Book a chef near you

Choose your preference:

4 Persons

Meal kits – chop chop flop

Do It Yourself meal kits have been around since the early 2000’s and rose quickly in popularity. Globally the business size is well over $2B. So why has this service become so popular?

Most of these companies win customers with a free meal or a discount on their first order. With pre measured ingredients and easy to follow instructions they offer a solution to busy people who wanted to prepare fresh meals for. Some companies even offer specific menu’s catering to special diets such as Paleo, Vegetarian or Keto. As a concept it seems like a great solution to a common problem.

But all good things come with a downside. They offer fixed menus in rotation and limited options for variety. The portions don’t generally allow for left overs and the packaging creates a bulky excess amount of trash or recycling to deal with. Not to mention the work of actually preparing the food. Although they advertise saving time, by allowing you to skip a trip to the grocery store. They usually don’t provide more than a few meals a week, so you still end up at the store to buy staples. You also still have all the work of chopping, cooking and cleaning up after the meal. A task that is less time consuming for singles then for families.

Although this industry quickly blossomed, the bloom might be fading from the rose a bit. Blue Apron is the largest and most widely used meal kit delivery service (Followed by Hello Fresh and Plated.) Although they seem to be able to easily lure in customers with free meals and trial packs, they have trouble maintaining a customer base long term. In fact Blue Apron’s stock has dropped precipitously since its IPO in 2017. Per meal costs or around $10 without leftovers is an issue.

In conclusion these services fill a need for some consumers. Or are at the very least a good short-term solution for people who need a few quick easy meals in a busy season. But in the long-term families are still looking for something better. Something that actually saves time, produces less waste, and offers variety, and healthy food prepared from fresh ingredients. All at an affordable cost.

Allowing our Genies to cook you a fresh healthy meal in your own kitchen may go towards solving the problem that some of the DIY meal kit companies could not solve.

Refernces:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-meal-kit-delivery-service-market-worth-usd-8-94-billion-by-2025-hexa-research-300811555.html

https://slate.com/business/2017/06/blue-apron-customer-retention-low.html

You May Also Like

Plant-based diets and sustainable eating

Nov 21, 2022

How to Switch to Plant-Based Diets and Sustainable Eating

A plant-based diet focuses on consuming whole, unprocessed plant foods. This diet includes fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. A growing body of research has shown that...

Read More

Unlock Your Inner Chef Tips for Plating Food Like a Pro

Feb 04, 2023

Unlock Your Inner Chef: Tips for Plating Food Like a Pro

Plating food like a pro is an essential skill in the culinary world. Professional presentation makes all the difference, whether restoring order to a chaotic kitchen, turning a simple meal...

Read More

Fresh home cooked food by Michael Booth

Mar 25, 2021

Fresh Home Cooked food: A CookinGenie Perspective by Michael Booth

I believe Cleveland’s own Michael Symon says it best: “Cooking and feeding people always makes me feel better and, I think, it will also make everyone else feel a little...

Read More

Eat less sugar 5 Quick Tips to Cut Down on Your Sugar Intake

Nov 27, 2022

Eat Less Sugar: 5 Quick Tips to Cut Down on Your Sugar Intake

According to the American Heart Association, the average adult consumes about 22 teaspoons of sugar per day, which is more than three times the recommended amount. High sugar intake leads...

Read More

Halloween night in Cleveland

Aug 19, 2023

How to Celebrate Cleveland’s Spookiest Night

Halloween night is waited for by people worldwide, and Cleveland is no exception. With its haunted history, spooky attractions, and numerous Halloween activities in Cleveland, this activity has become a...

Read More

Food Emulsifier

Mar 16, 2023

Chemistry Behind Emulsifying Ingredients and their Applications

Emulsifying ingredients play a crucial role in the world of food and beverages. From creamy dressings to frothy cappuccinos, these substances help to stabilize mixtures of two or more immiscible...

Read More

Thanksgiving dinner in Cincinnati

Aug 02, 2023

Activities to Enjoy with Friends on Thanksgiving in Cincinnati

Thanksgiving, a time-honored holiday steeped in tradition, revolves around gratitude, togetherness, and delicious feasts. In the heart of the Midwest, Cincinnati stands as a vibrant city that embraces the spirit...

Read More

Everything You Need to Know About Friendsgiving Celebration

Nov 04, 2022

Everything You Need to Know About Friendsgiving Celebration

Friendsgiving is a relatively new holiday celebrated among friends, typically around Thanksgiving. The holiday originated in the United States but has since spread to other countries. Most people celebrate Friendsgiving...

Read More

Halloween Dinner Ideas for Adults and Kids to Enjoy 1-1

Oct 22, 2022

How to Celebrate Halloween 2022: Ideas for Dinner, Decoration, Games, and Movies

Halloween is a fun and festive holiday that typically involves spooky costumes, trick-or-treating, and candy. However, the holiday can also be an excellent opportunity to spend some family time enjoying...

Read More

Book A Personal Chef

Don't settle for ordinary, elevate your event with a personal chef

You May Also Like

Milk Alternatives Made Simple A Beginner's Guide

Mar 10, 2023

Milk Alternatives Made Simple: A Beginner’s Guide

Are you curious about milk alternatives? Maybe you’re lactose intolerant, allergic to dairy, or just looking for a more sustainable and ethical way to consume milk. Whatever your reasons, milk...

Read More

Tips for Teenagers to eat healthy

Jan 16, 2023

Making Healthy Eating Habits a Reality for Teenagers

As parents and educators, we ensure that teenagers in our care consume healthy and wholesome diets. Unfortunately, this is not always a simple task for teens; many find themselves stuck...

Read More

Hiring a Private Chef for an Unforgettable Vacation 1

Sep 15, 2022

Hiring a Private Chef for an Unforgettable Vacation

Are you planning a vacation but dread the thought of staying in a hotel? If so, you’re not alone. Nowadays, more and more people are opting for vacation rentals instead...

Read More

Everything about Charcuterie boards_ What is it, what it contains, trends, and more

Jan 28, 2023

Everything about Charcuterie boards: What is it, what it contains, trends, and more

Are you looking to elevate your next party or get-together with something new, delicious, and Insta-worthy? Enter: Charcuterie boards. Charcuterie boards are seeing a massive boom in popularity right now...

Read More

Shopping Spots in Columbus

Sep 27, 2023

Black Friday Shopping Spots in Columbus, Ohio

Are you ready to dive headfirst into the whirlwind of Black Friday shopping in Columbus, Ohio? Prepare for an epic shopping extravaganza spanning Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday in...

Read More

Vegan & Vegetarian - CookinGenie

Jun 02, 2021

Trying to Eat More Vegan and Vegetarian Food? CookinGenie Can Help

One of the most dominant food trends over the past several years has been the rise of veganism. Back in 2004, there were only about 300,000 vegans living in the...

Read More

Things to Do in Cleveland

Jul 05, 2023

A Weekend Itinerary for Things to Do in Cleveland

Planning a memorable weekend getaway can be daunting, especially when searching for activities that truly capture the spirit of a city. The challenge lies not in the scarcity of options...

Read More

Chefs to Improve their Craft

May 05, 2023

4 Tips for Chefs to Improve their Craft

As Chef Daniel Humm said, “A good chef uses food not just to excite the senses but also to tell a story.”  His quote perfectly captures the essence of cooking...

Read More

10 Best Ethnic Food Options In Columbus

Jun 19, 2023

10 Best Ethnic Food Options in Columbus, Ohio

Eating in Columbus is like having the world plated on your table. This city has rich culinary traditions that have withstood the test of time. From traditional flavors to exotic...

Read More

hubspot