Mat Schuster, Canela Bistro & Wine Bar
Saturday, February 11, 2017, 10:30 am - 11:15 am
Stop by the CUESA Classroom for a cooking demo featuring the seasonal bounty of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.
Mat Schuster’s culinary journey, if unconventional, is rooted in his love for travel and family. The Executive Chef of Canela, an intimate and cozy Spanish restaurant in the heart of the Castro, has a passion that exceeds formal pedigree, yet is evident in the delicious mix of Spanish flavor and seasonal, San Francisco fare he creates nightly.
Mat’s affinity for Spanish cuisine was borne along the tapas trail throughout the country. It was further informed in the kitchen of his partner Paco Cifuentes’ mother. Mat and Paco travel to Spain regularly and return infused with the bold flavors and diverse culinary techniques of the country. Through his cooking, which is a delightful mix of traditional and modern Spanish cuisine, Mat hopes to transport diners to Spain each evening in an explorative culinary journey, much like his own.
A native of Texas, Mat is a longtime Bay Area Chef, food instructor and nutrition educator. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Emory University and got the travel bug while studying abroad in Italy. Upon returning to the United States and finishing his degree, he enrolled in the California Culinary Academy’s College of Food in San Diego and began his career as a chef. He completed his studies at Bauman College in Berkeley, where he attained his Nutrition Educator degree.
All demos take place in the CUESA Classroom (under the white tents in front of the Ferry Building) and are free to the public, with recipes and samples for all.