Matthew Steven Harker
Matthew Steven Harker passed away in his sleep while at his home in Dorchester, Massachusetts early Sunday morning, May 31, 2020. Although tragic and unexpected, his passing was peaceful and without pain. Matthew was a cherished son, brother, friend and partner. He is already desperately missed by all those who loved him.
Matthew was many things to many people. Among his most universally known and beloved attributes were his creativity, generosity and loyalty. Perhaps his greatest gift was how present he was with those around him. When Matt’s eyes or love stopped on you, they would make you feel like you were the only person in the room. He was passionate and purposeful in all that he did, and earned every accomplishment to his name with hard work and scrappy dedication. He built a beautiful life for himself focused on the people and things that he loved most.
From an early age, Matthew was a bon vivant, a term he first learned while watching Julia Child’s cooking series as a young boy – one of his favorite shows. He loved beautiful things and delicious food. He loved a good time and made those around him laugh easily and often. These traits would continue throughout Matt’s life. Whether an indulgent day on a sandy beach, a decadent dessert for two, or a hearty laugh, Matt enjoyed life.
Matthew spent his childhood in Vineland, New Jersey, a small town that simultaneously grounded him and left him wanting more. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School, where he was a friend to many and a cornerstone of countless clubs and activities. Matthew was involved in theater and public speaking, winning numerous starring roles and many awards for his exceptional performances. He lit up the stage with his presence and his voice. He was also an active part of the school community as a leader in the Samaritan Club, a member of the Student Government Association, and a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Service.
After high school, Matt attended Emerson University where he thrived on and off the stage. He combined his great loves – talking and acting – and created a major: Public Relations and Theater. He made friends easily and traveled every chance he got. After graduation, Matthew pursued his love of acting professionally and landed roles in television, commercials and film. After a few years of headshots and call backs, Matthew put down the Hollywood hustle and realized that his love of art and creating could be satisfied in other ways.
He went back to school at Johnson & Wales University for a degree in culinary arts, specializing in nutrition and food science. He went on to cook in kitchens across the country, honing his skills with every slice, sip and stir. Matthew thrived in the kitchen and finally felt at home in a professional sense. He was passionate about using local and sustainably sourced ingredients, and was a member of The Chef’s Collaborative, a network of leading chefs working to change the landscape of food. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to create his own culinary company, and his natural talent catapulted him to be named Boston’s Best Private Chef by Boston Magazine. He also was selected to appear on an episode of the hit television show Chopped, where he wowed the judges with his flavors and dazzled the audience with his charm.
When he wasn’t cooking for others, he was cooking in moms kitchen during holidays, family gatherings, and surprise visits. He loved traveling in search of food for himself. Every chance he got he was off on a plane, a motorcycle, a camel to explore far flung corners of the world and the flavors that came with them. He loved new places and experiences. He believed in the goodness of people and that the best way to really know others was by exploring their kitchens. Matthew made food art. He made cooking a show. He was as much a creator as a chef, as much a caregiver as a cook. He didn’t just feed people, he nourished them. He entertained and engaged them with each plate. He loved them with each bite.
Matt loved going for a long drive with the top off his Jeep. He adored his sweet, spoiled dogs, including his best bud, Bruce. Matt worked hard in the gym taking great pride in using the body he was given. While he was drawn to the buzz of a city, he also loved the outdoors. Whether at the beach or in the woods, he found great peace in nature. Matt was a proud member of the LGBTQ community. He was an activist, an ally and friend to many when they needed him most.
Matt is survived by his loving mother Denise Varquez-Hoffman and father Tim Hoffman; his brother Shane Ferguson and sisters Nicki Carnes and Beth Johnston; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He also leaves behind a family of friends who love him dearly.
A celebration of life will take place in the Boston area at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Chef Matt Scholarship Fund (https://gf.me/u/x6c978) or the M25 Initiative (https://www.m25initiative.org/). To best honor Matt’s legacy, please eat well and love big. The world is a darker and less delicious place for his light having gone out. But in the time that he got, Matt lived a beautiful life filled with purpose and pleasure. May everyone be so loved and lucky.
Guestbook Entries
Matt was the new owner of the company I work for. I am honored to have worked for and gotten to know Matt, he was well liked, respected and honestly, a joy to be around. I am truly heartbroken he is gone. I am so sorry for your loss. He is missed already.
Shelley
It is with much sadness that I send my deepest sympathy for the loss of such a spirited and kind person. Although I had only known Matt for a short time, I had come to appreciate his zest for life, his generosity and his kindness. He greeted me the first time we met with delicious freshly-baked cookies. May you all find hope and strength in knowing how many lives Matt so graciously touched. I am fortunate to have been one of those lives.
