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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 Ultimate Plant-Based Jerky

November 29, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Jerky

There was a time I would purchase a Gardein product with more than a little caution. The brand’s approach to rapid product release and development meant the overall line was, …

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Categories Grocery, Pantry, Vegan, Vegetarian Tags Gardein Leave a comment

Whole Foods 365 Spinach And Cheese Spanakopita

November 29, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Whole Foods 365 Spinach And Cheese Spanakopita

Stuart MellingHi, 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 …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery, Vegetarian Tags 365, Whole Foods Leave a comment

Sitka Salmon Shares release new one time boxes

November 29, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Sitka Salmon - Holiday Seafood Sampler Box

You might recall last year I featured the fabulous Sitka Salmon Shares; the Alaskan based seafood company that ships right to your door. I immediately fell in love with the …

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Categories Grocery Tags Sitka Salmon Shares Leave a comment

Del Real Pollo Deshebrado review

November 7, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Del Real Pollo Deshebrado

I quite enjoyed the Chile Verde from Del Real, so much so, I’ve tasked myself with slowly working my way through their line up. This shredded chicken product comes in …

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Categories Grocery, Refrigerated Tags Del Real Foods Leave a comment

Brooklyn Delhi Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce

November 7, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Brooklyn Delhi Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce

Quick review: Ive been looking for a goto pre-made Indian curry (in jar format) for as long as I can remember now. Easily two decades or more. I’ve yet to …

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Categories Cooking Sauce, Grocery, Pantry, Sauce Tags Brooklyn Delhi Leave a comment

365 Shawarma Marinade – a hidden gem

November 7, 2021 by Stuart Melling
365 Shawarma Marinade

Quick review: Want to make some home made shawarma with the minimum of fuss and ease? Reach for this pre-made marinade from Whole Foods in store 365 label – one …

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Categories Cooking Sauce, Grocery, Pantry, Sauce Tags 365, Whole Foods Leave a comment

We tasted every flavor of spam – which is the best?

September 10, 2022October 26, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Varieties of spam

SPAM. Love it or loathe it, those big bright yellow letters are now an iconic staple found on grocery store shelves across the world. We won’t retell the story of …

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Categories What you need to know Tags Hormel, SPAM Leave a comment

Southside Market & Barbeque – Beef Sausage reviewed

October 26, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Southside Market and Barbeque rope sausage

First up, a quick disclosure. I am an affiliate of Southside (affiliate link), if you make a purchase via this page I get a small referral fee. They were also …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery Tags Southside Market & Barbeque Leave a comment

The Cheese Lover Shop – are they any good?

October 26, 2021 by Stuart Melling
The Cheese Lover Club cheeses

First up, a quick disclosure. I am an affiliate of The Cheese Lover Shop (affiliate link), if you make a purchase from this page I get a small referral fee. …

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Categories Grocery, Refrigerated, Subscription Tags The Cheese Lover Shop Leave a comment

Garden Inspirations Breaded Zucchini Sticks

September 18, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Garden Inspirations Breaded Zucchini Sticks

This is the second Garden Inspirations product I’ve tried in as many weeks – the last being their new BBQ sliders. In case Garden Inspirations is a new name to …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery, Vegan, Vegetarian Tags FarmRich, Garden Inspirations Leave a comment
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  1. Joe on Review: Kroger Pork CarnitasMarch 10, 2024

    I'll never buy again! The package contained fully 12 (out of 16) ounces of pure pork fat. Totally unacceptable. Major…

  2. K B on Review: Van de Kamp’s Crispy Fish FilletsFebruary 28, 2024

    I complained to them and they sent me a measly $4 coupon to buy them again.’they won’t be in my…

  3. Melissa on Kroger Private Selection Angus Beef Burgers reviewFebruary 27, 2024

    I like them if you add water to the hamburger. When it's cooking it won't be so much grace

  4. Pamela D. on Tai Pei Chicken Egg Rolls reviewJanuary 18, 2024

    I had some for dinner last night . The first bite was so spicy, I had trouble getting back into…

  5. Robert Whitney on Simple Truth Natural Beef Burgers reviewJanuary 6, 2024

    YES!!! I both them a little bit ago and made them but they taste like they have permanent freezer burn…

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  • Joe on Review: Kroger Pork Carnitas
  • K B on Review: Van de Kamp’s Crispy Fish Fillets
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