Food pairing usually means combining two foods whose flavors will complement each other. It could also mean choosing a specific wine to go with the dish you’re enjoying. But Matthew and Kasey Hickey are singing a a different tune about food pairing. They took one part Matthew’s music blog, Musical Pairings, one part Kasey’s food blog, eating/sf, but them both in a big giant mixing bowl, turned the beaters on, stuck it in the oven, and pulled out a delicious new site called Turntable Kitchen.

SCOUT: Matthew, how did the idea for Musical Pairings come about?
MATTHEW: I believe in music for every occasion. So when Kasey and I work in the kitchen, I first go through my record collection and try to find the perfect music to cook to. eating/sf existed before Musical Pairings. One day Kasey asked me to do what I was already doing with the music selections - but then to also write about it for her site.  

SCOUT: How do you pair up mixtapes (or single songs) and food?
MATTHEW: Some of our pairings just seem obvious to me. For example, wine connoisseurs will say that a wine tastes big or smoky or leathery. And of course, food critics do the same with food. You can find the same qualities in music. Other times I just like to get creative with the pairings by researching certain ingredients and seeking inspiration there or by comparing the origin of certain dishes with a bands hometown. 

SCOUT: What do you feel a musical soundtrack can add to a meal?
MATTHEW: I think the right music completes a meal.  Dining is all about indulging the senses - taste, aroma and -- in my opinion -- sound are all important elements to making the most of any meal.  Ultimately, it should be about creating a memorable experience that appeals to all of your senses. 

SCOUT: Kasey, when/how/where did the idea for eating/sf happen?
KASEY: eating/sf was born shortly after I moved to San Francisco. I started to enjoy cooking for myself and for friends, and started collecting recipes and trying a lot of new foods. At the same time, I was getting really into the restaurant scene in San Francisco. The full name of the site was originally 'eating through San Francisco' and was focused on just that: learning how to cook and reviewing restaurants around the city.

SCOUT: Where do you find inspiration for your recipes?
KASEY: I find inspiration in a lot of places: I read food blogs every day. Two of my favorite sites --Tastespotting and Foodgawker--capture 'food porn' that to me, is equivalent to window-shopping. Restaurants inspire me--I love trying new dishes and recreating them at home. My friends and family inspire me a lot, too.

SCOUT: What is it about cooking that you love so much?
KASEY: I love how food brings people together. I find that, at the end of the day, many of the most important and memorable events happen around food.

SCOUT: What can we expect to see on Turntable Kitchen?
MATTHEW: You'll still be able to find great recipes and the best new music. I'll continue to pair albums and recipes with Musical Pairings. And, I'll continue to put together my monthly mixtape of the best free and legal new music. We are also working to offer giveaways and contests to get cool cookbooks, albums and concert tickets in to the hands of our readers. 
KASEY: I think (and hope) that Turntable Kitchen even better communicates our core message: there are many similarities between enjoying food and enjoying music.

SCOUT: When you’re not in the kitchen, where else might we find you in the city?
MATTHEW & KASEY: We love to go for walks through Golden Gate Park, Dolores Park, or just through the neighborhoods of the city. 

SCOUT: Here’s your chance at some shameless plugs:
Stay up to date on Turntable Kitchen on the regular site and on Facebook and Twitter. Don’t forget to ‘heart’ us on The Hype Machine if you like a song.