Chef Matt Stone Unveils Vegan Artichoke & Shiitake Toast
You Beauty’s chef debuts seasonal vegan, gluten-free artichoke & shiitake toast for autumn
Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.
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Chef Matt Stone, the culinary creative behind You Beauty in the Northern Rivers, has just added a new staple to his ever-evolving menu: the Fried Artichoke & Shiitake Toast. In a recent Instagram post, the chef celebrated the arrival of autumn with a shot of the crisp, golden toast piled high with tender artichoke hearts and earthy shiitake mushrooms.
Chef Matt Stone’s Seasonal Vegan Staple
In his caption, @chefmattstone wrote, “Fried artichoke & shitake toast @youbeauty2479 This little toast is an ever changing staple on our menu, always vegan, always gluten free! Autumn is hitting in the Northern Rivers!” The post underscores Stone’s commitment to plant-based, gluten-free offerings that shift with the seasons, delivering variety to regulars and newcomers alike.
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The new toast features lightly fried slices of artisan gluten-free bread topped with sautéed artichoke hearts and shiitake mushrooms, finished with a drizzle of olive oil and a scatter of microgreens. The combination balances crisp texture with savory depth, offering a comforting yet inventive bite as temperatures cool.
A Chef’s Journey From South Australia
Before establishing himself in the Northern Rivers, Stone traveled to the Basket Range in South Australia to work alongside Jean Bouteille Wines. He described the experience as “amazing,” helping him master the nuances of terroir, fermentation, and seasonal produce. During the 2023 vintage, he crafted small-batch Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and a red blend under his own label, deepening his understanding of ingredient provenance.
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That hands-on immersion in vineyard life now informs You Beauty’s menu philosophy. Stone applies the same attention to seasonal shifts—once reserved for winemaking—to his vegan and gluten-free staples, ensuring each dish celebrates the region’s autumn bounty.
Sustainability At The Core
Sustainability has long been central to Stone’s approach. While he’s known for wild-game curries and saltbush chimichurri lamb ribs, his pivot to plant-based cooking reflects a broader vision: reduce waste, support local growers, and highlight underused produce like artichokes and mushrooms.
Central to achieving perfect crunch on the Fried Artichoke & Shiitake Toast is Stone’s choice of equipment. He often turns to a Gozney Tread oven—famed for its rapid, even heat—to bake gluten-free breads and flatbreads at You Beauty. The oven’s precision allows him to crisp each slice just right without drying out the toppings.
With the new toast available through autumn, guests can sample Stone’s deft balance of technique, seasonality, and sustainability. As he continues to rotate menu staples, diners can look forward to fresh plant-based dishes that echo his winemaking insights and wild-food beginnings, all served with Northern Rivers flair.
By fusing local produce, gluten-free bread, and vegan ingredients, Chef Matt Stone’s Fried Artichoke & Shiitake Toast exemplifies the creativity and conscious ethos at the heart of You Beauty’s kitchen.
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