FAQ

Is this a subscription service?
No. You can order as often or as infrequently as you want (though orders must meet our $50 minimum). Order once a week or once a month; you get to decide what works for you.

How does the service work?
Each Tuesday our new weekly menu will be posted. You will have until Friday at 11:59 p.m. to place your order for delivery the following Monday. Each menu will have a variety of entrees to choose from and many meals come with a side. Additional suggested sides/salads can be added to your entree.

Entrees and sides are ordered as a single serving and you can purchase as many servings as you like. We package items as single servings, but if you would like your meals packaged as two-person servings add a note in the special instructions box in your cart at checkout. We cannot package any more than two servings together because it changes the heating times.

Are the meals fresh or frozen?
All of our meals are delivered to you fresh. For optimal food safety, plan to eat them within 5 – 6  days of your delivery.

Meals that do not include any delicate items such as lettuce or fresh herbs can most likely be frozen. Thaw meals in the refrigerator before cooking and note that cooking times and food textures may change.

How often does the menu change?
The menu changes weekly and will repeat every four months or so. (So if you have a favorite, you will see it again). There will also be unique menus available for special events and holidays.

How will I know how to cook the meals?
Each item will come labeled with reheating instructions. Meals will be ready to eat, or will take just a few minutes in the microwave.

A note about food safety. Foods reheated in a microwave oven must be reheated so that all parts of the food reach a temperature of at least 165°F. 

What kind of containers do you use?
We use a variety of containers. Most meals will be packaged in either containers made from bamboo paper, or fiber trays made from bagasse (a byproduct of sugarcane production) that are lined with PLA bioplastic. A few items, such as soups and curries will be packaged in plastic containers.

Can I customize dishes to leave out certain ingredients due to allergies?
Because we cook the meals in bulk each week, we are unable to substitute or remove ingredients from individual servings. However, we do offer several gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options on our menu. You'll see them labeled as GF for gluten-free, DF for dairy-free and V for vegetarian in the product name. Items containing peanuts, tree nuts, soy, sesame, fish, shellfish and egg will be labeled in the product description.

Do you have a set vegetarian menu?
No, but you will find at least one vegetarian option every week.

Is everything organic?
While we strive to use organic ingredients as much as possible, they are not always practical or available. However, we always use all-natural, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat and poultry. We also shop for local produce as much as possible.

Is nutritional information available?
No, we are not able to provide nutritional information.

Where do you do your cooking?
All items are cooked in a commercial kitchen.

When will my food be delivered?
Currently, meals will be delivered Monday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

How is my food delivered?
Orders will be delivered in insulated bags with reusable ice packs. Please leave your empty insulated bag and ice packs for pickup on your next delivery day. If you will not be at home when your delivery is expected, we recommend leaving a cooler at your delivery point that we can place your insulated bag inside.

If at any point you decide not to continue with our service please let us know and we will pick up your insulated bag and ice pack.

Will I be notified when my order has been delivered?
Yes. When your order is dropped off, a text message will be sent to the phone number that you included with your order. 

What areas do you deliver to?
We deliver to Port Angeles and Sequim and locations in between. This map shows the general area. If you live outside the area on the map, e-mail HomePlatesChef@gmail.com and we will see if we can accommodate your order.

 

What if it snows?
In the case of inclement weather, meals will be cooked and delivered the following week.

What if the scheduled delivery day is a holiday?
Meals will be cooked and delivered the next day.

How can I be sure that my order went through?
With your first order you will set up an account. After you’ve placed your order, you’ll be able to check your account and see your list of orders there. In addition, we’ll send an order confirmation to the e-mail you have provided (check your spam folder too).

Can I change my order after I’ve placed it?
The shop platform that I use does not allow changes to local delivery orders. But if you need to make changes  you can email HomePlatesChef@gmail.com and we can cancel the order for you and you can then reorder with the items you want.

Can I cancel my order?
If it is before the Friday at 11:59 p.m. ordering deadline, you can email HomePlatesChef@gmail.com and we can cancel the order for you.

How can I update my delivery instructions or address?
If you would like to change your delivery instructions or address for future orders, you can log into your account and then edit your contact information. 

If you would like to change your delivery instructions or address for a current order, email HomePlatesChef@gmail.com and we can make that change for you. Please make sure to ask for these changes by Sunday at noon.

I tried to place an order but it said it could not be delivered to the selected address. What went wrong?
Either you live outside the ZIP codes that we service, or, you have not met our $50 minimum order.