Help Me Bring "The Soul Bowl" to Flint!

Hi, my name is Matthew Scanlon.

Ever since I was a kid growing up in a small Michigan town filled with more bars and churches than restaurants, I dreamed of owning a place of my own. That dream started taking shape at the historic Holly Hotel, where I began working as a teenager and stayed for 16 years. By the age of 23, I became the youngest executive chef in the restaurant's history.

It was at the Holly Hotel that I fell in love with food—and more importantly, learned to respect it. The ingredients, the process, the people we served—it all mattered. That kitchen helped shape who I am, both as a chef and a person.

But in 2022, the Holly Hotel tragically caught fire. That moment marked a turning point for me. After the fire, I worked at The Blackthorn in Holly—a fantastic place with a great team and community. It reminded me why I loved this industry in the first place. But even then, I felt like something was missing.

Eventually, I stepped away from kitchens altogether and took a job at Amazon for about seven months, just to reset and gain some clarity. That time helped me realize that I truly belong in the kitchen—bringing people together through food.

Now I’m ready to get back to doing what I love.

I’m launching The Soul Bowl, a rice bowl booth at the Flint Farmers' Market. This will be a place where I can bring my years of experience into fresh, flavorful bowls inspired by global cuisine—served with soul, heart, and a lot of hustle.

Your support will help cover the costs of launching this booth—equipment, licensing, ingredients, and all the essentials to get up and running.

If you believe in second chances, rebuilding with purpose, and the power of good food to bring people together, I hope you’ll consider supporting this next chapter.

Thank you for helping me bring The Soul Bowl to life.

With gratitude,

Matthew Scanlon