Each month there will be a variety of menu items to choose from, with each dish providing either 4-6 servings, 2-3 or individual servings. The following month's menu will also be available for viewing.

Prior to your arrival, you will need to pick a session time from the current calendar month, along with the number of menu items you want to assemble. A minimum of 6 menu items need to be selected if making 4-6 or 2-3 servings. If you are assembling individual servings, then a minimum of 15 items need to be chosen. After paying for your order on line, an email confirmation will be sent to your address, confirming your session time, date and the menu items selected.

After you arrive and stow your coat, you put on an apron (provided) and pick up your list of menu items selected. You will then notice a separate prep station for each of the menu items being offered for the month. A recipe card will be at each of these stations along with all the kitchen utensils and ingredients required to assemble each menu item.

Mix and assemble your menu items per the recipe and place in the appropriate containers provided (Zip-Loc bags and disposable baking tins). If there is an ingredient being used in the recipe that your family does not like, simply leave it out. Labels are also provided to place on the outside of the containers, for easy to follow cooking instructions when you reach home.

Once you have assembled and labeled your menu item, place it on a shelf in the refrigerated cooler designated for your meals. Go to the next station on your menu list, and assemble the next item. This process will continue until you have assembled all the menu items chosen.

Hand washing sinks will be present. Please wash your hands thoroughly before starting and plastic gloves must be worn during the assembly of each item. Once you have completed the assembly of each item, you will place the gloves in the trashcan provided and prior to sealing up the container and placing it in the refrigerated cooler. By wearing gloves you will keep your hands clean and this will make sealing the food containers much easier and will seal appropriately. The Department of Health also requires that gloves been worn when raw, fresh meats are being handled.

Assembling menu items will take approximately 2 hours for 12 or more and 1 hour if assembling 6 menu items or more. Of course some may work faster or slower than others. However, we want you to work at a pace that is comfortable for you. Listen to the music, share a few laughs or short stories with your neighbor and have fun!

Once you get home, place 2-3 items in the refrigerator for the rest of the week and freeze the remaining items. Take your meal card and post it on the refrigerator, so you know which items remain in the freezer and the date they were placed in there.

Each week, remove 2-3 items, or more, that you want to serve your family. You can place these items in the refrigerator for thawing or visit the food safety tips page for additional ideas.

Think about the time you will save each month, by coming in for 2 hours to assemble your menu items. Usually it takes 2 hours just to do the grocery shopping. This doesn't even include the time to put away the groceries, prep the food for dinner and all the clean up that follows. With making menu items from A Meal In Minutes you can spend more time around the table with your family, while serving them healthy, wholesome dinners.

There is no more indecision on what to make for dinner each night or run out to your favorite fast food restaurant because there was no time to prepare a healthy, wholesome
dinner.