By Steve MacNaull
The Daily Courier
Imagine coming home from work and having dinner already prepared.
That's what Smart Start Meals of Kelowna is delivering to busy households.
"Our target is families and people that have a lot going on, " said Ken Scott, who owns and operates Smart Start with his wife Susanne.
"The most popular offering for a bsy family of four is the 12-meal package, which means 12 fully prepared meals that serve four to six people for $259. That means for three of the busiest nights of the week for the entire month, dinner is taken care of." Customers choose from a varied menu and Smart Start does the shopping, chopping, and preparation. Full dinners of a meat rice or potatoes and vegetable are packaged, frozen, and delivered. All you have to do is pull the meal out of the freezer when you want to cook it.
Dishes for the fall include stews, roast chickens, Basa Italiano, Indian and Asian favourites, and vegetarian options. "Our emphasis is on healthy, wholesome foods with no trans-fats or additives and as much organic as possible," said Scott.
Smart Start has operated since January, and has a client base of about 100.
It is hoping to expand by having a booth at Saturday and Sunday's Ski show and Swap at the Kelowna Curling Club.
"Skiers are a perfect target market for us," said Scott. During the week they are busy at work and with their kids sports, and on the weekend, they are at the ski hill and don't want to have to shop and haul food up there to prepare.
Skiers can order their dinner packages and take them up the hill or leave everything up to Smart Start and have the meals delivered to an address at Big White Ski resort for a fee.
Meal preparation is quite a life change for the Scott's. They used to live in Vancouver where Susanne was a dental assistant, and Ken worked for video game company Nintendo as a computer networker.
They used to visit Kelowna every summer and wanted to move here for the smaller city recreational lifestyle and a crack at self-employment.
They modeled Smart Start on similar preparation businesses in the UK and US.
For now, the Scott's are using a rental kitchen at a downtown church for all their order preparation while they have a commercial kitchen built.
"We have creative minds, and know this service is needed in Kelowna and we are dedicated to preparing fresh, nutritious meals," said Scott. "So, it's already going well and will only get better."
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About Smart Start Meals
- Smart Start Meals
- Kelowna, BC, Canada
- At Smart Start Meals, we provide ready-to-cook dinner packages for active people and families... ... delivered to your door! Our dinners give you a convenient, easy way to provide delicious, nutritious meals at home. Our service frees up valuable time in your day; no more last minute meal planning, shopping and preparation. With a convenient online ordering system, enticing monthly menu selections, and a variety of dinner package sizes to suit your needs, you'll: "Always know what's for dinner!"
Blog Archive
Testimonials
I was actually just thinking about you today. We've got to get another order together, we're almost out of food! Everything has been great with the orders. We haven't actually had the curry yet, that's on the menu for tomorrow. The whitefish has become a favorite of ours, it's nice and spicy. The chicken tamale pie is also great, the corn bread is delicious.
- Chris S. - Kelowna
I made your Chili Meatloaf and Potato Casserole for my husband for dinner the other night. He absolutely LOVED IT! And let me tell you he doesn't say all that often whether he likes or dislikes something. The fact that he told me to tell you means this meal really made its markSo that dish is definitely a keeper. Thanks again for all the wonderful meal selections! - K. Tarr - Westbank
Thanks for your email, the meals worked out wonderfully for our ski trip. The portions for each meal were more than adequate for three skiers so with each dinner I was able to feed 12 skiers as I combined 4 meals into one dinner service (we still had some extra for midnight snacks). Nothing but compliments from all the guys and I passed on the details of your business to all. I especially liked the breakfast meals that we purchased with high praise for Joe's Special. Thanks again for your help in delivery and with the boxes, all were perfect. - M. Kopp - Kelowna
I am loving the convenience of the high-quality meals. There are things I've never even thought of making! We are starting to have a few favorites (the roast chicken, the basa, chicken papdoris, etc.)
