About Matt
Hi! I'm a freelance writer based out of New Orleans, LA but currently living in London, UK because a) as mentioned, I'm a freelance writer; and b) it's very hot in New Orleans during the summer. When I travel, I'm always on the hunt for long distance hiking trails, as much local food as I can fit in my belly, a good art museum, and an ambitious sampling of beer.
My travel life began in what feels like a past life -- teaching competitive marching bands in Japan and Thailand -- but my writing career kicked off in 2017 when I documented my 2,200-mile walk along the Appalachian Trail. Nowadays I write for publications ranging from Lonely Planet, Voice of America, CNN Underscored, Fodor's Travel, Very Local New Orleans, Gambit Weekly, and more. I also recently authored The Big Book of King Cake, a chronicle of New Orleans' favorite Mardi Gras dessert. The book was featured in The New York Times as well as on CBS Sunday Morning and I was required to eat well over 150 different types of king cake for "research purposes." I'm still trying to lose the weight.
