Matt Sunderland

Matt Sunderland is the first-ever Director of Food Services for River Valley Co-op and a true master of his craft. Born and raised in Amherst, he has worked in the food and fine dining industry since the earliest days of his career. He discovered his talent for cooking at a young age, and in no time he began working up the ranks of the restaurant business. By the time he reached his 20s, he knew he wanted to get serious about cooking and decided to go to school for a degree that would help him pursue his dream.

Matt attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Upon graduating, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work, taking his first management position as a sous chef at a local area restaurant. The more Matt cooked, the more he learned—and as his abilities increased, he would continue to grow professionally, too. He diversified his resumé by cooking for a number of unique eateries and other establishments, which taught him how to cater to different needs and discover new types of cuisine. He eventually joined a large South Deerfield restaurant, known for its impeccable reputation and great food, and worked there for eight years. Following that experience, he became a private chef—a gig that gave him the chance to develop a more personal touch to his cooking and reinforce his skills in fresh, new ways. He even operated a food truck for some time! With such a well-established resumé, we were thrilled to have Matt join our co-op. And, thanks to his perseverance in his newly created role, we have been better for it ever since!