Food Critic • Journalist • Former Food & Drink Editor for the Colorado Springs Independent • Podcaster: State of Plate / Vulnerable Creatures

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Matthew Schniper’s Biography

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Matthew Schniper is an independent food/drink journalist and the former food and drink editor at the Colorado Springs Independent. Matthew launched Side Dish with Schniper, a food/drink Substack, in March, 2023. He began freelancing with the Indy in mid-2004 and joined the staff full-time in early 2006, working as an arts editor as well as food critic and environmental reporter. He held the position of head editor from mid 2016 to mid 2019. From 2019 to early 2023 he was food and drink editor a…

What was your first job as a journalist?

An arts feature on a tap-dancing theater show.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

A couple times, as a kid.

How is social media changing news?

Speed, reach, in-the-moment reporting, easy data mining.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2025 - A&E and Food Criticism

First place. A trio of stories: Downtown’s Dilemma, State of the Scene, and Glamour Underground.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2025 - A&E and Food News or Feature

Third Place: A Night Out with Bar Mom.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2021 - A&E and Food: Criticism

First place: Taste Makers: Black Box Provisions is Seattle hip in the Steel City

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2021 - A&E and Food: Criticism

Third Place: Barley and Bliss: The Beer Spa lets you soak in brewery ingredients while sipping suds (as if you could hipster any harder)

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2020 - A&E and Food: Criticism

Second place: Mark Anthony’s Pretzels become overnight delivery hit during quarantine blues.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2017 - A&E and Food Criticism

Second Place for "Purple Toad; The Summit; Chef Bob's Lobstah Trap" food criticism, reviews.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2015 - A&E Criticism

Second place for a batch of restaurant reviews from the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2014 - Multimedia Story

First Place for "Trading Places" in the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2014 - Investigative/Enterprise Reporting

Second Place for "Trading Places" in the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2014 - Agriculture: General Reporting

First Place for "Gamble Fish" in the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

AAN AltWeekly Awards

2013 - Breaking News

First Place, "The Waldo Canyon Fire." Staff award for the Colorado Springs Independent: Pam Zubeck, Bill Forman, Chet Hardin, Kirk Woundy, Edie Adelstein, Bryce Crawford, Kirsten Akens, Jeff Koch, Matthew Schniper, J. Adrian Stanley and Claire Swinford.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2013 - Business: General Reporting

Second Place for "Adventures in Crowdfunding" in the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2013 - Sports: Enterprise Reporting

First Place for "USA Pro Challenge Preview" with co-writers Kirsten Akens, Edie Adelstein, Bryce Crawford, Claire Swinford and Jeff Koch in the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2012 - A&E Features in Food/Beverage Reporting

First Place in A&E Features in Food/Beverage Reporting for "Meal Plan" from the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2012 - A&E Criticism

First Place in A&E Criticism for "French Twist; Divide and Conquer & Ham-Bungler" from the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2012 - A&E Features in Food/Beverage Reporting

Third Place in A&E Features in Food/Beverage Reporting for "Deal-A-Meal" from the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2011 - Arts and Entertainment Criticism

First Place in Arts and Entertainment Criticism for "Catch Him If You Can; Radical Realization at Fruition Restaurant and How Now Green Cow" from the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2010 - Arts and Entertainment Reporting: Food & Beverage

Second place in Arts and Entertainment Reporting: Food & Beverage for "Kitchen Consequential" from the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2008 - Arts and Entertainment Reporting: News or Feature

Second Place in Arts and Entertainment Reporting: News or Feature for "Mr. Rogers' Neighbhorhood" from the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2008 - Arts and Entertainment Reporting: Features in Food/Beverage Writing and Reporting

Second Place in Arts and Entertainment Reporting: Features in Food/Beverage Writing and Reporting for "Brewin' In the Boys Room" from the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

Society of Professional Journalists Award

2007 - Arts and Entertainment Reporting: News or Feature

First place in Arts and Entertainment Reporting: Features in Food/Beverage Writing and Reporting for "Arts Guide" in the Colorado Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists — Top of the Rockies Excellence in Journalism Awards.

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Get in touch with Matthew

Contact Matthew, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.

Learn more about Muck Rack