Variety is the spice of life. The average American rotates among the same 18 foods throughout their life. This leads to nutrient deficiencies and food intolerances. We change our menu weekly so that customers have the variety to stay motivated on a clean eating plan—-and to introduce nutrient rich foods that they might not otherwise eat.
So how does this meal magic happen?
Steve Schmidt is the expert behind the magic in the Research and Development (RnD) kitchen. In his words, we consistently reevaluate our menus for dishes that may be out of season or fall in popularity. We decide on a certain cuisine type and specific criteria, and then the creative process begins!
Inspiration for a new meal can come from many places. A new dish could be developed from a fond food memory or inspired by recipes that we’ve seen before. It can also be as simple as thinking of, seeing, or tasting an ingredient, protein, or flavor profile and building a recipe based on a taste we’re inspired by.
What makes a good new meal?
When approaching a new meal, it’s very important to us that we focus on using clean high-quality ingredients while making sure a dish is nutritionally sound. Our goal is to produce great tasting real food that brings variety and convenience to our customers’ lives.
“A good meal” can be described differently depending on who you ask. For Steve, a good meal is one that people are excited to eat, looking forward to every bite, and feeling satisfied after eating it. Balanced flavors, visual appeal, and the ability to spark emotion or nostalgia are also important.
What are the joys and challenges that come with researching and developing a new meal?
From Steve, R&D has been a dream job come true. He loves the challenge and ability to be creative. Sometimes it can be difficult developing a meal based on specific criteria. Finding new ways to innovate and inspire with ingredients we’ve used before can be extra challenging. It is also very rewarding to go through the creative process, develop a meal, and then hear from our customers about how much they liked it. Steve says he really appreciates the feedback, good or bad. Let’s be honest though: it’s almost always outstanding!
Here are some of our newest meals added to the menu.
Want to try some of this magic for yourself? Check out the rotating menu for new ready-made meals, signature sides, premium proteins and desserts.
