Matthew Francis (original) (raw)

Title: Chef, Senior Video Producer, Director

Education: The Culinary Institute of America

Location: Vestavia Hills, Alabama

Expertise: Classic cooking techniques, nutritional cooking

Highlight

Matthew Francis is a chef, senior producer, director and stars in the bright and instructional video series from EatingWell, Fresh & Simple. He is known for his more than 3,200 recipe videos, as well as his cooking competition wins, food travel vlogs and published LGBTQ+ fiction writing. His professional restaurant background, B.B.A. culinary degree and life as a young digital native make him the perfect chef to break down complex cooking tasks with humor and simplicity for home cooks who watch online.

With over 11 years in the culinary world, Matthew can efficiently explain culinary techniques and terms with charm, passion and wit. Matthew specializes in describing the commonly forgotten “why” with all cooking steps. He also loves wholesome nutrition, twists on classic recipes and exploring thrilling authentic dishes from around the world. His goal is to be your chatty best friend in the kitchen who makes cooking an educational and soul-enriching habit you savor every day.

Matthew’s food video experience began at the Culinary Institute of America, where he got his bachelor's in Culinary Arts Management with a minor in entrepreneurship. Before graduating, he won national cooking competitions to earn scholarship money and filmed food and travel videos on his personal YouTube channel.

In 2021, Matthew joined EatingWell as a chef and senior video producer to lead a food and film crew and direct 20 hands-only recipe videos each week for the company’s food brands. In 2023, Matthew partnered with EatingWell to lead their social-first show, Fresh & Simple.

Matthew has a deep and natural passion for cooking and storytelling which stems from his Luxembourgish/Italian family and years of watching way too much food TV and sci-fi movies. A true Gen Z and millennial mix, Matthew knows how to make food oh-so-satisfying for the fast-paced world of social media, pop culture and global interests. When not cooking, producing or writing, Matthew loves to play softball and Dungeons & Dragons and go for long nature walks listening to comedy podcasts and audiobooks.

B.B.A. in Culinary Arts, The Culinary Institute of America

About EatingWell

EatingWell, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, has been publishing award-winning journalism about food, nutrition and sustainability since 1990. Our mission is to share flavor-packed recipes from around the world, celebrating fresh ingredients and the farmers, artisans and chefs who bring them to our table. Through science-backed nutrition advice and smart stories about sustainability, we help readers live their best lives. Learn more about us and our editorial process.