Chefs Plate Review: Is This Meal Kit Service Worth It?
As a busy professional, I‘m always looking for convenient ways to eat healthy, delicious meals at home without having to spend hours meal planning and grocery shopping each week. When I heard about Chefs Plate, a meal kit subscription service that delivers pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes right to your doorstep, I was intrigued.
I‘ve been using Chefs Plate for the past 3 months, and in this in-depth review, I‘ll share my honest experience to help you decide if this popular meal kit is right for you. I‘ll cover how Chefs Plate works, the different plans and pricing, example meals, pros and cons, and comparisons to other top meal kit brands. Let‘s dig in!
How Chefs Plate Works
The process of signing up and selecting your meals with Chefs Plate is very simple:
- Choose your desired meal plan (Classic, Family or Vegetarian)
- Select the number of people you‘re cooking for (2 or 4)
- Choose how many recipes you want per week (2, 3 or 4)
- Enter your email address, delivery and payment info
- Select your meals for the upcoming week from 15+ chef-designed recipes
- Receive your Chefs Plate box with pre-measured ingredients and step-by-step recipe cards
- Cook, plate and enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home in around 30 minutes!
One of the things I love about Chefs Plate is the flexibility. You can easily skip weeks when you‘re busy or traveling, and cancel anytime if you‘re not satisfied. They also have a user-friendly website and mobile app that makes selecting your weekly recipes a breeze.
Chefs Plate Plans and Pricing
Chefs Plate offers 3 meal plans to fit different tastes and lifestyles:
- Classic Plan: Includes meat, seafood and vegetarian recipes
- Family Plan: Kid-friendly meals with easy-to-follow instructions
- Vegetarian Plan: Seasonal produce and plant-based proteins
Here‘s a breakdown of the pricing for each plan:
Classic Plan
- 2 recipes per week for 2 people: $45.96 + $6 shipping
- 3 recipes per week for 2 people: $59.94 + free shipping
- 4 recipes per week for 2 people: $79.92 + free shipping
- 2 recipes per week for 4 people: $87.84 + free shipping
- 3 recipes per week for 4 people: $107.88 + free shipping
- 4 recipes per week for 4 people: $143.84 + free shipping
Family Plan
- 2 recipes per week for 4 people: $79.92 + free shipping
- 3 recipes per week for 4 people: $107.88 + free shipping
- 4 recipes per week for 4 people: $143.84 + free shipping
Vegetarian Plan
- 2 recipes per week for 2 people: $45.96 + $6 shipping
- 3 recipes per week for 2 people: $59.94 + free shipping
- 4 recipes per week for 2 people: $79.92 + free shipping
- 2 recipes per week for 4 people: $87.84 + free shipping
- 3 recipes per week for 4 people: $107.88 + free shipping
- 4 recipes per week for 4 people: $143.84 + free shipping
As you can see, the cost per serving decreases the more recipes and servings you order each week. Shipping is free on all plans except the 2-recipe plans for 2 people. Compared to other meal kit services in Canada like HelloFresh and GoodFood, Chefs Plate‘s pricing is very competitive and affordable.
Chefs Plate Meal Examples
Each week, Chefs Plate offers 15+ recipes to choose from across different cuisines, proteins, skill levels and prep times. Here are a few meals I‘ve made and enjoyed:
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Honey-Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Jasmine Rice: This Asian-inspired dish was ready in just 25 minutes and had a nice balance of sweet and savory flavors. The carrots and bok choy added a nice crunch.
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Beef & Cheddar Burger with Caramelized Onions & Oven Fries: A gourmet twist on a classic hamburger and fries combo. The brioche buns were soft and fluffy, and the aged cheddar and balsamic-glazed onions took it to the next level.
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Mediterranean Halloumi Bowls with Quinoa Tabbouleh, Hummus & Toasted Pita: A satisfying vegetarian meal packed with protein from the pan-fried halloumi cheese and hummus. The homemade quinoa tabbouleh with fresh parsley, tomato and lemon juice was light and refreshing.
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Steakhouse-Style Ribeye with Rosemary Jus, Garlicky Greens & Potato Wedges: The ribeye steaks were juicy and flavorful, and the rosemary jus added a touch of elegance. Crispy potato wedges and sautéed spinach made for a balanced plate.
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Crispy Chickpea Tostadas with Avocado Crema, Pickled Onions & Cabbage Slaw: A fun, handheld meal that‘s great for lunch or dinner. The crispy tostadas paired well with the spiced roasted chickpeas, cool avocado crema, tangy pickled onions and crunchy slaw.
