Matt’s Bio
Matt Thomas ~ co-owner and asst. wine director
My upbringing and desire to share good food along with my passion for being an entrepreneur propelled me to take part in creating the kybecca experience. My sister (and co-owner, Rebecca) inspired me to appreciate good wine. Her passion for it made me think there was something there and I quickly learned that great wine is as thrilling and interesting as great food.
I learned about great food at an early age with my mother being the inspiration then. Growing up, we ate a lot of home-cooked meals using what is now referred to as “farm-to-table” ingredients. Since she was born and raised in Beirut but also lived many years in the U.S., my mother made American and Mediterranean food equally well. I learned to appreciate very different cuisines and developed a taste for quality ingredients.
It wasn’t until I went to University that I realized how well I’d been eating growing up. This led me to seek out good food and make it myself. My first years after college were spent as an educator in London, but I was looking for the next door to open to combine my interests.
Helping to develop and run kybecca is the perfect way for me to combine my experience as an educator with teaching people about my passions – great food paired with excellent wines. Educating our customers is very important to us at kybecca. I use my skills to teach people about wine both in our store, at the wine bar and in seminars we conduct such as Wine 101.
Now my inspiration is all of the great little wineries out there making amazing wine just waiting to be discovered and it’s always a thrill when I do. kybecca is a place where people can enjoy great wine and food in an unpretentious atmosphere. It’s a place where people can enjoy life.
The wine and restaurant business is a lot more work than I realized, but it’s worth the hard work to see people enjoying themselves. And, having privileged access to so much great wine is a perk for all of the hard work.
Thomas Jefferson said, “Good wine is a necessity of life for me.” Those are words to live by and at kybecca we do!
