Student. Writer. Hospitaliarian.

The Man With a Fork

Student. Writer. Hospitalitarian.

Redwood National Park, California (2012)

A while back, as a high school student, I followed my passion for food to develop a blog, The Man With a Fork.  Having such youth, however, I lacked monetary fund’s to critique restaurants, nor did I have the expertise to provide valuable input.  Three years later, at the age of twenty-two, an undergraduate degree under the belt, and eight years of hospitality experience, I’m back to write, to write food.  The question may remain of expertise, and so follow my credentials.

Work History

I started my first hospitality job when I was freshly 14 years of age, being paid under the counter.  From being paid under the counter to serving behind the counter, I spent my high school years working at a local 50s bar and restaurant, a corporate fast-casual pasta concept, and an venue/event management company.  In addition, I volunteered and worked for an economic development non-profit organization, On Broadway, Incorporated, for which I operated a large-scale farmers market (Farmers Market On Broadway) and annual food festival (Taste On Broadway). Currently I work for a corporate fast-casual deli company in the Greater Chicago, Illinois area.

LinkedIn Profile

Matthew Giguere at work with special guest (2012)

Education
A 2011 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout’s undergraduate program in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management, my education is spotlighted also by a number of cultural experiences.  In 2010, a National Student Exchange program allowed me to study in America’s gastronomic capital, New Orleans, Louisiana.  There I learned insurmountably from the writings of Tom Fitzmorris, Sara Roahen, and Eric Lolis Elie; the dining rooms of John Besh, Donald Link, and the Brennans; and the streets of a Saints Super Bowl-winning Mardi Gras.  Never more have I seen the culture of a city alive.  While much was learned within the classroom, cultural experiences were the pinnacle of my education

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Restaurant Operations Class, University of Wisconsin-Stout (2011)

Cultural Experience

While studying at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, I had the great privilege of having a roommate from the wonderful country of Panama.  While developing this relationship, I found an appreciation for culture, by networking with a number of other international students.  In each of their customs came a yearning for travel.

In May of 2011, I traveled to Panama.  Over a two week span, living with a Panamanian native, there were many opportunities to indulge in Latin American hospitality.  "Hospitality in Panama," in the words of my dear friend, "is food, and food is hospitality."  From the five meals a day I had while meeting family members and friends, to the attempt at the local Tipico dance, the 'food' was truly an inspiration.  The country of Panama lived up to its name, with an abundance of fish, butterflies, trees, and even more, hospitality.

Panmanian Tipico Dancers (2011)

What is ‘The Man With a Fork?’

Food. Culture. Education.  This is what you can expect from ‘The Man With a Fork,’ a collaborative body of work on the sociological and cultural influence of our food in a present and historical context.  This means reviews of restaurants and books, essays on modern food systems, and a reflection on the food of yesterday.  As a birth resident of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and current resident of Oak Park, Illinois, one can expect this blog to take a Midwestern root, but branch out globally through cultural travel experiences.  Food, Culture, and education are the framework for which this blog will grow organically.  Please join in the quest for quality food, appreciation of gastronomy, and inspiration from cultural experiences.