This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
Eva Mugo's The Dinner Box Revolutionizes Healthy Food Options in Kenya ¶
July 2, 2020
Kenyan entrepreneur Eva Mugo has found a solution to the problem of unhealthy food options in the country. Her innovative business, The Dinner Box, delivers pre-portioned meal kits to customers' doors, providing a convenient and healthy alternative to restaurant dining.
After graduating from the United States International University with a degree in international business administration, Eva pursued a Master's degree in global media and communication at the University of Melbourne in Australia. However, she soon found herself struggling to balance her school schedule with work and the cost of unhealthy food.
It was during this time that Eva discovered meal kits, which allowed her to prepare her own food at home. She was impressed by the convenience and health benefits of meal kits and saw an opportunity to bring this concept to Kenya.
Upon returning to Kenya late last year, Eva founded The Dinner Box, an online-based enterprise that delivers meal kits to customers' homes. The meal kits are pre-portioned packages of ingredients for different dishes, along with a recipe, which customers can order online and have delivered to their doorsteps.
By cooking at home, clients get to enjoy restaurant-style dining while saving the hassle of buying groceries and determining the portions of oil, salt, or spices to add while cooking.
The Dinner Box offers a variety of meal plans, including chicken, lamb, fish, and beef recipes, as well as vegetarian options consisting of pasta and veggie wraps. The meal plans come in different sizes that serve one, two, or four people, and include spices, sauces, and other seasoning elements.
While meal kits are a popular concept in the western world, Eva notes that it is still a new phenomenon in Kenya. However, she is confident that The Dinner Box will capitalize on the growing demand for healthy food options in the country.
According to Eva, most people, especially working millennials, suffer from 'decision fatigue' where they're unable to decide what to have for dinner after an exhausting day at work. The Dinner Box aims to provide a solution to this problem by offering a convenient and healthy alternative to restaurant dining.
With the help of Rhoda Nemburis, a culinary arts expert, Eva creates the recipes for The Dinner Box. Rhoda determines the ingredients for every dish, and Eva supervises operations and approves the recipes.
When the coronavirus pandemic was first announced in Kenya, hotels and restaurants were ordered shut to contain the spread of the virus. However, Eva saw this as an opportunity to strike and launch her business. The Dinner Box allows clients to enjoy the experience of restaurant-like dining even during the pandemic, and they get to make the food themselves.
So far, the reception has been impressive, with many Kenyans curious to try out the new concept. Eva notes that cooking, as opposed to buying a readymade meal, allows for more freedom and flexibility, and it is a great learning experience.
As the local food scene grows and Kenyans grow to appreciate different options, the food business is getting more diverse every day. Eva hopes to create a new recipe every week and add additional meal plans by the end of the year.
