E102 Matt Basile
Working Hard And Being Smart
Matt Basile is the founder of the Toronto-based street food brand, Fidel Gastro's, which, within four years, went from an underground sandwich pop-up to an internationally recognized food brand. Now almost a decade later, Matt has a still growing business of food experiences, restaurant consulting and new and exciting foodie-filled projects on the way. Matt always strives to be different in an industry steeped in tradition.
For two seasons, Matt was the host of the internationally aired, reality TV show, Rebel Without a Kitchen, seen on Netflix, the Travel and Escape Channel, the Cooking Channel, and the Asian Food Channel. In 2015, Matt was nominated for a coveted Canadian Screen Award for Best Host of a Canadian Reality Series. In spring 2020, Matt starred in CBC’s new reality show, Fridge Wars, which will see two celebrity chefs challenge each other to make the best meals possible using only ingredients found in Canadian families’ homes across the country.
Matt is also the author of the bestselling cookbooks, Street Food Diaries and Brunch Life, which was nominated for a Taste Canada Award and a World Gourmand award. He has also contributed as a food writer for Huffington Post and Vice, and is a regular guest on programs such as Global Morning and Breakfast Television.
The Fidel Gastro’s brand celebrated six phenomenal years with their brick and mortar gastro pub, Lisa Marie, which was featured on various TV series, including You Gotta Eat Here! and Chef In The City. It was also ranked as the ninth best brunch spot in Canada by OpenTable magazine.
Today, in addition to growing Fidel Gastro’s brand, Matt collaborates with brands and food personalities over his popular social media and YouTube channels. He also posts original recipes and hosts cooking series via YouTube, including Chefs in Cars Getting Takeout, Date Night with Grandma, and YAAA Brunch.
Links:
Instagram @chefmattbasile
TikTok @chefmattbasile
Chef Matt Basile Youtube Channel
email us: [email protected]
Podcast Artwork by Zak Hannah