Author

About the Author
I've lived an uncommonly colorful & delicious life. I'm a longtime chef, radio guy, and successful entrepreneur. You can expect a fun and engaging conversation with me. I'll address almost any topic you wish to explore. (And no, I won't talk over you). Ready?

How Much Food Do You Actually Need for Thanksgiving?

  Thanksgiving should be about joy and abundance, and nothing is more joyful than an abundant amount of pie. Running out of food has never been a problem at any Thanksgiving dinner I’ve ever attended. I’ve never seen it happen. But if this is your first year hosting or (thanks to the pandemic) you’ve simply forgotten…

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Matthew Gray Writes: 20 best German foods

German food is rich, hearty and diverse. It’s comfort eating with high-quality, often locally sourced ingredients. The cuisine of Germany has been shaped not only by the country’s agricultural traditions but by the many immigrants that have made the country home over the centuries. It’s definitely more than a mere mix of beer, sauerkraut and…

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Matthew Gray Writes: Everything You Need To Know About Dried Mexican Chiles

By Chef Matthew Gray… One of my very favorite authorities on all-things-chile is Olerico.com – they sent me a wonderful Chile Care Package when they learned I was outfitting hotel kitchens around the United States. If you need any chile products, recipes or information, Olerico is a spicy-fine destination. Muchas Gracias, friends! When you think…

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Matthew Gray Writes: ☼ Comfort Food & a Malasada recipe ☼

☼ Comfort Food & a Malasada recipe ☼ ☼ The days and nights are getting colder, rainier, snowier. We all seek the love and warmth and closeness that special people share with us. Another important factor, of course, is the love that comfort food provides. I’m including my recipe for the famous Portuguese doughnut called…

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Matthew Gray Writes: What A Fucked Up Year – 2021 in Review

Serving as a catharsis (for me), a throwback (quite in vogue nowadays) and a caption contest (for you!), I invite you to read on… In a year, a very fucked-up year, of loved ones lost, political and racial turmoil, lockdowns, of in-person friendships becoming distant memories, my beloved 16-year old business Hawaii Food Tours crashing…

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Matthew Gray Writes: Final Observations of London

  After our first week in Europe, and before we set sail for the Netherlands, here are our thoughts about London… Everyone is from somewhere else. Everyone drinks. Everyone smokes. Can’t wait to return! On to Amsterdam…

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Matthew Gray Writes: Underground Music

One of the very cool aspects of travel are the (strolling, standing, sitting) musicians you see throughout the public transport systems, especially in the New York Subway, London Underground and the Paris Metro. Many of the musicians are, of course, hoping to earn a bit of money (earning their entire living perhaps) while playing their…

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♥ Matthew Gray Writes: Girlfriend Goes Boom ♥

Usually, we’re self-described “mellow truckers” and rarely dress-up when going out. Yes, I love my spectacular necktie collection, but aside from that we really lean to the casual. But this was no ordinary evening, no-no. Lin, who usually wears slippers/sandals, decided to wear high heels and,oh dear, whoopsie, falls down the stairs! It sounded like……

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Matthew Gray Writes: Pennies From Heaven

Today, while walking across an open, grassy park, I became excited as my hand swooped toward the ground like a hawk attacking its prey. I picked up half of a $5 bill. (*Sidenote; I’ve always found money. Most recently in Denver. But one time, while driving down Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles, I saw an…

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Matthew Gray Writes: Why It’s Rude to Text “OK”

We here at Hawaii Food Tours think that food is always the answer, however, many of you would not agree. Therefore we believe that any and all topics are open to discussion. Here’s one, about texting… Are you OK with that? If someone asks you a question online or over text, do not respond with…

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