

Aish Karna! 

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 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 the world continues to try to dig out of Covid, many metropolitan areas appear to be among the hardest hit, especially when it comes to the restaurant sector. Though delivery services and pop-ups kept some afloat, many other legendary spaces shuttered and few have reopened.

That is just one of the reasons why it is so exciting to announce that Café Sauvage recently opened in Boston’s Back Bay!

Led by the spectacular spousal team of Parisian imports Anais and Antoine Lambert(who have experience at such vaunted venues as Sandrine Rossi’s Frenchie and Colette Wine Bistro) and with a kitchen helmed by former Bastille Kitchen and Four Seasons Chef Kendall DaCosta, Café Sauvage is bringing modern French to a neighborhood that also includes the French Cultural Center of Greater Boston.

With a cozy 38 seats that look out on Massachusetts Avenue near Marlborough Street, Café Sauvage is sure to become a French-inspired fave for savvy Back Bay shoppers, Fenway fans, and MIT mega-minds, among others. And while the décor may be comfortable, the café earns its name with a “wild” menu that includes such French fixtures as a stunning selection of charcuterie and fromage, fresh and flavorful croissantand French fries, as well as such immigrant-inspired, tradition-trashing (yet still magnifique) tastes as a French onion quiche, jambon beurre made with goat butter, bahn mi with vadouvan dijoinanaise, an acai bowl with orange blossom honey, and a Nutella crepe and latte that are worth the voyage on their own! Speaking of drinks, a liquor license is in the works as are many other menu makers, but be sure to get on the list early as people are sure to get Sauvage about Café Sauvage!

www.cafesauvage.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 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 cider fan, I am always on the lookout for new flavors and ideas.

Among my recent finds have been the foraged favorites at Left Bank in Hudson, NY, the strawberry rhubarb cider from Hudson North (which, as the name implies, is a bit north of Hudson and to the right of Left Bank) and the authentic apple pie can from Nine Pin in Albany. I have also found great ciders from Spain, Seattle, the Texas twosome of Locust and Austin Eastciders, and of course, the great VT varieties from Shacksbury, Stowe, and Champlain.

Closer to home, I have always found cidered satisfaction in Sam Adams’ Angry Orchard. With a menu of over 10 hand-crafred styles, they seem to have something for every taste and mood. Having started with their signature Crisp Apple, Angry Orchard has grown in recent years by introducing an unfiltered option and also by using green and rose apples and even pears. Just recently, the Orchard contined to add to the fruits of its labors by adding ginger, peach mango and strawberry to the luscious line.

Despite all this great variety and the high quality of every AO offering, the one I am most excited about this season is the limited edition cinnamon cider called Cinnful Cider. Combining the familiar flavors of apples with the sharp bite of cinnamon and hints of hot cocoa, Cinnful has a warming flavor that is perfect for days that can start out comfortable but then bite in a way that lets you know you’re alive. And if Angry Orchard is available, consider yourself lucky!

www.AngryOrchard.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 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 ths kiddies may still be happy with lollipops, gummy bears (other than Scrummy Bears, of course!), and even candy corn (ugh!), those of us with more discerning tastes often turn to the one sweet that we know will satisfy- chocolate!

Fortunately, many of our old chocolate friends are coming out with new offerings to help any fan find Fall faves and get new ideas for Holiday giving.

Though their Cubze® make great gifts at any time for anyone (including you!), The Happy Chocolatier has added holiday-themed colors and flavors to their box set that can take any holiday party or gift to the next level! From a Halloween mix of milk chocolates that will be a treat for anyone lucky enough to receive them to a pair of fall-themed collections that everyone will be thankful for, the Happy Chocolatier’s chocolatiers will surely keep us all happy with their supportive sayings and creative creations.

After wowing us with their Taste of the South set, Austin’s Delyisa Chocolatier is back with a nine-piece Autumn Harvest collection of chocolate truffles that will bring warmth to any location. Inspired by the colors and flavors of fall, the set includes pumpkin (of course!), cranberry sauce (naturally!), and also turkey dinner (really!), all of which are melt-in-your-mouth amazing! They are also offer interactive events such as their upcoming chocolate and tea pairings that can make a party in and of themselves.

With the holidays coming, it is also good to know that Chocolate Pizza’s snowflake pizzas (and hopefully soon their AMAZING chocolate and peanut butter “wings”) are now available at Wegman’s and in every Paper Store across New England. From November 1-7, they are bringing back their famous annual (and ONLY annual!) Holiday Sale, during which customers can save 20% on all online orders using the coupon code OPENHOUSE.

Have fun trick or treating, but be sure to give yourself and those you love treats that will have them knocking at your door time and again.

www.ChocolatePizza.com, www.delysia.com, www.thehappychocolatier.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 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!

With Halloween near, parents around the country (and beyond) are decrying the sugar and crazy chemicals their kids will be ingesting for the next few weeks (if not longer).

Fortunately, there is a new option that can at least mitigate the dental (and mental) damage.

Made by a mother and grandmother of four (each) with a long-term health condition that insisted she control her own intake of various foods, Scrummy bears have far less toxins and other nasty stuff than other gummy candies and even than many other foods! In fact, Scrummy bears are organically flavored and colored, sugar- and chemical-free, and have 19 grams of soluble fiber but only 60 calories in each serving (which is about 25 yummy gummy bears!). They also have the just one gram of net carbs per heaping handful, making them perfect for your budding Keto fans.

While there have been other so-called “sugar-free” gummy bears, it turns out that they are either way high in carbs or packed with chemicals that replicate sugar in every way, including blood sugar spikes. By navigating the“dark side” of the food space, the creators of Scrummy bears were able to emerge with a much brighter and, dare we say, healthier candy! 

When you visit www.ScrummySweets.com, you can get rewards for referring friends (all of whom will surely be grateful) and even try your digital hand at Scrummy’s prize wheel to win more prizes. Even if you just buy some bags, however, you are sure to make even the pickiest trick or treaters and candy fans happy (and healthy)!

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 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 I love talking about what is new in the food world, I also love checking in with old friends to make sure they stay on everyone’s lips, as it were.

Our friends at Waku have come out with new flavors, including a passion fruit variety that is sure to inspire love and an unsweetened floral blend that puts the many nutritious herbs that give all Waku flavors their taste and health benefits front and center.

For those of you looking for a healthy treat, Forij has expanded their line of  brain-boosting & energy-inducing granola and is also offering a discount for those who use the code “Fall20” when picking up what will surely be a new favorite. Among the new flavors (all of which are gluten- and GMO-free, keto-friendly, and vegan) are cinnamon, sunflower seed mixed with cacao, and vanilla almond. All of which can start your day or hike or afternoon with wholesome nutrition aand great taste!

Just in time for the holidays, Sara Lane of Sara Ran Away with the Spoon is offering online baking classes and a vacation week’s worth of teen-themed classes so you can wow your friends and family with homemade baked goods that are far sweeter (and better!) than sourdough. 

And what holiday treat spot would be complete without a mention of Q’s nuts, which has released a new line of exclusive gift-boxed flavors that are healthy and delicious and also available nationwide? For these special sets, founding father Brian “Q” Quinn has hand-selected what he considers to be the best of the over 100 flavors he has devised in his 25 years in the nut game and while his many flavors are all great, he is pretty sure that you wil too!

While Matt’s Meals will continue to bring you sweet and savory scoops from around the world, it is important (and gratifying) to keep track of our friends closer to home as well.

Enjoy them all! 

www.LiveWaku.com, www.forij.co, www.SaraRanAwaywiththeSpoon.com, www.QsNuts.com