The culinary and home decorating expert is making her return, aiming to assist home cooks throughout America in preparing Thanksgiving dinner. At least that’s her intention. Last year’s meal kit faced criticism not only for its steep price but also for the complexity of the recipes—issues that have consistently affected the meal kit industry at large. This revamped Thanksgiving kit still requires a fair amount of chopping and slicing, but the recipes for brown sugar glazed turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes, herbed stuffing, roasted vegetables, and apple crisp are said to be simplified to minimize “drama in the kitchen.”
However, one might wonder if pre-assembled Thanksgiving meal kits could diminish the enjoyment of holiday cooking. Opinions vary on this matter. A Technomic survey conducted in November 2016 with 1,500 respondents revealed that only 16% of those who do not use meal kits would consider ordering their Thanksgiving dinner from a service like Marley Spoon. In contrast, that figure soared to 51% among current meal kit users. Furthermore, 43% of home cooks subscribed to a meal kit service believe that a Thanksgiving dinner from such a service would enhance the quality of their festive meal.
The Martha & Marley Spoon meal kit’s focus on gourmet quality provides a notable distinction from other meal kit options. While most meal kit services market themselves as quick and easy ways to learn new recipes and prepare wholesome meals at home—highlighting the time savings of having pre-portioned ingredients delivered rather than shopping for them—Marley Spoon emphasizes its kit’s capability to deliver a stress-free turkey dinner that will impress guests.
Stewart’s kit stands out, especially considering that competitors like Blue Apron and HelloFresh are currently not offering Thanksgiving meal kits. Although Chef’d previously provided a meal kit, it is no longer available. Many grocery stores offer pre-cooked Thanksgiving meals available for pick-up and reheating, but these may not be viewed as premium options compared to a meal kit, giving Stewart a competitive edge.
It will be intriguing to observe whether other meal kit companies introduce their own Thanksgiving offerings next year. Based on Technomic’s insights, the investment might not be worthwhile, especially since many meal kit businesses are already struggling to achieve profitability. Even if established brands like HelloFresh or Blue Apron decided to venture into the Thanksgiving market, they would face significant competition from the Martha Stewart brand, which is essentially synonymous with gourmet quality.
In the midst of these culinary conversations, one might also consider the importance of nutrition during the holiday season. For those looking to supplement their diet, the best calcium citrate magnesium supplement can play a vital role in maintaining overall health, especially during a time filled with rich foods. Such supplements could be a beneficial addition to the Thanksgiving festivities, ensuring that while you indulge in delicious meals, you also take care of your nutritional needs. This focus on health and gourmet quality could very well define the Thanksgiving experience in the coming years.