🕒 5 min read

Whether starring opposite larger-than-life actor Jason Momoa on Netflix hit series Frontier, or as female lead on APTN’s current crime drama Tribal, Jessica Matten mesmerizes.

That arresting quality - also evident in her role as Gerrilynn Spence on Burden of Truth on CW and CBC, and on Gemini Award-winning series Blacktstone - carries over to the big screen: She starred in acclaimed short film Pilgrims, an official selection for the Cannes Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and her performance in award-wining flick A Red Girl’s Reasoning, has resulted in a cult following.

Recently wrapped on the upcoming 20th Century Fox feature, The Empty Man, based on the graphic novel by Cullen Bunn, she dished on her cooking skills, go-to order at one of Toronto’s top restaurants, and more, while home during COVID-19 lockdown.

Occupation

Actor and Co-President of Lemon Cree - a non-profit providing health and wellness programs for Indigenous communities. 

Place(s) of Residence

Los Angeles and Toronto.

Last thing you ate

Grilled salmon tacos with an arugula salad. 

Left to your own devices to make something at home, what would it likely be? 

This quarantine has me cooking more than usual. I’m all about a mean veggie stir-fry with tofu or fish.

When staying at a hotel, what are you raiding from the mini fridge?

I’m pretty good with not raiding the mini fridge and usually order Truffle Fries from Room Service. 

Guilty pleasure 

Whiskey Sours and Godiva chocolate.

Drink of choice

A double (or triple) Americano with almond milk topped with cinnamon or cardamom. I lived in Sweden own and off for almost 10 years and I loved how they had cardamom spice in their breads, coffee, etc., so I developed a taste for adding it to my coffee all the time.

Favourite meal of the day and why

Brunch. Because I don’t eat my first meal of the day until after my coffee and when I feel actually hungry. I usually have scrambled eggs with avocado and a salad and a slice of pumpernickel bread.

I didn’t realize I had been practicing intermittent fasting for most of my life until it became a trendy thing and more exercise sciences began talking about it more. But I always believed in listening to my body and not stuffing it with food first thing when I woke up, just because it made me feel sluggish and unfocused.

Favourite cookbooks to use

None! Hahahaaa. I’m not that great.

Favourite cookbooks just to look at

None. However, on Instagram I have been an avid follower of a Native couple who eat traditionally like our ancestors used to, called Well For Culture and they are all about incorporating ancestral knowledge and cooking with traditional meats, legumes and food that our Native ancestors ate.

Most of the food is hand-harvested, processed and prepared by Natives as the goal is to encourage and promote Indigenous people worldwide to live as self-sustainable as possible.

Also, they are some of the most physically fit people I know, and I am big on sports and fitness. They are definitely doing something right.

Three items that are always in your fridge

Almond or oat milk creamer, Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar, and apples.

Top three Toronto restaurants

Union Restaurant on Ossington (I know most of the wonderful staff by first name I go there so often - haha), Hello 123, and Saku Sushi.

Go-to food + drink order at a restaurant

Union Salad, oysters, truffle fries and a couple glasses of their Sancerre wine. 

Would you rather: Go to farmers’ market/nearest pub/food truck?

Farmers’ market.

Describe your kitchen

Boring, yet practical. The kitchen looks prettier than my actual meals.

Describe your cooking style 

Super simple, not heavy on sauces. If I can chop it and toss it into a frying pan or salad bowl, in you go.

Ideal food day: from the time you wake up until bed, what are you having?

Two cups of coffee, poached eggs with avocado and a salad, toast. Green smoothie, turkey jerky (free or antibiotics), and apple.

Glass of wine, fish and veggie dinner of some sort, and chocolate.

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