School
University of Pittsburgh, Loyola University Chicago
Expertise
Home Cooking, Baking, Food Culture
- An experienced digital media writer, when he's not behind a keyboard, Matt can be found obsessively hunting down the best street food or at the farmer's market grabbing the freshest fruit for his latest baking challenge.
- For over 15 years, he has been a passionate home cook and baker. He strongly believes in the power of good food to bring people together and support a healthy and happy life.
- In addition to his experience in the kitchen, Matt has studied and written about the larger-scale impacts of food on culture, the environment, sustainability, and history.
Experience
A longtime writer and editor Matt's work has spent nearly a decade working in digital media. He spent seven years writing comedy and satire for The Onion and has done food writing for Thrillist. His work has often centered on the politics and culture of food in the United States, with a focus on the impact of fast food, the historical origins of different dishes, and the importance of home cooking. Prior to his work in digital media, he worked as a kitchen assistant in a bakery.
Education
Matt has a master's degree in history from Loyola University Chicago and attended University of Pittsburgh as an undergraduate. He studied the social and cultural development of the early United States, including the impacts of immigration, cultural exchange, and geography on the nation's cuisine.
Tasting Table’s editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and editors with expertise in their respective fields in the food and drink, hospitality, and agriculture industries. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information and original recipes.
We strive to publish knowledgeable, engaging articles to give readers the information they're looking for, whether that is the news of the day; cooking tips, tricks, and trends; or reviews and recommendations. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive, current, and accurate content, our team is constantly reviewing and updating articles as necessary. Click here for more information on our editorial process.
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One of the largest recalls to have recently happened involves 2,000 products across categories — including snacks and drinks. Here's what you need to know.
By Matthew Spina
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Valentine's Day
By Matthew Spina
If you want a steakhouse-quality meal without all the hustle and bustle of a crowded restaurant, use this handy formula to recreate the meal at home.
By Matthew Spina
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With attempts to stand out in the grocery store landscape, Amazon Fresh is over. Here's what you need to know.
By Matthew Spina
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Anyone who has made a shopping list knows groceries are expensive, but a new study shows just how pricey it has become to stock your pantry.
By Matthew Spina
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When it comes to the generation that drinks the most, right now baby boomers lead the trend by a landslide.
By Matthew Spina
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Trends in cooking gadgets come and go over time, and it seems that at the moment the microwave is on a downward trajectory for several good and bad reasons.
By Matthew Spina
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Crumbl has been rolling out new cookie flavors every week since 2017, and it's newest chocolate flavor is another rendition of this fan-favorite dessert.
By Matthew Spina
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If you've spent any time on social media browsing for something new to bake recently, you're also probably asking yourself why we ever stopped making these.
By Matthew Spina
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Fast Food
By Matthew Spina
Want to try the best fried chicken? David Chang says you'll find it when you sample the broad menu of offerings at McDonald's in this country.
By Matthew Spina
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Casual Dining
By Matthew Spina
Even giant chains aren't safe forever. At it's peak, this one had hundreds of locations across the country, but various economic factors took their toll.
By Matthew Spina
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Non-Alcoholic
By Matthew Spina
Not all diet sodas are the same, so before you reach for a sugar-free fizzy drink, make sure you've read the label to make sure it's healthy.
By Matthew Spina
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It seems almost too simple to be true, but this basic household item can absorb odors from warm and spoiling food in your fridge.
By Matthew Spina
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Entertain
By Matthew Spina
Guy Fieri's recipes are usually not complicated, and they're packed with bold flavors that have mass appeal, especially on game day.
By Matthew Spina
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Food History
By Matthew Spina
The Baby Boom years were not known for their culinary achievements. That being said, some simple classics from the era still taste fantastic.
By Matthew Spina
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Fine Dining
By Matthew Spina
We look at the Houston-based steakhouse that found themselves near the very top of this year's Yelp 100 and why they're such a standout spot.
By Matthew Spina
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At 86 years old, Prue Leith has announced her split after nine straight seasons as one of the two main hosts of "The Great British Bake Off."
By Matthew Spina
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Cookware
By Matthew Spina
If price is no question, then copper kitchenware is often considered the best of the best. However, copper cannot do the job without a good lining.
By Matthew Spina
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Food Facts
By Matthew Spina
Not every store-bought rotisserie chicken is a winner. To guarantee the freshest and tastiest poultry, keep an eye on these visual clues.
By Matthew Spina
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Ohio Valley-style pizza might sound, and even look, disgusting to non-believers but diehard locals consistently extol the tasty virtues of this unusual pie.
By Matthew Spina
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Starbucks has made a loud commitment to sustainability, but a recent lawsuit alleges that its let some things slip -- right into its Decaf House Blend.
By Matthew Spina
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Cooking Tips
By Matthew Spina
To make it the best it can be, you can't just rely on any old piece of ham. You need something that is going to add richness and more complexity.
By Matthew Spina
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Sam's Club has worked over the past few years to make a major change to many of its in-house products. Here's what you need to know.
By Matthew Spina
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If you have any Boar's Head or Member's Mark cheeses in your refrigerator, check to see if they have been recalled by the FDA.
By Matthew Spina
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Chocolate might not be one of the foods you'd expect to find salmonella, but this low-lead chocolate company just issued a voluntary recall due to it.
By Matthew Spina
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Food History
By Matthew Spina
If you're not familiar with mahogany cake, you are likely unaware of its importance to a very popular chocolate dessert. Let's dive into the history behind it.
By Matthew Spina
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Shopping Tips
By Matthew Spina
Frozen foods don't have a great reputation, and frozen meat especially -- but should you actively avoid it? The answer might surprise you.
By Matthew Spina
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Fine Dining
By Matthew Spina
Noma is expanding, albeit temporarily, with a three-month run in the City of Angels from March 11 to June 26.
By Matthew Spina
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