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!

How to cook the perfect turkey

November 30, 2020 by Stuart Melling

If you’ve ever spent the day before Thanksgiving or Christmas poring over websites on how to cook the perfect turkey dinner – I know exactly where you’re at. You think, …

Sichuan fish – pan fried dry style

November 14, 2020 by Stuart Melling

This one is modeled after one of my favorite Sichuan dishes – spicy boiled fish. Rather than a bubbling pot, this one is a quick affair cooked up in a …

Simple Truth Emerge Plant Based Chik’N Grind review

November 13, 2020 by Stuart Melling

The first time I came across Kroger’s Emerge line of plant-based foods, was back in January of this year; I reviewed the meat free patties here, and as I recall …

Talking turkey with the USDA – what you need to know

November 10, 2020 by Stuart Melling

With the upcoming big day approaching fast the USDA has put together a little info on selecting the best turkey for your table. After all America has 2,500 turkey farms …

Marie Callender’s Meatless Gardein Be’f Pot Pie review

November 7, 2020 by Stuart Melling

As plant-based products continue to debut all over the grocery store, we’re starting to see link ups between existing big name brands; this particular one sees the classic Marie Callender’s …

The perfect fried rice – what you need to know

May 15, 2021October 31, 2020 by Stuart Melling

I won’t share with you exactly how many fried rice dishes I’ve made down through the years – it’s an embarrassing number. Lets just say: I love fried rice. If …

Reuben sandwich

October 31, 2020 by Stuart Melling

I’m hard pressed to name my favorite anything, let alone sandwich, but this one comes close. Real close. Certainly I can’t imagine anything materially better between two slices of bread. …

Italian-style nachos

October 18, 2020 by Stuart Melling

My wife tasked me with this one, essentially a home-made take on a dish from a well known chain restaurant. After all, home cooking is ultimately always healthier, even when …

Incogmeato Chik’N Nuggets – some of the best around

July 6, 2021October 6, 2020 by Stuart Melling

MorningStar Farms Incogmeato Chik'N Nuggets

I didn’t go into this one with much excitement nor huge expectations. I recently sampled the Incogmeato Burger and in totally honesty I wasn’t particularly blown away. The burger was …

Marie Callender’s Pub Style Steak & Ale pie

September 25, 2020September 25, 2020 by Stuart Melling

I’m sure I’m not alone in having a soft spot for Marie Callender’s pot pies. With their calorie count I don’t even them as often as I’d like, but when …