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!

Gorton’s Cod Fish Sticks

February 18, 2022 by Stuart Melling

I had a double take moment when I added these to my grocery cart. This packet of fish sticks from Gorton’s was North of the $10 mark at my local …

Home Chef Beef Chili With Beans

February 13, 2022 by Stuart Melling

It’s been interesting to see how home meal kit companies have tried to expand beyond their subscription models these last few days. These days its not uncommon to find dishes …

Jack & Annie’s Smoky Jack Sausage

February 13, 2022 by Stuart Melling

Before the pea-protein craze ignited by the likes of Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat – jack fruit based vegan food was all the rage. The Internet became littered with recipes …

Nando’s Perinaise sauce

February 13, 2022 by Stuart Melling

Quick review: Ever on the search for a new sauce in my arsenal, my wife proudly found this one out in the world. To be clear I am a huge …

Hereford Luncheon Meat – what’s in the can

February 13, 2022 by Stuart Melling

Like a moth to the proverbial, I am drawn repeatedly to those weird cans of meat on the shelf. You know the ones, the ones you stare at curiously, but …

Tyson Any’tizers Buffalo Hot Wings

February 13, 2022February 13, 2022 by Stuart Melling

All the promise of your favorite sports bar, from the convenience of your own freezer. Therein lies the promise of this hefty sack of precooked wings from chicken-experts Tyson. Cooking: …

Roasted beets with crushed pistachios and goat cheese

February 13, 2022 by Stuart Melling

A side dish that’s as good in Spring as it is in the Fall. I like to make this at Thanksgiving. It starts with oven roasted beets. I prefer to …

Garden Inspirations Plant Based Meatballs

February 13, 2022February 13, 2022 by Stuart Melling

After two extremely disappointing produces from Farm Rich’s Garden Inspiration line, I went into this one more than a little dubious. Cooking: These are very versatile – listing baking, frying, …

Perdue Chicken Breast Tenders

February 13, 2022February 13, 2022 by Stuart Melling

Cooking: You can bake or microwave these per the packaging (see below). Microwaving delivers a listless experience, all spongy and soggy and mushy. I went with the air fryer, and …

Is Catch Sitka Seafood any good?

April 24, 2022February 10, 2022 by Stuart Melling

If you’re a foodie, you’ve probably seen ads for several Alaskan seafood providers in your social media feeds. There’s a handful of businesses out there which provide a service similar …