chucksflavortrain

Chuck Matto

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Where There's Smoke, There’s Flavor

All Aboard Chuck's FlavorTrain

Chucks FlavorTrain isn’t just a brand — it’s a bold movement born in the backyards of Napa and fueled by fire, smoke, and serious passion. It all started in 2016 with a surprise Weber Smokey Mountain and a curiosity that turned into a full-blown obsession. Led by Bay Area pitmaster Chuck Matto, the FlavorTrain delivers food that’s loud, proud, and packed with personality. This ride’s for anyone ready to experiment, get messy, and serve up BBQ that slaps.

Hometown:
Napa, CA
Favorite Recipe:
Right now, it’s roasted Dungeness crab with garlic butter, but ask me again in a week.
Fun Fact:
I was high school prom king!
Favorite Activity:
Spending time with my wife and daughter.

FAVORITE GRILL

Big Flavor, Bigger Grill

Masterbuilt Product of Choice

The Masterbuilt Gravity XT is my go-to because it just makes life easy. You get that real charcoal flavor without all the babysitting. It hits low and slow or high heat fast, holds temp like a boss, and gives you full control the whole way through. Bigger hopper, solid build, clean design and it just cooks like a beast. I’ve used a lot of grills, but this one stays in the lineup.

Learn More
Food cooking in an open Gravity Series grill. From top down: split sweet potatoes topped with sliced onions and fresh herbs, red and yellow grape tomatoes on the vine and broccolini spears, tomahawk steaks.

Mastering the Grill: Q&A with Chuck Matto

What inspired you to start barbecuing? How long have you been doing it? Tell us how you got started!
What inspired me to start barbecuing? Honestly, it was that Christmas in 2016 when my brother gave me a Weber Smokey Mountain. I fired it up not knowing a damn thing, but the second I tasted that first bite of smoky, slow-cooked meat, I was hooked. Something about the process, building the fire, dialing in the temps, waiting it out….just felt right. It was peaceful, primal, and creative all at once. From that moment on, I fell in love with the craft and never looked back.
What advice would you give to Someone new to grilling? do you have any advice for a new content creator in the BBQ space?
Don’t overthink it. Just start cooking. Fire, meat, and time are your best teachers. Learn your grill, trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to mess up. Keep it simple at first: salt, pepper, smoke. Focus on the fundamentals, then start stacking flavors once you’re comfortable. And most importantly, have fun with it. If you’re not vibing with the process, you’re doing it wrong.
What is your favorite grilling technique that you've learned and why?
My favorite grilling technique is reverse searing. You start low and slow to build that smoky flavor and cook the meat evenly, then finish it off hot and fast for a crust that smacks. It gives you the best of both worlds: tender inside, charred outside. Whether it’s a steak, tomahawk, or even a thick-cut pork chop, reverse searing never misses. It’s reliable, impressive, and straight up delicious.
What advice would you give to Someone new to content creation?
Post the content. Don’t wait for perfect lighting or the perfect shot or the perfect recipe. Just start sharing. Your voice, your style, your vibe. Thats what people connect with. Stay consistent, stay true to yourself, and don’t chase trends you don’t believe in. There’s room for everybody at the table, but only if you show up and bring your plate.