For the Cooking Challenged

Date:

Dec 18 2004

There's a lobster in my mailbox

From Christmas crustaceans to lip-smacking ribs, the Internet makes it easy to give a gourmet gift.

By Denise Deveau

The Globe and Mail

...I now know that there are infinite ways to share food experiences with loved ones and friends; from newlyweds and housebound new moms to diet-conscious cohorts and time-challenged professionals.

For a lot (of our clients), it's the convenience, says Katie Rodgers, manager of business development for The Specialty Gourmet in Toronto. ?Some people just don?t want to think about cooking or managing meals.

Bill O'Dowd of Green Earth Organics in Toronto notes, We see a lot of parents of university students buying months of delivered meals. It?s a great way to make sure they're eating right.

Paul Hickey, owner of todaysmenu personal-chef services in Toronto, says the demand for its services just keeps growing. We're seeing a huge demand for gift certificates. Even employers will buy home meal services for staff members on maternity leave.

So this season, indulge your friends and loved ones with a gift that's always in good taste: a gift of food.

For the cooking challenged

When the spirit is willing, but the skills are weak, there is a range of home services that will not only select and deliver your groceries for you, but will also plan and cook your meals.

Vancouver-based The Specialty Gourmet offers daily delivery of freshly prepared, gourmet healthy meals. A great gift for after Christmas, before the summer swimsuit season begins. The company, which has now expanded to Toronto, prepares meals from the Atkins, Zone, Healthy Living and CarbLogic diet programs. Gift certificates also include personal training and nutrition counseling at local fitness facilities. Minimum order is two weeks of two meals a day plus snacks.