a peek inside the fishbowl

1 | Erica

February 27th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

I’ve been intrigued by the red apron (www.redapron.ca), which seems similar but higher-brow, I guess. Would this be more of an alternative to take-out (as opposed to an ongoing service)? If so, something that could be *quickly* heated and served would be ideal (as opposed to something rock-hard frozen).

I’d definitely consider stocking the freezer with reasonably-priced batches of comfort food for when I’m away (for my husband, who can’t fend for himself, if I didn’t have time to build up a stash of my own cooking). Something like that could also be great gift for new parents…

Keep us posted!

2 | Karen at Virtually There

February 27th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

I think it’s great. The price is really good and with free delivery I could see myself definitely using it as long as they don’t mind last minute orders. I also agree that this is an amazing gift for new parents. And if we have a third, I’ll probably become a VIP customer.

3 | Chantal

February 27th, 2009 at 3:05 pm

how many people would a meal feed? I have used this type of service before. Two different kinds.

I had purchased meals from a chef (darn it I can’t remember his name) they were all frozen and vacuum sealed. It was good food and I enjoyed it but it was expensive.

Then my sister and I did the meal prep thing for a while (the one in orleans, supper works). I enjoyed that. I liked the night out, the socializing. The food was reasonably priced and good. The more servings you bought the cheaper the price. But I found the waste hard to come to terms with. TOO MANY zip lock bags, like at least 2 per meal, often more. Then I got used to the idea of the meal prep and just did it more at home on my own….

So… That isn’t the question you asked is it. Would I use this service. Depends on the number of servings vs the price. Oh and if they deliver to my end of town (or where I work).

4 | sherry

February 27th, 2009 at 3:38 pm

I don’t think I would use it regularly but as an occasional service that’s an excellent price compared to ordering pizza, and much healthier. It would be a great service for busy days when you know you won’t have time to cook something good.

5 | Lynn

February 27th, 2009 at 4:07 pm

I think this is a good idea…the price is excellent (cheaper than our regular weekly take-out night) and I’m at home so popping something in the oven a half-hour ahead of time isn’t a big deal.

However, we probably wouldn’t be able to use it because of the Captain’s allergies. Even if they were able to create some dishes that were safe for him (i.e. milk, egg, and nut free), they probably would not want to assume the risk of *promising* that things were allergen-free.

I could be interested in working for such a business, though, if it takes off!

6 | porter

February 27th, 2009 at 4:15 pm

I’ve done Supperworks and I love it, I love the night out and the fact that I get to learn how to make the entree (and often recreate it at home myself). It’s definitely cheaper to to follow the same idea and prep a bunch of meals and then freeze them myself…wish I could get it together enough to do that.

I would use a service like the one you mentioned I think…not all the time but occassionally. How would they use glass containers? The only thing that came to mind right away is that I wouldn’t want to buy meals like chili or mac n cheese (or similar) because they are really easy things to prepare myself (and freeze well). I’d probably only order things that are a bit more involved like stuffed chicken breast or the like.

Cool idea, smart Moms…there is certainly a need for this type of service it just has to be marketed well. I know alot of chefs do this but I don’t come across much advertising for this type of service.

7 | Gwen

February 27th, 2009 at 4:38 pm

I think it is a great idea, especially if marketed to pregnant moms. Why? From experience, those first few days after having a baby are crazy and having good healthy ready made meals for the family would make things so much easier. 1 less thing to worry about! Keep us updated on your friends and their business! Best of luck to them!

8 | Pamela Sharpe-Dovbniak

February 27th, 2009 at 4:49 pm

I LOVE the idea…now if they could throw in nut-free (or top 9 Allergen free for that matter) there would be rejoicing! It would be sooo nice to get a break from cooking all the time.

9 | LO

February 27th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

I think ‘yum’ and ‘yes’ and i miss my milkman……

10 | Andrea

February 27th, 2009 at 7:26 pm

I think I’ve often thought about doing this exact same thing almost every night I’m cooking for my family – but not being able to figure out how I could offer it at a price families could afford.

