Matty Matheson signing copies of new cookbook
Celebrity chef promoting book from Fort Erie home during pandemic
Matty Matheson had a three-month tour planned that would’ve taken him to Japan, Germany, Australia, Scotland and France to promote his new cookbook.
Cancelled months ago by CO
VID-19, the celebrity chef is instead connecting with fans this weekend at home in Fort Erie and signing copies of “Home Style Cookery,” released by Abrams Books on Tuesday.
To push his first writing project, the New York Times bestselling “Matty Matheson: A Cookbook,” he embarked on a North American tour starting in Vancouver and ending in Chicago.
On Monday, he made a pre-recorded virtual appearance on “The Today Show,” on top of a number of other Canadian and U.S. morning shows in recent days.
“This is kind of easier than ever. I didn’t have to travel or do anything
and it’s still happening,” he said about the release of his latest tome of recipes not being impacted by COVID-19.
“Usually, I’m travelling non-stop. Now, I’m doing everything literally from home.”
Matheson has a partnership with Campbell’s and has produced a number of cooking videos from his home kitchen in rural Ridgeway for their project.
Home-cooked meals made up about half of “Matty Matheson: A Cookbook,” the other half a lot of restaurant-style recipes. It has sold more than 150,000 copies worldwide.
His latest book is designed to encourage readers to be confident in making food at home.
On Wednesday morning, it was listed as the fourth bestselling book in Canada on Amazon.
Stocks, breads, soups, salads, dips
Watch Matty Matheson prepare his seven-layer dip from his new cookbook on our website
are a major component, as well as smoking, roasting and grilling.
“This is a tip of the hat to home cooking from the basic to the more extravagant things,” he said.
Friday to Sunday, pre-registered fans will flock to the site of his regular Matty Matheson Meat + Three event that has been taking place in Fort Erie since late April, which has also served as a fundraiser for Women’s Place of South Niagara.
Books will be available for purchase there, but people who’ve bought one elsewhere are still invited to stop by, wearing a mask, to get an autograph.
“If somebody shows up that bought my book, I’m not turning them away,” he said.
Matheson spent his adolescent and teen years living in Fort Erie before moving to Toronto.
He and his wife, Trish, are expecting their third child any day.
A much different time in the
world now than when his last book came out, he is comfortable at home with his family while promoting his latest book.
Instead of flying around the continent like he did two years ago, he spent time at home Tuesday in his garden and drove to Niagara Falls for photos.
“I’m just happy it’s out and people are getting it,” Matheson said.
His Fort Erie event is a part
nership with Kendale Products Ltd., a kitchen equipment supplier that’s under the same umbrella as Billy Bones BBQ, at 465 Central Ave. in Fort Erie.
Matheson has dozens of YouTube videos that have been viewed more than a million times.
On Instagram, he has 920,000 followers.