If you've got more take-out containers than 'real' food in your fridge,
chances are you could use a trip to new spot in Forest Park . Prep
Kitchen is a cool new 'do-it-yourself' concept that lets busy families
get homemade meals without all the fuss.
Watch the Video
We all know it is more economical and probably healthier but let's
face it, having home-cooked meals on the table each night can be
tough. Here, you still have a hand in preparing the dinners for
your family but the Prep Kitchen does all of the shopping, slicing
and dicing for you. Amy Pokras and her husband first spotted the
concept on a food show.
"We're making their dinner time much more relaxing, much less
stressful and a lot of free time to let them do what they'd rather
be doing," said Amy Pokras. "It just made so much sense, the whole
idea of being able to prep your meals in one day in two hours and
have them for the whole month."
So, back in July, they launched the Prep Kitchen.
"You have 15 different menu options each month. They change monthly.
You choose the meals you want to make, you choose one of the session
times," said Pokras.
Then, you mix and knead your way to almost a month's worth of
meals for your family.
"We know what meals you are making, we've made sure all of the
proteins are portioned out, all of the veggies are sliced and organized,
all of the spices are there for you and all of the utensils, mixing
bowls," said Pokras.
Once you settle in to your work station and select the meals your
family would like, in about two hours you'll have entrees like Lemon
Dijon Salmon and Bombay Chicken with Apricot Relish!
"We have Chipotle meatloaf to warm you up on a cold winter's night.
We have pork chops with caramelized red onions and we've already
caramelized them for you so you don't have to worry about that,"
said Pokras.
The 8 or 12 meal packages range in size to accommodate everyone
from empty-nesters up to large families. The cost runs from about
$150-$200 per package.
"My husband looks at the bill and says, 'how does she do that
compared with what I used to spend at the grocery store… I'm not
spending more. If anything, I'm spending less I think," said Pokras.
When you leave, everything is packaged and ready to cook right
away or keep for a bit in the freezer.
"Everything has been taste tested to be prepped just this way
and then frozen, thawed and cooked. All of our meals have thawing
and cooking instructions on them," said Pokras.
It hasn't taken long for busy families to flock.
"I have three kids and with the after school activities, I was
just running around like crazy and coming here, I could actually
make the meals while they were in school then, sit down with them
in the evening and have dinner," said Renee.
"I work 50 hours a week and my husband is recovering from surgery.
This is a lifesaver," said Glenyss.
Kelly Soprych is the working mom of twins.
"This way, I can play with them instead of spending it in the
kitchen chopping up vegetables," said Soprych.
And coming home to a clean kitchen is another big plus.
"The food is very good but the convenience of being able to come
in here and make a mess and not have to clean it up yourself. The
only thing you have to wash here is your hands," said Pokras.
For
more information:
The Prep Kitchen
7237 Madison Street
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 366-7737
www.theprepkitchen.com
