July 13, 2021
SO EXCITED TO WELCOME OUR NEW PASTRY CHEF AT PACIFIC PIE!
Matt Strenger hails from Southern New Jersey, and moved out to Portland with his wife 6 years ago.
Before he found his calling in the kitchen, Matt got a degree in Psychology and worked as an EMT and Nurse’s Aide near Atlantic City. After graduating from culinary school, Matt started his career in the bakeshop of the Tropicana Casino and Resort. At the same time, his love of writing came through as he began writing his weekly culinary blog, “On The Bench with the Black Hat Baker.”
Since moving to Portland, Matt has brought some East Coast inspiration to the weird landscape of the Pacific Northwest. After working at cafes and bakeries around town, Matt has come to Pacific Pie Company to breathe life into its menu as their new pastry chef. He loves food history, and loves to resurrect old-fashioned recipes and concepts with the fresh produce that Oregon has to offer. He writes his blog every week at http://www.theBlackHatBaker.com, has published his first book, and his working on two more.
“I like pie because it’s honest. It’s impressive to make something complex and involved in the kitchen, but it’s more impressive to do something simple perfectly- where you can’t hide bad technique or mistakes. My goal is always to offer elegant simplicity, and to give everyone one sweet, perfect moment of their day.”