Haines, Matt: - Matt Haines' interest in king cake was sparked in 2017 while eating more than eighty varieties during a single Carnival season. That same year, he hiked the Appalachian Trail using the trail name "King Cake." Based in New Orleans, Matt writes professionally about food, travel, current events, and inspirational people. He's written for Voice of America, CNN Underscored, Zagat, Fodor's Travel, The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate, Gambit Weekly, Very Local New Orleans, and others.