- L. Zorn - Kelowna
Ken and Susanne, I wanted to take a few moments to express how Donna and I truly enjoyed our meal last night. We started this month's Smart Start Package with the Crispy Basa. The dinner was excellent, easy to prepare and allowed us to spend more quality time discussing our day. We were amazed with the healthy portions and the quality of the meal. Needless to say we will no longer have to ask whats for dinner tonight? Keep up the great work!!
- The Robichaud Family - Westbank
Everything has been so good and so easy for us! Last night I had the Southwest Veggie Bake with Tofu. It's the second time I've had this one and I absolutely love it. It's easy to make, it has tons of flavor and I have to wrap up the leftovers right away or I sit and pick at it until it's gone. It's my fave by far. I also had the veggie fajitas the other night and those were fantastic too. Every time we try a new dinner it becomes a family favorite. Smart Start Meals has made our life so much easier!
- Jennifer - Kelowna
The dinners were fantastic for too many reasons to list here (taste, convenience, etc). Being able to have meals of this quality ready so quickly is great! We both actually look forward to preparing dinner now, so who ever gets home first gets the meal ready. We're looking forward to the May dinners. We've spread the word on your service so expect some new customers."
- Roland - Peachland
"When our life gets busy, it is more important than ever to have good, tasty, healthy family meals that we eat sitting down together.Smart Start has made it possible for me to not give this up when our schedule gets crazy. I can even entertain knowing that the meal prep is already done and my friends will enjoy the home cooked flavour and exciting combinations. Smart Start helps me get and keep the life I want. Thank you, Ken and Susanne!"
- Cheryl - Kelowna
- Chris S. - Kelowna
I made your Chili Meatloaf and Potato Casserole for my husband for dinner the other night. He absolutely LOVED IT! And let me tell you he doesn't say all that often whether he likes or dislikes something. The fact that he told me to tell you means this meal really made its markSo that dish is definitely a keeper. Thanks again for all the wonderful meal selections! - K. Tarr - Westbank
Thanks for your email, the meals worked out wonderfully for our ski trip. The portions for each meal were more than adequate for three skiers so with each dinner I was able to feed 12 skiers as I combined 4 meals into one dinner service (we still had some extra for midnight snacks). Nothing but compliments from all the guys and I passed on the details of your business to all. I especially liked the breakfast meals that we purchased with high praise for Joe's Special. Thanks again for your help in delivery and with the boxes, all were perfect. - M. Kopp - Kelowna
I am loving the convenience of the high-quality meals. There are things I've never even thought of making! We are starting to have a few favorites (the roast chicken, the basa, chicken papdoris, etc.)
- L. Zorn - Kelowna
Ken and Susanne, I wanted to take a few moments to express how Donna and I truly enjoyed our meal last night. We started this month's Smart Start Package with the Crispy Basa. The dinner was excellent, easy to prepare and allowed us to spend more quality time discussing our day. We were amazed with the healthy portions and the quality of the meal. Needless to say we will no longer have to ask whats for dinner tonight? Keep up the great work!!
- The Robichaud Family - Westbank
Everything has been so good and so easy for us! Last night I had the Southwest Veggie Bake with Tofu. It's the second time I've had this one and I absolutely love it. It's easy to make, it has tons of flavor and I have to wrap up the leftovers right away or I sit and pick at it until it's gone. It's my fave by far. I also had the veggie fajitas the other night and those were fantastic too. Every time we try a new dinner it becomes a family favorite. Smart Start Meals has made our life so much easier!
- Jennifer - Kelowna
The dinners were fantastic for too many reasons to list here (taste, convenience, etc). Being able to have meals of this quality ready so quickly is great! We both actually look forward to preparing dinner now, so who ever gets home first gets the meal ready. We're looking forward to the May dinners. We've spread the word on your service so expect some new customers."
- Roland - Peachland
"When our life gets busy, it is more important than ever to have good, tasty, healthy family meals that we eat sitting down together.Smart Start has made it possible for me to not give this up when our schedule gets crazy. I can even entertain knowing that the meal prep is already done and my friends will enjoy the home cooked flavour and exciting combinations. Smart Start helps me get and keep the life I want. Thank you, Ken and Susanne!"
- Cheryl - Kelowna