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!

Recipe: Easy oven baked carnitas

December 7, 2019December 7, 2019 by Stuart Melling

Like most of my recipes, this one was cobbled together from reading various websites and crafting what sounded easy and delicious. And it couldn’t be easier. This one takes barely …

Gardein Savory Stuffed Turk’y

February 8, 2020December 5, 2019 by Stuart Melling

Just a few days after Thanksgiving and my local Whole Foods was selling these (and other vegan seasonal specials) at half price. I’d always been a little apprehensive at their …

What to do with canned black beans

December 7, 2019November 19, 2019 by Stuart Melling

Black beans are one of the secret weapons in our personal pantry. They’re loaded with fiber and thoroughly healthy. They can be bought in any grocery store and are very …

Great Value Korean Inspired Beef Street Taco Kit

February 8, 2020November 15, 2019 by Stuart Melling

How do you know when a food trend has REALLY been accepted into the mainstream? When Walmart’s Great Value brand starts churning out pre-made frozen versions – that’s how! This …

Butterball Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties review

February 8, 2020November 13, 2019 by Stuart Melling

Breakfast in less than 60 seconds? Those kind of promises are enough to make me snatch greedily at any package on the shelf; I am after all, a man of …

Tyson Anytizers Popcorn Chicken

February 8, 2020October 19, 2019 by Stuart Melling

I wish I’d jumped on board the Anytizers bandwagon much sooner. For the longest time I’d avoided this particular product line imagining it would be another ‘all hype and no …

Tai Pei Chicken Egg Rolls review

February 8, 2020October 19, 2019 by Stuart Melling

The comforting allure of Chinese food from the double comfort of my own home, speaks massively to my lazy, oh so lazy nature. Sure I could head out into the …

StarAnise Foods Garlic Lemongrass Simmer Sauce review

October 19, 2019October 19, 2019 by Stuart Melling

I often shy away from cooking sauces in this format; time and again my experience is that the preservatives used to keep the sauces shelf stable make for a lackluster …

Sam’s Club 100% Angus Beef Burgers

October 11, 2019 by Stuart Melling

I’m a little leery about buying frozen burgers. Much like the mysteries of certain cheaper hot dogs, frozen burger patties immediately give me uneasy feeling – exactly what’s in this …

Chile Colorado recipe

September 23, 2020October 5, 2019 by Stuart Melling

Hands up time! While absolutely delicious, I’ve no idea how authentic this recipe is. As a native Brit, there’s not a hint of South American cooking expertise in my lineage. …