Fine Dining Done Right With METAL MASTICATION And STEVE UNGER

Interview by Kris Peters
Two of the most essential things in life would have to be heavy
metal and food. Hands down. 
No argument.
But what is actually better than metal or eating? Combining the two
together, which is exactly what Brett Hoag and James Pulli have
done with their revolutionary, entertaining and informative show,
Metal Mastication. Since 2023, Hoag and Pulli have been producing
quality content, interviewing bands and artists while cooking up a
storm with a personally selected favourite dish from the guest of
the day.
It is a novel and unique concept, and also the first of its kind,
so it is no wonder the show has developed a cult following in
America that promises to break through to the rest of the world at
any time. Over the years, Metal Mastication has hosted David
Ellefson, Jeff Young, Tony Macalpine and Steve Unger, with Unger's
heat sensitive Breasts Of Fire recipe marking itself down in
history as one of the most intense dishes ever created for
television.
The recipe was so good, in fact, that when HEAVY spoke with Metal
Mastication earlier today, Unger made a special trip from his home
base to Los Angeles just to run it through with us on this side of
the world.
"Hell, Masticators and Metalheads in Australia, it's so good to be
here with you guys," Hoag began the conversation, introducing the
show as well as himself. "My name is Brett, and I host Metal
Mastication. We are the only heavy metal interview show set in the
kitchen. Where do the best conversations happen in your house,
Kris?"
"The toilet?" HEAVY replied, before changing our answer to the
kitchen.
"The kitchen, yeah, you're correct," Hoag laughed. "And so that's
where the idea came from, and we've done 19 episodes. We have eight
on our YouTube channel, and right now we are in the quarter-finals
of the Colossus Favourite Chef 2025 competition. It benefits the
James Beard Society, which brings equity and sustainability to
professional kitchens. If we win this competition, it will allow us
to buy a food truck and go to metal festivals as well. Now, say
you're at a metal festival, and you're there to see Metal Church,
for example. I know they're really huge in Australia, they're huge
all over the world. So you see our food truck there, and you go,
wow, that's fun. That's a cool logo, that's a cool purple truck.
You walk up to get something, and behind the counter in the food
truck is none other than Steve Unger, the bass player, the Metal
Hall of Fame bass player from Metal Church."
The session focused on the unique concept of blending heavy metal
music with cooking, featuring discussions about the show's premise
and a cooking demonstration. Brett highlighted the show's
innovative format, which combines interviews with heavy metal
musicians in a kitchen setting. Steve Unger discussed his signature
dish, Breasts of Fire, and expressed enthusiasm for connecting with
Australian fans. The conversation included humorous anecdotes about
cooking and the challenges of using spicy ingredients, with Brett
noting that all necessary ingredients are provided for guests to
enhance their cooking experience.
HEAVY inquired about the origins of the show, prompting Brett to
recount how it began two years ago after discussions with Billy
Sheehan about cooking on social media. He emphasized that while
cooking is a component, the primary focus remains on interviews and
conversations with guests, while Steve provided an update on Metal
Church's hiatus while also discussing his involvement in other
projects and more.
Don't forget to vote for Brett and Metal Mastication here:
https://favchef.com/2025/brett-


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