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!

The Beyond Burger review – updated for 2020

June 14, 2020April 5, 2018 by Stuart Melling

Updated 2020 review In late 2019 Beyond Meat updated their recipe for their popular pea protein based burger. As a result we thought an updated review might be order. You …

Review: Silva Linguica Portuegese Sausage

September 21, 2019April 3, 2018 by Stuart Melling

If you’ve never tried Portuguese linguica sausage it isn’t unlike several other European sausages such as Kielbasa. This particular product from California based Silva caught my eye on a recent …

Review: No Evil Foods The Stallion Sausages

September 21, 2019April 2, 2018 by Stuart Melling

I was immediately drawn to this product by the classy packaging; a handsome cardboard box that screamed quality. Right into my shopping cart they went. I almost didn’t want to …

Recipe: Fish Pie

April 2, 2018 by Stuart Melling

Fish what? Pie? What? My brain hurts… This is normally the befuzzled reaction I get when I explain one of my family’s favorite dishes. You’re more than likely thinking this …

Review: Is Purple Carrot Worth It?

April 3, 2018March 30, 2018 by Stuart Melling

Purple Carrot - lemon braised fennel recipe and ingredients

Is Purple Carrot worth it? I am sure that’s a question you’ve asked yourself time and again as you’ve hovered over the checkout button. I know I asked myself more …

Review: Walmart Premium Mahi-Mahi Fillets

September 21, 2019March 28, 2018 by Stuart Melling

If you’re like me, you’re always scouring the frozen food aisles looking for something that’s actually good. A quality product that isn’t junk and full of filler ingredients, salt and …

Recipe: Pico De Gallo

October 11, 2019March 27, 2018 by Stuart Melling

One of the simplest recipes in my cook book and one of the most used; especially in the warmer Summer months when you’ll find me making this at least once …

Review: Upton’s Naturals Bar-B-Que Jackfruit

July 17, 2018March 25, 2018 by Stuart Melling

Upton's Naturals BBQ Jackfruit before opening

Jackfruit has been all the rage the last few years. A staple of Asian markets and pantries, the spiky fruit has reached awareness in the West as a versatile meat-free …

Review: Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage Sausage

September 4, 2021March 23, 2018 by Stuart Melling

Field Roast Smoked Apple Sage Sausage package

These vegetarian sausages are usually found in the refrigerated section of the store; often times in a place like Whole Foods they’re intermingled with the vegan products. I’m not quite …