Meet Matt Armendariz, a veteran food blogger known for the gorgeous photography, engaging design and standout recipes featured on his blog, Matt Bites. (It’s no surprise his fans include names like Martha Stewart and Gwyneth Paltrow.)
We’ve loved seeing his exciting travels and behind-the-scenes takes on the food industry through his well-written, enthusiastic posts, so we asked Matt a few questions to get to know him better. Read on for the full scoop!
What’s the story behind the name of your blog?
Well, seeing that I’m a giant goofball, I decided early on for something self-deprecating so that I could beat every critic and naysayer to the punch. And since I love to eat, well, “bite” was appropriate.
What’s your favorite recipe on your blog and why?
They are like my children — how could I ever choose? OK, but seriously, it would have to be something quick and easy that focuses on fresh seasonal flavors, like my Vegetable Crumble or a very simple Pasta with Colatura.
You’re hosting a dinner party tomorrow night. What would you serve?
I just happen to be the proud owner of a brand new wood-fired outdoor pizza oven. It’s part of an outdoor kitchen project that’s thisssss close to being completed. Since we live in Southern California, I’d take my dinner party outside, sit on the deck, and make very simple pizzas — only a few ingredients and lots and lots and lots and lots of wine.
What ingredients do you look forward to the most every year?
Heirloom tomatoes (l’m a fiend for them!) and winter squashes. Nothing gets me more excited than giant platters of caprese salads or roasted butternut or acorn squash. They are even great in desserts. The squashes I mean, not the tomatoes. Or maybe.
What do you eat when you’re alone?
Perhaps the most unromantic thing I can think of: a corn tortilla with smashed avocado and sea salt. But it sure hits the spot.
Who’s your ideal dinner guest?
Oh, you know I can’t pick just one! But it’d definitely be someone who can hold their own at the table and embrace a variety of beliefs and practices. And someone who likes wine and won’t laugh at my misshapen pizza.
What’s on your dinner playlist?
Right now it’s Lou Donaldson, Oscar Peterson, Les McCann, Piero Umiliani and Charo (from the Salsoul Era, naturally).
What’s the first food blog you look at every day, besides your own?
It would be my best friend Gaby of What’s Gaby Cooking. We live in the same city and I even photographed her first cookbook, but about the only time I actually see her or know what she’s doing is through her blog! My fault entirely. And Joy The Baker, another friend of mine. I probably read too many food blogs to mention, thanks to RSS feeds!
6 comments
[…] Veteran food blogger Matt Armendariz is known for the gorgeous photography, engaging design and standout recipes featured on his blog, Matt Bites. When he’s not in his studio shooting food, he’s on the road or in his backyard having a love affair with his wood-fired pizza oven. Read on for his top holiday gift picks, and get to know him better in our exclusive Q&A. […]
I would never laugh at your misshapen pizzas!
…that vegetable crumble! I *will* be making that soon!
[…] and yes I had to buy them in every color. But enough napkin talk. I’m super excited to share this, a very quick little Q&A/Blogger Spotlight I did with them last week. Please click on over to […]
Williams-Sonoma how can you post this fabulous story and receipe like the Pasta with Colatura and not sell Colatura?
I want to be on your guest list!
What a lovely feature — smashed avocado with sea salt is my go-to lazy meal, too! And I’ll now be fantasizing about my own wood-fired outdoor pizza oven for the rest of the day!