Zest Fest was a gala evening of dining, silent auction and live auction held last month in Richmond. The purpose of this annual event is to make it possible for FeedMore’s Central Virginia Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, and Community Kitchens, which provide thousands of meals and vital services for those in need, to continue their good works.

Those attending sampled foods prepared by a number of Richmond area chefs, and right there among those talented cooks, who so graciously shared their time and cooking abilities, was our Mathews born and raised Matthew Richardson.

Matthew began his successful career when a youngster who was always interested in foods. "My mother and grandmother were both great cooks, so I grew up with good cooking. That was a guide for me. In my early years I was always watching the cooking shows on TV. Since I have been in the professional culinary field, there have been those great cooks who also guided me along the way."

Matthew began his career by wo...