I often think I need to just call up my friends, tell them to bring a friend or four (or kids old enough to fly the coop and faced with learning basics) and start a basics cooking class.

Personally I enjoy cooking too much and think nothing of doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling a meal and fixing one portion for dinner that night and getting the rest in the freezer for a night I don’t feel like cooking.

11 | raino

February 27th, 2009 at 8:14 pm

what do i think? i think it’s an awsome idea and 12 is cheap its cheaper than going out but you get the food made, brought to your door and you can eat it in your jammies. what more could you ask?!

12 | Susan

February 28th, 2009 at 9:17 am

I think it’s an interesting idea, but the choice of food and who it is pitched to would be important. For new mothers, the comfort food idea is great. However, if you want to target other people, would you want to have different items on the menu – things that might be harder for people make at home? I tend to lean towards buyng prepared foods or restaurant foods that I would not likely make myself. I also wonder how it would fly in a recession.

I should also say that we would probably not be potential customers in any event, since we also have allergies in the family (peanuts).

Good luck!

13 | andrea

February 28th, 2009 at 9:35 am

Thanks everyone! Your feedback has been great.

I also lean towards take-out/resto foods I don’t make myself. But I still think there is a place for this kind of thing. Red Apron looks divine (I would love to try it out!) but the foods are fancier, often in servings for two, and might not have kid appeal. This does.

I think if this is marketed right AND if it’s a notch better/healthier than your own chili/Shepard’s pie/macaroni it is more likely to succeed.

Consider:

– how convenient it could be working parents, seniors or people who just hate to cook
– they are homemade without preservatives, ingredients you can’t identify etc.
– you could even buy meals for other people, parents with newborns at home, people who are ill etc.

14 | Scatteredmom

February 28th, 2009 at 2:10 pm

I think it might work for really busy people who don’t have time to cook, or those that hate to.

I would probably never use a service like that because I’m one who cooks a lot and enjoys it.

If they are really good, they could consider offering it to schools for hot lunches as well-a lot of schools are looking for healthier fare.

15 | Ginger

February 28th, 2009 at 6:58 pm

I would love this kind of service. Not for every night, but there are nights when I really don’t have the time or energy to cook dinner after the boys go to bed. And I like the idea of traditional comfort food. Yes those are things that I make, but I like those things! I have seen menus for those “assemble it and take it home” places and sometimes the food is so different or not what we eat that it keeps me from using the service. So maybe a good mix of traditional foods and more difficult meals that people would rather just purchase instead of spending time cooking would be best. Of course, over time the menu can be adjusted based on what people order and once you get started you can always take suggestions to expand the menu.

I also like the idea of marketing to seniors. I know that my great grandmother would have eaten much better if we had purchased some meals for her through a service like this.

But I think the thing that I like most is the home delivery! The idea of people bringing things too me is awesome! It is a huge production for me to go out with the boys right now and this part of the service is worth every single cent!

Now if only you could deliver it to Texas! :)

16 | Miss Vicky

February 28th, 2009 at 8:42 pm

Yeah count me in among the “It sure would be helpful but we have those pesky allergies to consider, so probably not” group. Sigh.

17 | Loukia

March 2nd, 2009 at 9:09 am

It sounds like a great idea. I have no idea how moms who work 9 to 5 have time to make dinner when they get home! By 5, my kids are very hungry! And I don’t want to give them a snack (although they will usually have a fruit at this time) because I don’t want to ruin their dinner appetite! Luckily for me, my husband is an amazing cook so dinner is more or less ready when I come home with the kids. I’m also fortunate because my mom/grandmother/mom-in-law babysit during the week for us, and that means they’re doing the cooking so for the most part, they take care of yummy, healthy Greek dinners!
But… I would use the service you are talking about. I would try it for sure. Always a great idea to have something as a back up, too, you know?