Willow Glen Resident

News

Photograph by Vicki Thompson

Lots of Choices: Just Dinners customers Brandi Tate (left) and David Arcella prepare a Cuban chicken with mojo sauce. The self-service meal preparation facility offers a monthly menu of ready-to-assemble meat, fish and vegetarian entrees, along with pre-cut vegetables.

Just Dinners is just right for the table

Hassle-free meals still offer nutritious fare

By Lisa Neves Woldt

Self-service meal preparation stores such as Just Dinners allow multiple meals to be prepared in the time it takes to shop for the ingredients.

The seven-month-old business, created by Willow Glen resident Cassandra Contreras and Los Gatos resident Christine Jessup, already boasts about 1,000 customers.

Just Dinners in downtown Los Gatos offers a monthly menu of ready-to-assemble meat, fish and vegetarian entrees, along with pre-cut vegetables.

"Our goal is to get people back to the dinner table," Contreras says.

If customers can spare an hour or two, they will leave with a week's worth of dinners.

"It's a lot of fun and it's easy," says Contreras, because all the prep work has been done. "It's a huge timesaver."

According to the company's website, www.justdinners.com, the system is also cost-effective. For instance, the cost to prepare six dinners for four people is $160, which breaks down to $26.67 per dinner or $6.67 per serving.

Customers purchase meal packages for six or 12 dinners. Depending on the amount prepared, each dinner will serve either two or four people. Contreras says it takes about an hour to prepare a six-meal package for first-time clients.

"Chris or I will be here for every session," she says. "We're always here to help guide customers through until they get a feel for it." To liven up the experience, complimentary food and beverages are provided during morning, afternoon and evening sessions.

Contreras and Jessup share a passion for food. When they investigated the meal- preparation business, Jessup says, "We didn't quite understand why something like this wasn't around because the pre-made meal concept is one of the fastest-growing small businesses in the United States."

The partners looked in Willow Glen but ended up choosing a Los Gatos location because size was the issue.

"We needed the right amount of square footage to make it comfortable for our clients," she says. The business also needed enough prep space where there was ample room to work.

Back-door deliveries and customer parking were also important.

The 1,450-square-foot store gleams with stainless steel equipment in an open-plan environment. Seven workstations are stocked with all the ingredients necessary to prepare menu items. Contreras says the stations were designed assembly-line style.

"Everything is within reach," she says.

Perishables are kept in refrigerators underneath each station. A chilled countertop unit contains all the pre-cut vegetables needed for each dish. Shelves hold take-out containers and utensils.

Willow Glen resident Judy Giraudo enjoys the service.

"I like to cook, but hate to shop and do the prep work," she says.

She was impressed with the party-like atmosphere during a session with friends one evening.

"The food is so fresh," she says, "and the salmon with mango salsa was exceptional."

Just Dinners uses local suppliers such as Race Street for fish and poultry. Organic options such as Petaluma poultry and Creekstone Farms beef can be requested in advance for an extra charge.

"We really urge clients to work with us on their dietary restrictions," says Contreras.

Customers can suggest dairy alternatives and vegetarian options to menu items.

Jessup says the pre-assembly service is a popular feature, especially with new mothers. A customer order is assembled by the staff for later pick-up.

Meal-prep parties for up to 14 people are popular too, allowing friends to visit while preparing family dinners two weeks in advance. The party organizer and guests receive gifts to take home along with their dinners.

Kerri Mesa of Willow Glen says it's a great value for the money. "Portions are very generous," she says. With a family and full-time job, Mesa is able to put a Just Dinners meal on the table in 30 minutes. She is considering booking a party for co-workers as a team-building project.

The company also donates gift certificates for fundraisers and silent auctions, and has recently started a dinner club card program. It also provides in-home catering from the company's menu.

"It's not our core business," says Contreras, "but it gets the word out."

For information on Just Dinners, 540 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Suite F, Los Gatos, call 408.399.5400 or visit www.justdinners.com.