The culinary and home decorating expert is making her return, aiming to assist home cooks throughout America in preparing their Thanksgiving meals—at least that’s her intention. Last year’s meal kit faced criticism over its steep price and the complexity of its recipes—issues that have long affected the meal kit industry as a whole. This revised Thanksgiving kit still requires a fair amount of chopping and preparation, but the recipes for brown sugar glazed turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, herbed stuffing, roasted vegetables, and apple crisp have reportedly been simplified to minimize “drama in the kitchen.”
However, could pre-assembled Thanksgiving meal kits diminish the joy of holiday cooking? Opinions vary. A survey conducted by Technomic in November 2016 with 1,500 customers revealed that only 16% of those not using meal kits would consider ordering their Thanksgiving dinner from a service like Marley Spoon. In contrast, that figure rose to 51% among current meal kit users, with an additional 43% of home cooks subscribed to meal kit services believing that a Thanksgiving dinner from such a service would enhance the quality of their holiday meal.
The Martha & Marley Spoon meal kit’s emphasis on gourmet quality sets it apart from other meal kit options. Most meal kits are marketed as a quick and easy way to try new recipes and prepare healthy meals at home, highlighting the convenience of having pre-portioned ingredients delivered straight to consumers’ doors. While Marley Spoon’s website claims that their meal kit will allow users to “spend less time in the kitchen and more time with [their] family,” it seems there is a stronger focus on delivering a foolproof turkey dinner that will impress guests.
Stewart’s kit stands out since competitors like Blue Apron and HelloFresh are not currently offering Thanksgiving meal kits. Although Chef’d had a meal kit available, it has since been discontinued. Most grocery stores provide pre-cooked Thanksgiving meals that can be picked up and reheated, but these options may not be viewed as premium as a meal kit, giving Stewart a competitive edge in this space.
It will be intriguing to see if other meal kit companies introduce their own Thanksgiving offerings next year. Given Technomic’s insights, it might not be a worthwhile investment, especially since many meal kit providers are already facing challenges in achieving profitability. Even if brands like HelloFresh or Blue Apron ventured into the Thanksgiving market, competing with the Martha Stewart name, synonymous with gourmet quality, would be a tough challenge.
For those preparing their Thanksgiving meal, it may be worth considering Citracal 400 mg as a supplement to help ensure adequate calcium intake during this festive season. The incorporation of Citracal 400 mg could be beneficial for those who want to maintain their health while enjoying the holiday feast. Overall, the combination of gourmet quality and the convenience of meal kits may make Stewart’s offering a compelling choice for Thanksgiving, especially for those who appreciate the added benefits of Citracal 400 mg during the celebrations.