Stuart Melling

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC - Utah's biggest and oldest online food magazine; I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune. I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV shows. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have covered the Utah dining scene for the better part of fifteen years. I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand. I started Shop Smart to catalogue my adventures in the grocery store and kitchen. Follow along on Instagram too!

Boar’s Head Chicken Bratwurst review

March 15, 2021March 13, 2021 by Stuart Melling

Boar’s Head are a name you might already know for their quality deli-meats, found at many grocery stores. What you might not know is that their product range goes beyond …

Kroger Thai Chili Lime Tilapia review

March 15, 2021March 13, 2021 by Stuart Melling

As heat and serve meals go, this one is certainly a little different to the run of the mill. Fish, Thai flavors, a pretty clean and fresh packet – sold. …

TGI Fridays Boneless Chicken Bites Honey BBQ review

March 15, 2021March 13, 2021 by Stuart Melling

Bring the fun and flavor of your local T.G.I. Friday’s right to your own kitchen table – so presumably goes the thought process behind these. TGI are just one of …

Simple Truth Plant Based Ham Style Deli Slices review

March 15, 2021March 13, 2021 by Stuart Melling

I find Kroger’s Simple Truth lineup frustratingly erratic in terms of quality. I suspect it’s something to do with the depth and breadth of the product line which features just …

Banquet Salisbury Steaks review

March 15, 2021March 13, 2021 by Stuart Melling

I’ll make no secret of the fact I’m a fan of junky food – processed and prodded well past any link to the vegetables or animals that comprise its make …

Kroger Original Pork Sausage Patties review

March 15, 2021March 11, 2021 by Stuart Melling

Lets be honest, the elephant in the room are those bright red boxes of Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausages; we’ve probably all reached for a carton down through the years right. …

Applegate Naturals Uncured Beef Corn Dogs

January 26, 2021 by Stuart Melling

Stuart MellingHi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you! I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC – Utah’s biggest and oldest online food magazine; I’m also a former restaurant …

Meat free Impossible gyro

July 3, 2022December 10, 2020 by Stuart Melling

I found the basics for this plant-based gyro over on the Impossible Food website here. I was looking for something interesting to do with the meat other than the regular …

Birds Eye Crispy Green Beans review

March 15, 2021December 10, 2020 by Stuart Melling

One noticeable trend I’ve seen in the freezer aisles of late is an attempt to translate trendy restaurant dishes into quick-serve dishes for the home; I guess it’s not all …