Administrative Staff
Brian Elwell
Executive Chef
St. Matthew's House
SMH Catering
In his position as Executive Chef at St. Matthew's House, Brian Elwell oversees menu planning and meal preparation for both the main shelter and the Soup Kitchen feeding ministry, as well as a staff that includes paid employees, volunteers and St. Matthew's House residents. Mr. Elwell uses his extensive experience to create daily menus strictly from donated food and supplies.
Mr. Elwell also oversees SMH Catering, an in-house commercial enterprise that provides job training and career opportunities for residents, as well as bringing in much-needed operational funding.
Mr. Elwell comes to St. Matthew's House following a 16-year run at Moorings Park Retirement Community in Naples where he transformed three restaurants into high-end eateries with a clubhouse atmosphere. A Massachusetts native and graduate of Stevens School of Bible in Lenox, MA, Mr. Elwell received the majority of his training as an apprentice to Olympic Gold Medal Chef Gerhard Schmidt. He was also chef for three years on mission ship La Gracia, traveling to Haiti, Belize, Honduras, Jamaica and other Caribbean countries, helping and feeding those in need.
Mr. Elwell attends New Hope Ministries in Naples and helps in their Sunday School program. He enjoys going to the beach with his family.