School
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Mount Mary University
Expertise
Asian Cooking, Organic & Natural Food, Food Writing
- Before becoming a writer, Craig made sushi for 10 years at Sendiks — an upscale food market — creating and perfecting numerous original recipes for which he received a write-up in Milwaukee Magazine.
- He has worked numerous jobs within the food space, including doing cooking demos, conducting natural foods classes, and teaching cooking and food making at the Milwaukee Recreation Department.
- Craig cultivates his interest in organic food and ethnic cooking as a home chef and enjoys making food for his family.
Experience
Craig began his culinary journey with his first official high-school job as a cook at a well-known Milwaukee-area burger and custard joint called Kopp's. He developed a passion for discovering the stories behind food, including where ingredients come from, how they are used, and the history behind treasured recipes and food styles. Craig pursued this interest by telling the stories of food makers and producers, highlighting organic farming, noteworthy chefs and their businesses, and locally produced organic teas while working as a multimedia specialist at Outpost Natural Foods co-op. He has also written food, drink, and restaurant articles for MKE Lifestyle Magazine, among other writing venues.
Education
Craig holds a B.A. in anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an M.A. in English with a writing concentration from Mount Mary University. He won an all-college award as a student journalist at Arches, the Mount Mary University newspaper, and was inducted into Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honors Society.
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This tropical fruit makes a festive centerpiece for your holiday charcuterie board. Super simple to transform, it takes your presentation to a whole new level.
By Craig Mattson
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Coffee And Tea
By Craig Mattson
Turn your favorite coffee into delicious ice pops using only three ingredients. Perfect for hot days, these creamy, refreshing treats are easy to make at home.
By Craig Mattson
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Add a little extra pizzazz to any bland, boring potato dish with one incredibly affordable ingredient that you might already have in your kitchen.
By Craig Mattson
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Food Science
By Craig Mattson
Turkish vendors often perform playful tricks while serving ice cream to customers, but this key ingredient is what prevents it from melting into a mess.
By Craig Mattson
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Transform these common weeds into a delicious fried treat with this Appalachian snack. It's so easy to make, you'll want to have it all the time.
By Craig Mattson
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Fat is essential for preparing perfectly crispy roasted potatoes, so we asked an expert for the scoop on the best one. Turns out, you should actually use two.
By Craig Mattson
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Kitchen Tools
By Craig Mattson
Is your garage refrigerator running? If your area has reached freezing temperatures, you'll need to catch this fridge thermostat error before it's too late.
By Craig Mattson
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The easiest stuffing ever doesn't even need to go in the oven. Save space for your Thanksgiving turkey by cooking your stuffing in this appliance.
By Craig Mattson
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Wow your friends, family, and guests at your next holiday gathering with this delicious and refreshingly tasty twist on a classic green bean side dish.
By Craig Mattson
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Straight from a historical ranch in Texas, these BBQ sauces are labeled as cowboy-approved. Choose from sweet, spicy, or smoky BBQ sauce, or use all three.
By Craig Mattson
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Shopping Tips
By Craig Mattson
Store-bought imitation crab can be hit or miss, with the duds reading as overly fishy and fake. This brand, however, tastes like the real deal.
By Craig Mattson
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Great cakes start with more than just a recipe. Discover why choosing the right type of baking pan you use matters for texture, rise, and an even bake.
By Craig Mattson
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Prime rib and standing rib roast both come from cows, but each cut can produce a different flavor and texture after cooking. Here's what to know about each one.
By Craig Mattson
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Food History
By Craig Mattson
Thanksgiving menus in the 1960s aren't so different from what we eat today, but back then, you could order a full-course dinner for under $5 at this restaurant.
By Craig Mattson
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Crafting the perfect Korean barbecue ssam is easier than you think. It only requires your creativity and a few key components, according to our expert chef.
By Craig Mattson
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Cruising the meat department shouldn't be confusing when you just want a slab of ribs. Learn the difference between styles to make the most out of your ribs.
By Craig Mattson
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Kitchen Tools
By Craig Mattson
Pepper mills are perfect for freshly ground pepper. But did you know that some pepper mills are manufactured by this French car company? Here's a brief history.
By Craig Mattson
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Before your next November Costco shopping trip rolls around, you should check out these brand new finds that just hit the retailer's shelves.
By Craig Mattson
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This underrated leafy green contains more iron than chicken or pork. Here's what to cook with it and how to incorporate it into your meals.
By Craig Mattson
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Design & Decor
By Craig Mattson
Want to add more storage to your kitchen in a stylish way? This classic piece of kitchen furniture is perfect for displaying items from dinnerware to cookbooks.
By Craig Mattson
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Stores and Chains
By Craig Mattson
Hobby Lobby isn't only a spot for arts and crafts supplies. You can also bypass the pricy pasta bowls at Pottery Barn by buying them at Hobby Lobby.
By Craig Mattson
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Ditch those prepackaged cold cut slices! Chef José Andrés says that this delicacy is a must-buy, and you can find it at your nearest Costco.
By Craig Mattson
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Trader Joe's
By Craig Mattson
Trader Joe's is a great way to save money on fish like salmon, but is it okay to use the grocery chain's fish for sushi? Here's what you need to know.
By Craig Mattson
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If you're tired of stressing over the price of name brand protein powder, Costco members recommend trying this high-quality and affordable alternative.
By Craig Mattson
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Coffee And Tea
By Craig Mattson
Pumpkin spice might be everywhere in fall, but there's another seasonal ingredient you'll want to incorporate into your lattes for an irresistible creaminess.
By Craig Mattson
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Fast Food
By Craig Mattson
If you were born after the late 1980s, you probably never experienced this country-style restaurant in its heyday, but we can remember it through the photos.
By Craig Mattson
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Costco once carried a snack that garnered a fairly big following, but then it was discontinued. Why this fan-favorite item disappeared is still a mystery.
By Craig Mattson
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