What can we learn about the past when we replicate the foods that they ate?
Through the course of a single episode host, Matthew Sharpe, interviews a historian who understands the food of each era. They challenge him with a food that was important to our ancestors. Matthew then makes the attempt to replicate the food in the same manner that they would have. At the end, Matthew samples the food and gives his unrehearsed reaction to the foods.
In our pilot, Matt spoke with Park Rangers from Antietam Battlefield to learn about “the most famous coffee run in history”. And the guest then challenged him to try comparing Union and Confederate coffee. Armed with a manual that explained coffee creation in the Union Army and General Pickett’s Wife’s recipe for Sweet Potato Coffee…Matt set out to recreate the Civil War coffee.
It was an eye-opening experience and gave Matthew insight into the morale and energy levels of the soldiers on the front lines.
Host
Matt Sharpe
Matt Sharpe is a multi-talented individual with a diverse background in acting and history. With 38 acting credits to his name. In addition to his acting pursuits, Matt has made significant contributions to the field of history. As a Contributing Editor for American Rifleman Magazine from May 2009 to February 2016, he played a vital role in assisting the magazine's staff with freelance submissions and reader inquiries. He also provided editorial support by answering reader letters and delivering engaging feature stories. Notably, Matt researched, authored, and has published a number of compelling feature articles on historic museum artifacts and their importance.
Matt's dedication to preserving history led him to serve as the Curator of Programs at The National Firearms Museum in Fairfax, VA, from 2008 to 2013. In this role, he collaborated with experts to develop programs and enhance the museum's offerings. He also maintained relationships with high-profile donors and board members, ensuring the continued success of the institution. Matt's expertise extended beyond the museum's walls as he authored a recurring column in the historical special interest journal, Man at Arms. Additionally, he appeared on local TV news for on-screen interviews and provided on-air commentary for programs such as Gun Stories and for American Rifleman Television on The Outdoor Channel. Matt is comfortable on camera.
