Episode 5 - “Making Italian Food People Crave” - with Chef Matt Harding

In this episode of The Off The Menu Podcast, we sit down with Chef Matt Harding, the culinary force behind Piada Italian Street Food, a fast-casual Italian concept that’s grown to more than 60 locations across the country.

Chef Matt shares his journey from short-order cook to leading innovation for one of the most successful Italian restaurant groups in the U.S. We dig into what it really takes to deliver elevated, chef-driven food at scale—without sacrificing quality, creativity, or soul. You’ll hear how Piada develops new dishes, maintains consistency across dozens of kitchens, and stays ahead of food trends while still honoring Italian roots. Along the way, Chef Matt offers practical cooking tips, insights on building memorable dining experiences, and life lessons learned from more than 30 years in and out of professional kitchens.

If you’ve ever wondered how great food gets duplicated the right way—or how a chef balances innovation with execution—this episode is for you.

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