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!

Gardein Seven Grain Crispy Tenders review

August 29, 2021August 17, 2019 by Stuart Melling

These tenders represent an oddity in the larger Gardein lineup, well, at least in my mind they do. The eschew the general ingredient makeup found in other items in the …

Recipe: Chicken Tinga

September 21, 2019August 6, 2019 by Stuart Melling

Full disclosure: I came up with this approximation for chicken tinga after Googling several recipes and pulling together the best bits – pretty much how I make any new recipe. …

Heinz MayoCue review

February 8, 2020August 6, 2019 by Stuart Melling

The tongue-in-cheek releases from Heinz of late, give a small wry smile if nothing else; Kranch, MayoMust, MayoChup – and this BBQ-Mayo fusion – MayoCue. I have to imagine Heinz …

Review: Beyond Meat Beyond Beef

October 11, 2019August 6, 2019 by Stuart Melling

I won’t lie. The $10.99 price on this package made me wince as I lowered it from shelf to grocery cart. This new ground beef substitute from Beyond Meat is …

No Evil Foods Pulled Pork BBQ review

February 8, 2020July 7, 2019 by Stuart Melling

I wonder how much No Evil Foods product leaps from shelving to cart simply off the elegant packaging alone. There’s absolutely no denying the aesthetics of this brand. I’d wager …

Diestel Turkey Burgers review

February 8, 2020July 7, 2019 by Stuart Melling

Years ago, turkey burgers where my goto for a healthy choice of protein. These days though I find myself eating and less meat turning more and more to vegan products. …

Fresh Gourmet Crispy Jalapeños review

July 7, 2019July 7, 2019 by Stuart Melling

What surprised me most about this product was the heat. I’m a moderate lover of spice (sriracha is a ketchup substitute in those house) but still I found these slightly …

Green Giant Veggie Tots Cauliflower review

February 8, 2020July 7, 2019 by Stuart Melling

Looking for a side dish that isn’t from usual carby-suspects? I’m looking at you potatoes and rice. If so, this healthier option from Green Giant may have caught your eye …

Review: Tandoor Chef Kofta Curry

January 26, 2020June 22, 2019 by Stuart Melling

Time and again, I’m impressed by the excellence of Tandoor Chef. I don’t believe I’ve ever been let down by one of their frozen products and the cherry on top …

Three Bridges Italian Sausage Ziti

October 11, 2019June 22, 2019 by Stuart Melling

For my general thoughts on these Three Bridges heat and serve dishes see my first review here. This is another dish from the same range, combining slices of Italian sausage …