May Matthew rest in the sweetest of Peace and may his loved ones be forever warmed by his light and love of life.
We will truly miss you, Matt.
I taught Matt when he was a student at Emerson. I remember very well his incandescent smile, his easy warmth, his earnest and interested gregariousness. Several years ago, we became FB friends and I followed his adventures post by post. I was devastated to read of his loss – I recognize the young man I knew then in the testimonials and outpourings of appreciation I’ve been reading. I wish everyone who loved him comfort; may his life be remembered for a blessing.
I new Matt thru my son Scott I always enjoyed seeing Matt when he came by my house he was a very nice kid. I remember him making us a pie for thanksgiving it was so good enjoyed it very much. Our family was so sad to here of the sudden passing of Matt I will miss him and I know Scott will miss him so very much they were friends for a long time. I am so very sorry for your loss . RIP Matt we will miss you so much. Sincerely The LaFlamme Family
I was in complete disbelief when I heard of Matt’s passing. I met him when he lived in Hollywood. Matt and Taylor are like younger siblings to me. We would get together, eat delicious food that Matt would make, (BEST caesar salad dressing I have ever had. I always told him he should bottle and sell it), watch American Idol and share some laughs. We celebrated birthdays and had a really great trip to Palm Springs. I kept up with Matt on Facebook and Instagram and had the please of seeing him in New Orleans when we were both there at the same time. I loved seeing life through Matt’s eyes. All of his travels and passions and of course his cooking. Matt is loved and will be missed by too many to count. My heart aches. Prayers for his family and family of friends.
So sorry to hear about the loss of Matt. My love and prayers go out to his family, especially to his mother Denise who I love so dearly.
I met Matt when I was in Boston.My son and I lived for a period in his house and he made us feel like at home. He was so kind .
He promised me to come to Italy and visit us .Unfortunately I won ‘ t have the possibility to meet him again but he ‘ ll always be part of our lives.
We miss you ,Matt.
R.I.P
I’ve been struggling to find the words that express my thoughts on this shocking and heartbreaking loss, Matt. And I just can’t.
So I’ll borrow them from Debbie Harry:
“Die young, stay pretty.”
Heaven must have needed eye candy.
Requiescet in pace, beautiful boy.
Denise,
I am so sorry to hear this devastating news. Being so far away, I’ve followed Matt’s life online and loved that he grew to be an amazing, vibrant man. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. He was an incredible person. My grandmother has so many beautiful photos of Matt (and all of us) if you email me your address (lmesghali@gmail.com), I’m sure she can send some to you. Sending love and cherishing the memories.
RIP chef, you will be deeply missed. Thank you for the memories.
Beautiful tribute to a fine young man lit up a room when present Will miss my nephew – God Bless
I did not know Matthew as intimately as others, but we had worked together on numerous occasions and his spirit and passion for all things culinary was inspiring. This was a beautifully written tribute to him and every bit of it resonated with me.
There is so much to be said here, and this all just seems unreal- but I just want his close friends and family to know my heart goes out to you during this very difficult time and I’m sending you all hugs wherever you are. I hope to be able to celebrate Matthew’s life with everyone soon. If there is anything at all I can do to help in the meantime, please let me know.
A loving friend during a time in my life when I needed them, his excitement, joy, and kindness was a bright light that is unforgettable.
Being Matt’s friend and working opposite him in In Trousers are some of my favorite memories from Emerson College. He was a brilliant, generous human who will be deeply missed. Love you, Matt.
Denise-I am truly sorry for your loss. Matt has always been creative, talented, funny, brilliant and an all around exceptional human being. He always seemed to be a beat ahead of everyone else. He has inspired so many, including me, during his life. The world is certainly darker now that we have lost his light. I am honored to have known him and will forever cherish the memories that I have of him.
Matt burned the brightest in the room. We were very close all four years at Emerson, coordinating our annual Halloween parties among a million other memories I have of dancing with him- living, burning, loving deeply and without artifice. When I moved to LA I was so relieved that Matt was there too, and we became a little family. I’m so deeply sorry for all of us on this plane that he is no longer here with us, but he will continue to honor the legacy of his fire in our hearts.
Matthew was a very talented force and he made all of our gigs fun to work. I loved hearing about his travels and his menu ideas for family holiday meals. I continue to watch his ehow cooking demos on YouTube. My sincere condolences to family and friends.
Such a radiant and gifted man, gone too soon. Sending healing thoughts to all his loved ones.