Will Matthieu discovered the art of cooking while living in Europe on a student exchange program through Pepperdine University. In Florence, Italy, he assisted an Italian woman in preparing daily meals. It was in this Medici Villa that Will's appreciation for hand-crafted cuisine became a part of his everyday life. He learned, by her side, the fundamental basics and the intricate details of authentic Italian cuisine. After his stay in Italy, Will set out to explore the different cultures traditional foods of over ten different countries in Europe and Africa.

Finally, he ended up in Paris, France, where he took a job working as an assistant chef at a small french bistro in the Montmartre area. The restaurant catered to the avant garde "fashion palates" of the high-energy social scene. It was the place to be seen, and the place to try the most innovative dishes in Paris. Traditional foods were infused with fresh, new designs, focusing on color and presentation. It was at this restaurant that Will Matthieu realized that food with all it's colors, savory aromas, and complex forms could become an art form in the hands of a craftsman.