From fast food to fine dining, a growing number of UK restaurants are relying on home kits to keep them afloat during lockdown.
Clients are becoming cooks and recreating their favorite meals in the comfort of their own kitchens.
For James Knappett, chef and owner of Michelin-starred London restaurant Kitchen Table, the decision to deliver do-it-yourself meal kits wasn’t easy, but it was essential.
Before the first lockdown in March, his restaurant was full every day, had a three-month waiting list, and employed 20 staff. Now, just four of them handle the 80 home delivery orders per week.
Targeting the high-end of the market, meal kits start at $200 dollars, with the top price boxes for two costing a tasty $334.
For brothers James and Thom Elliot, owners of Pizza Pilgrims, the lockdowns provided an opportunity to offer food fans a “pizza in the post.”
The venture now sells over 1,000 kits a day delivered by couriers.
Priced at around $20 for two pizzas, the Elliots say the “pick your own toppings” business was profitable from day one—and they plan to continue the home kits into next year and beyond.