Toronto Chef Matt Rosen is a cook of many talents, taking on new opportunities and challenges with the same energy he brings to his bike rides and workouts. We love his fun and seriously delicious cooking style, and all-around can-do positivity. And that’s before we get to the lamb hot dogs! Let’s get to know him!
What should our readers know about your background?
I’m just a cook, but I have been at this a while. I’ve worked as a consultant helping folks develop concepts and open them, I’ve been a private chef for pro athletes, I’ve worked in corporate for multi-unit restaurants for years, and now I’m heading culinary for The Ballroom Bowl, a high-end bowling alley concept that does amazing food. Oh, and I’ve started up a business making and selling hot dogs with Australian lamb. It’s fun!
You recently had the chance to go Down Under to see Aussie Beef & Lamb up close. What are some of the impressions that have stayed with you from the trip?
One of my standout memories was seeing the pastures and the natural way the animals live with minimal human intervention – those amazing dogs take such great care of them!
What do you like about Aussie lamb?
Especially since I got to see it for myself, the care and love that goes into raising the animals really does come through in the final product. The flavor is so clean, so mild, and so consistent – there’s a reason people want it all over the world!
How do you use Aussie proteins at some of the projects you’ve worked on?
At Edna + Vita, the Italian concept I developed, we have a braised lamb tagliatelle with ricotta, green olives, pistachio, mint and lemon. There’s also a lamb “scottadito” on the menu that I’m really proud of. The name means “burns your fingers” in Italian, and we fire-roast the Aussie lamb chops with a beautiful hard char, grilled lemons and a bright, sexy chimichurri. It’s delicious, and a really popular dish.
What’s the story with the lamb hot dogs?
After I started working with Aussie lamb, it occurred to me that there was an opportunity to shake up an old category like hot dogs with a new approach. The mild flavor of Aussie lamb is perfect to elevate and add some flavor interest, even as we keep the overall flavor profile very traditional and just a really great hot dog.
Aussome stuff mate! Hope to see you soon up in the t.dot!