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One-Pot Farfalle Primavera with Peas, Spinach, Ricotta & Parmesan: An easy pasta dish loaded with colorful veggies – asparagus, spinach, peas and cherry tomatoes. The creamy ricotta and parmesan cheese made it feel indulgent.
So far, I‘ve been consistently impressed with the quality of ingredients and flavors in these Chefs Plate recipes. The portions are hearty and satisfying, and most meals truly do come together in 30 minutes or less. I love the variety and being able to explore new cuisines and cooking techniques.
Chefs Plate Pros and Cons
To summarize my experience with Chefs Plate, here are the main advantages and drawbacks I‘ve found:
Pros:
- Convenient meal planning and grocery shopping solution
- 15+ chef-designed recipes to choose from each week
- High-quality, pre-portioned fresh ingredients
- Easy to follow recipe cards with photos
- 30-minute meals for busy lifestyles
- Exposure to new foods, flavors and cooking skills
- Flexible subscription you can skip or cancel anytime
- Responsive customer service and reliable delivery
- Eco-friendly packaging that‘s recyclable
- Refer-a-friend program for account credit
Cons:
- Higher cost per serving than cooking from scratch
- Some plastic packaging for ingredients (although it‘s recyclable)
- Can‘t fully customize recipes or accommodate allergies
- Required to be home for delivery (although food stays cold)
- No options for breakfast, lunch, snacks or add-ons
- Menu may not change enough from week-to-week for some
Overall, I‘ve had a very positive experience with Chefs Plate and feel the convenience, time-savings and delicious meals are worth the cost. It‘s helped me reduce time spent on meal planning and cooking, while expanding my palate and kitchen skills. Of course, it may not be the right fit for everyone‘s taste, budget or lifestyle.
How Chefs Plate Compares to Other Meal Kits
Chefs Plate is one of the most popular meal kit delivery services in Canada, but how does it stack up against competitors? Here‘s a quick comparison to HelloFresh and GoodFood, two other leading meal kit brands:
Compared to HelloFresh:
- Chefs Plate has slightly lower prices and free shipping on more plans
- Chefs Plate includes some recipes with pre-made sauces to save time
- Chefs Plate has a smaller menu and fewer add-ons like snacks and pantry items
- HelloFresh offers more low-carb, vegetarian and calorie-smart options
Compared to GoodFood:
- Chefs Plate has comparable pricing, with GoodFood a bit higher
- Chefs Plate has more recipes for 4 people and families
- GoodFood offers prepared meals, breakfasts, and grocery add-ons
- GoodFood has more gluten-free, vegan and organic options
Ultimately, all three services provide high-quality ingredients and chef-designed recipes delivered to your door. It may come down to personal preferences on menu options, recipe variety, pricing and dietary accommodations.
Chefs Plate Promotions and Deals
Like most meal kit services, Chefs Plate regularly offers promotions for new customers to try out their subscription at a discount. Here are a few of the best sign-up deals I‘ve seen:
- Get 50% off your first 2 boxes + free shipping
- Get $80 off your first 3 boxes ($40 off 1st, $30 off 2nd, $10 off 3rd)
- Refer a friend and get $40 off your next box, friend also gets 50% off
- Buy a Chefs Plate e-gift card, get a bonus $10-$50 for you to spend
I always recommend taking advantage of one of these generous new customer offers if you‘re thinking about trying Chefs Plate. It‘s a great way to test out the service and see if you like it before committing to full price.
The Verdict: Is Chefs Plate Worth It?
After cooking with Chefs Plate for the past few months, I can confidently say it‘s been a worthwhile investment for my household. The meals are consistently tasty, easy to make and save me valuable time on shopping and prep. While it‘s more expensive than buying groceries and cooking from scratch, I‘ve found it to be an affordable way to enjoy elevated, restaurant-style meals at home.
Of course, Chefs Plate may not be the best fit for everyone. If you have severe food allergies, follow a specific diet, or prefer complete control over ingredients and recipes, a meal kit service may feel limiting. It‘s also not the most budget-friendly option if you‘re feeding a large family or have extra mouths to feed.
But for busy professionals, couples and families who want to streamline weeknight dinners and expand their cooking horizons, I think Chefs Plate is an excellent choice. The ordering process is simple, the quality and taste of the meals is outstanding, and the flexible plans and pricing make it accessible. With the hefty new customer sign-up discounts, I‘d recommend anyone give Chefs Plate a try to see how it can simplify your life in the kitchen.
Interested in trying Chefs Plate? Sign up now and get 50% off your first box!
Have you tried Chefs Plate before? Let me know about your experience in the comments below!
