Matthew Spina
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.
- A passionate home cook and baker for over 15 years, Matt believes strongly 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.
Stories By Matthew Spina
-
You don't have to go out to eat at a Chinese restaurant if you want delicious pork char siu at home, you can make it yourself with these tips.
-
You need to make sure you are getting your temperatures just right. And, when you are making brownies, that means gently warming them to the right level.
-
Coca-Cola is releasing a new TikTok-exclusive flavor called Happy Tears Zero Sugar on February 17, 2024, alongside a hype kit full of goodies.
-
Pizza sauce and marinara are, obviously, extremely similar, but are they literally interchangeable or are there characteristics that set them apart?
-
Chicken chain Popeyes has chosen Super Bowl 58 as the perfect time to fully roll out its five wing flavors with a comical commercial starring actor Ken Jeong.
-
A bowl of salad can be more than it seems, it can become part of your next sandwich! Put your greens between bread with other ingredients for a new meal.
-
Valentine's Day is around the corner and it seems like everyone is getting in on the festivities this year, even your favorite chicken sandwich chain.
-
The reality is that no matter how long they sit, the spices in dry rubs will never penetrate beyond the edge of your meat. Salt is different though.
-
Starbucks is going hard for Valentine's Day, and Latin America's pink Strawberry and Hibiscus Cupid Cream Shaken Tea is arguably the most lovely of them all.
-
Change up the way you serve asparagus! Since it's often served roasted and whole, this technique will add excitement to a veggie side dish staple.
-
Discover the magic of sazón, a flavorful spice blend popular in Puerto Rican cuisine. Amp up rice and other dishes with it for an authentic culinary experience.
-
As part of its ongoing Artist Collaboration Series, Starbucks has partnered up with artist Damon Brown to design a new line of cups for Black History Month.
-
In honor of Super Bowl 58, Pepsi is bringing a special brunch event to Las Vegas as part of its broader Dig In program supporting Black-owned restaurants.
-
Properly seasoning a batch of soup is not the easiest thing in the world to do. If you find you've screwed yours up, there's a simple solution in the pantry.
-
The topic of who actually invented the beloved dish from India has been contested for years, but now it's actually having its day in court.
-
A San Francisco Costco is stocking bottles of Código 1530 Añejo barrel strength tequila, labeled as limited edition and part of the Costco Wholesale Collection
-
Do you remember when red pistachios used to flood supermarkets across the U.S.? Let's dive into why pistachios were dyed red and why they went out of fashion.
-
Keeping your banneton liner in prime condition is one of the top priorities for bread baking aficionados, and you want to make sure to clean it properly.
-
Ribeye and chuck are common pre-shaved options you can find, especially at Asian markets, but there is one other option I prefer even more.
-
When making pies from scratch, you're bound to wind up with some extra dough cuttings. Here's how to turn them from trash into a little treat.
-
Keeping track of exactly how many shots you are consuming may not be top of the list while enjoying a cocktail, but there's a pretty easy way to estimate.
-
Whether you're making dinner for one or hosting a party, you want to ensure you get the right ingredients. Here's the best cut of steak to accompany pasta.
-
Popular Utah-based dessert chain Crumbl released its first non-cookie offering: fluffy, cake-like Cinnamon Squares. The limited edition treat is available now.
-
Everybody says their local barista is the best, but thanks to the inaugural Starbucks North America Barista Championship we'll crown one true champion.
-
Are you a fan of fudgy brownies or would you rather they be more like cake? Whichever you prefer, it's your choice of chocolatey goodness that matters.
-
Pasta salad is a deli side classic that can be reimagined a thousand different ways, and Caesar dressing is the perfect addition to give yours more dimension.
-
This year, Barilla is bringing back Barilla Love and expanding its availability to select grocery stores and Nordstrom Restaurant Group locations nationwide.