Matt Galloway: 10 things I can’t live without
The new host of Metro Morning, the city’s top-rated wake-up show, shares 10 things he can’t live without
Soccer season I’ve had Toronto FC tickets behind the home net since the first year. I go with a big group of friends and friends of friends. We’re Toronto sports fans, so we’re sort of bonded in misery. It’s all about measured optimism.
Christie Pits Park I’ve lived in the same neighbourhood for 20 years, so I’ve seen the park change from being sort of sketchy to a place where you can take your kids. It’s where I taught my daughter to skate.
My neighbourhood butcher I go to Vince Gasparro’s Meat Market (857 Bloor St. W., 416-534-7122), around the corner from my house. I was a vegetarian for 14 years, and when I decided to start eating meat again, I wanted to know where it was coming from. Gasparro’s has amazing lamb and huge Mennonite farm–raised chickens. The guys there are so much fun, it’s like an old-fashioned barbershop.
My man purse About six years ago, I decided to graduate from the starving student backpack. As soon as I saw this one, I just sort of knew. It’s the perfect size.
Sunday tea I got into jasmine flower tea when I was in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. You drop a dehydrated bloom into a teapot and it blossoms into a beautiful flower. I have it on Sundays as part of my relax ritual.
My wooden spoon I love to cook, and I have a battered old spoon that fits my hand perfectly. It’s been worn down over the years and should probably be replaced. I hope to be buried with it.
My noodle fix Sun’s Kitchen in the Pacific Mall has the best noodles in the city. The chefs there hand-pull the noodles—it’s like theatre.
My ring It’s silver and says “Vous et nul autre” on the side, which means “You and no one else.” My partner, Alison, gave it to me 12 years ago, and I’ve lost it a million times—down the drain, on a golf course—but somehow I always manage to get it back.
My three-part alarm For Metro Morning, I get up at 4:12 a.m. five days a week. I’ve got a standard alarm clock, then my BlackBerry alarm, and one final alarm, which is a travel clock, across the room. I always try to be up before that one goes off because the sound is so annoying and wakes everyone up. I bike to work; I’m there by 4:45.
My kitchen soundtrack I’m obsessed with Elbow’s The Seldom Seen Kid album. I have 10,000 songs on my iPod, but tunes from this record seem to randomly pop up on a daily basis. It’s sad and beautiful, and great music to cook to.
(Images: Galloway courtesy of CBC; tickets courtesy of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment; bag courtesy of Cydwoq; tea from istockphoto; spoon by Jenna Marie Wakani; album courtesy Universal Music Canada; noodles by Devin Jeffrey)
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