Renowned Canadian Chef Matty Matheson To Open Restaurant At New Hamilton Arena, Partnering With OVG

Announced today during the Departure Festival + Conference in Toronto, Canadian chef, actor and restaurateur Matty Matheson has partnered with Oak View Group in a deal that includes a restaurant at the new Hamilton Arena currently under development and scheduled to open in December.

“At Oak View Group, we’re not just transforming venues—we’re transforming the way people experience them. Hospitality is where that starts, and Hamilton deserves the best,” said Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO, Oak View Group. “Matty is not only one of Canada’s most celebrated chefs — he’s a hometown hero with a powerful voice and a unique vision. His creativity, energy, and connection to this community make him the ideal partner to help us deliver a truly local, unforgettable experience at Hamilton Arena.” OVG is parent company to Pollstar.

As part of the partnership, Matheson will open The Iron Cow Public House, a 9,500-square-foot restaurant and bar with a capacity for up to 185 guests inside the arena. The restaurant will operate on event and non-event days and include a speakeasy style pub within the space, according to the announcement. In addition, Matheson and his restaurant group, Our House H.C., will design and curate the menu for three concession stands that will feature items from his establishments, Matty’s Patty’s and Rizzo’s House of Parm.

Along with OVG Hospitality, other Matheson concepts will be introduced within the arena for premium suites and food and beverage.

“What Oak View Group is doing here is incredible, and I’m honored to be a part of it,” Matheson said in the announcement. “Bringing people together with amazing food, great service and live music – it’s everything I love. We’re building something special for Hamilton, and I’m pumped for you to see this come together.”

Matheson, raised in Ontario, is an internationally recognized chef, restauranteur, best-selling author, award-winning executive producer, actor, and internet personality. He even performs in a rock band called Pig Pen, a name that pays homage to the late Pig Pen who played keyboards and piano The Grateful Dead, one of Mattheson’s favorite bands.

Matheson, who portrays the handyman Neil Fak on the FX series “The Bear,” owns and operates Prime Seafood Palace (Toronto); Bar Clams (Toronto); Matty’s Patty’s (Toronto, and Costa Mesa, CA); Rizzo’s House of Parm (Fort Erie, ON); CÀ Phê Rang (Toronto) and Maker Pizza (Toronto).

Derpature Festival + Conference, a new take on the long-running Canadian Music Week festival, continues today with panels, artist showcases and expanded content touching on film, TV and cuisine through the weekend, with speakers including Bryan Adams, Live Nation’s Omar Al-joulani, Dave Chappelle and many others. See website for full details.