“Scratch Food” – Local Company Reaching New Heights

Chef Matt Hayden has been a foodie all of his life. He is the guy who binge orders delivery late at night, or whips up recipes for his family and friends at a moment’s notice.  He has the kick-ass chicken recipe you love or the BBQ that melts in your mouth.  He is also quite the giver to the community.  He is always dedicating time and resources to one cause or another.

For the last 25 years Matt has been a fixture in the Dayton food community.  First with his original ownership of the Pour Haus, with their pizza following and BBQ sauces.  He also had a venture in Miamisburg called the Chimney Inn.

Those experiences lead him to open Scratch Food in Centerville off of Paragon Rd in 2010.

There is one more experience that affected him.  

Chef Hayden unbuttoned his shirt to expose a heart operation scar.  This health scare turned his life around, and tuned him into the healing power of foods.  Now, his business is growing but the most touching aspect, is how they are affecting the lives of Miami Valley residents.  They are literally saving lives with their food.

 

HERE IS THE SKINNY ON SCRATCH FOOD:

—SCRATCH FOOD consists of 2 aspects

1)SCRATCH EVENT CATERING:
An upscale catering business that has been hosting large and special events for over a decade.  All the food is made by chefs and they are used to catering for top area companies.  They cater events like weddings with 150-300 or more, up to 3200 people event.  They are involved heavily with Masquerage and of course the upcoming April 22nd Dayton Metro Library opening gala.  Great opportunities for a Food Adventure.

2)MEALS FROM SCRATCH:
A carry out or delivery service of frozen, pre-prepared, nutrient dense meals. This service is for the convenience of busy schedule customers, or assisted living customers.  It makes life easier for them.  It also helps those who are sick and dealing with disease management  like Diabetes, Heart Disease and Cancer.  Are you just looking for convenient meals to fit your healthy lifestyle?  They offer those as well.  All dishes are made carefully and prepared by chefs to strict specifications, with the freshest ingredients.

—Scratch Foods employs some of the most talented local chefs. Chef Marshall

Bartley, a lifelong friend of Matt’s is just one of the experienced crew working hard to get results for health and taste.  Another star is Kristen LeMaster, the event coordinator and Project Manager for the business.  The other chefs on the team round out this talented crew.

—Scratch Food is always giving back to the community.  Be it the Suzy Pender Memorial Fund, The Pink Ribbon Girls, or his latest, the April 22nd kickoff of the new library downtown.  For decades he has helped countless local causes.  Sisca, Boonshoft Museum, Antioch and the Bull Diabetes Center on Schantz Ave. and a couple more charities.  Food Adventures loves their stuff.

—Besides battling heart disease, Matt has another motivation.  Matt lost his mother at a young age, and she has been a source of inspiration to helping people battling illnesses.  By working with Miami Valley Hospital, their often quoted mantra is “Let Food be Thy Medicine.”

—Want some Meals from Scratch? Within 12 hours of placing your online order at this website, you will be contacted by  email.  They will set up a day and time, convenient for you, to pick up your meals from our Centerville location, behind the Paragon Supper Club at 767 Miamisburg-Centerville Road. Your meals can be picked up 7 days a week from 10am thru 7pm.  Sometimes your meals can be picked up “on the fly” within an hour of placing your order. But typically, pickup time is agreed upon with Scratch  to make sure that your order is properly handled.

—Between the Pink Ribbon Girls, Miami Valley Hospital and pickup orders, Scratch prepares over 1,000 meals each week.  Are you in need of help because of a family member with cancer?  GET INFORMATION HERE.

—Are you in need of carryout or delivery meals?  Catering needs?  Nutritional Meals?  Call 937-567-7850 or fill out this online form.  This Food Adventure could change your life.

So what are the best eats from Scratch Foods?  Catering wise and frozen meals wise …?  Here are our patented MUST EATS..

 

MUST EATS FROM SCRATCH CATERING:

—DEEP FRIED GARLIC CHICKEN at THE GARLIC FESTIVAL:
Unforgettable flavor in a deep fried chicken strip. Cheesy garlic goodness is what awaits you, with a sinful butter dip.

—BBQ BABY BACK RIBS:
Fall off the bone. with incredible homemade BBQ sauce. A taste you wont soon forget.

—SMOKED CHICKEN:
Quarters of chicken, that come out so juicy it is like it is baked. Again the BBQ sauce for dipping is a must.

—SMOKED PULLED PORK:
Matt used to travel the country to learn how to smoke meats. The results of his studies are a near perfect pulled pork.

We have tried a dozen of these frozen meals over the past month and have some favorites.  Here are our “MUST EATS”

 

MUST EATS FROM MEALS FROM SCRATCH:

—HOMESTYLE MEAT LASAGNA WITH FRESH GREEN BEANS:
You wont believe the food was made and frozen a couple of weeks ago, it tastes like freshly made. Each forkful of lasagna and sauce is a taste of comfort food.

—CHICKEN CABBAGE ROLLS:A unique, healthy take on an old comfort food. But guess what, it works. Try this for the surprise of your night.

-CHICKEN PARMESAN WITH CAVATAPPI PASTA and FRESH GREEN BEANS:
Just enough sauce with the chicken and pasta, make this a delightful dish.. Again the freshness is amazing and we can’t believe it was not just made.

-CHICKEN CURRY with CAULIFLOWER, SWEET POTATOES and PEAS:
Indian dish, with fresh veggies. It is unique and flavorful, and the spiced chicken is the best part.

-ORANGE CHICKEN WITH FRESH BROCCOLI and RICE BLEND:
Probably Big Ragu’s Favorite Dish. Worth a treat sometimes.

-SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN WITH COLORADO SAUCE, BLACK BEAN MASHUP and RICE BLEND:
The sauce on the chicken and the bean mashup steal the show. A great tasting dish that doesn’t taste healthy, but it is. Try this high nutrient dense plate to curb your appetite.

-ASIAN CHICKEN BLEND with BROCCOLI, SESAME SLAW and RICE BLEND:
Great tasting slaw on top of chicken with that Asian taste. The veggies and rice go perfect with it. They nailed the flavor on this one.

-OLD WORLD CHICKEN CAKES WITH SWEET POTATO SUCCOTASH:

So delicious and inventive, it is amazing how healthy the dish is. One of those plates you cant get enough of, forkful after forkful.

So there you have it… our MUST EATS …

Often imitated, never duplicated, you can find Food Adventures on Facebook here.  No rules, just fun !

Browse the photos below from our numerous meals with Scratch Food.