Fresh Box

fresh BOX director of operations Jed Inductivo (left) and culinary director William Chen process their weekly order NATHALIE WALKER PHOTO

At the end of a long work-day, going to the market and then home to cook a well-balanced and nutritional meal seems just … awful.

All the time, energy and focus it requires are enough to have any restaurant or fast-food chain looking like an easier alternative. This may especially be the case for those who don’t know the difference between dicing and mincing, or what al dente pasta should feel like.

When you’re that tired, things can quickly go the route of chaotic. Think Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire, burning everything before caving and calling take-out.

And yet, it’s not news that experts insist cooking at home is the key ingredient to a healthier diet and taking the time to attend culinary classes, like those at CocuSocial, can help you to learn new recipes that incorporates your wish for a healthier diet. Research done by John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health indicates that people who cook at home regularly consume fewer carbohydrates, less sugar and fat, and ultimately, fewer calories.

That’s the type of lifestyle fresh BOX hopes to foster, by providing the ingredients and know-how necessary to enable just about anyone to cook healthy meals with ease – even one of its founders.

“I have actually learned many cooking techniques that I never would have known to have done before,” says Jed Inductivo, one-half of the duo that runs the delivery service.

Together, he and William Chen, formerly a chef de cuisine at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa and executive chef at The St. Regis Princeville Resort on Kauai, launched fresh BOX last April. Chen concocts recipes, while Inductivo acts as unofficial guinea pig and handles marketing and sales for this still-new enterprise.

It began when the two enrolled in a 90-day CrossFit program that required participants to maintain a healthy diet. While everyone around them stuck to baked chicken and brown rice, Chen and Inductivo were eating Thai Watermelon Salad and other more imaginative creations that were equally nutritious.

Jed Inductivo (left) and William Chen with some of fresh BOX’s fresh produce
NATHALIE WALKER PHOTO

Around this time, community-supported agriculture (CSA) boxes also were gaining traction. But without any culinary experience, many of Inductivo’s friends felt lost when staring at their CSA ingredients. A trip to the Mainland gave Inductivo and Chen insight into existing programs that, like CSA boxes, provide raw ingredients. Only, these also come with recipe cards that teach customers what to do with everything.

“The light bulb went off,” says Inductivo. “So the whole thing was to encompass all these themes together.”

Currently, fresh BOX mails three meals per box, which costs subscribers $12 per meal (non-member pricing is $15 a meal). Each box is designed to serve two people and includes everything except seasonings like salt, pepper and oil.

Recipe cards with each packaged meal provide step-by-step instructions and pictures to use as a guide.

Meals are never the same and feature cuisine from around the world. Though fresh BOX currently does not offer vegetarian-only options, Inductivo says it definitely is something they are looking to do in the future. Also down the line, fresh BOX plans to offer wine pairings and more meal options.

Aside from the convenience fresh BOX has provided to subscribers, Inductivo says it also allows for downtime and a chance to connect with your cooking companion.

“I think just the experience of getting back into the kitchen and realizing it’s not as scary … has been nice,” says Inductivo.

For more information, visit hifreshbox.com.

My BOX Experience

Receiving my fresh BOX was exciting. I had it delivered to my office, and next to my desk it sat all day. With a trip to the market removed from my commute home, I felt at ease and, more than anything, excited to try something new.

And really, that’s the fun of fresh BOX. Since meals change weekly, it’s impossible to get stuck in a rut of cooking the same few dishes.

My week’s meals included Steak Quesadillas, Bacalao-Spanish Cod and Potatoes, and Basil Chicken Over Organic Pasta. Past meals have included everything from Shinsato Pork Rice Bowl to Oven Baked Chicken Fingers and an elegant Sweet Potato Pommes Anna.

Cooking everything was simple. Recipe cards provide instructions with photos to let you know if you’re on the right track, and it tells you exactly what kitchen equipment you’ll need (type of saucepan, size of pot, etc.).

The only problem I encountered arose while I was making the pasta, which included kale. As I was washing the kale, a large, almost translucent spider appeared. My strong dislike for spiders, had me trashing all the veggies for this meal.

Fresh BOX’s Jed Inductivo later reassured me that it’s not entirely uncommon, considering the company utilizes fresh produce. It makes perfect sense, but still, spiders in kale are something I’d rather not see.

Even without it, though, the pasta was my favorite dish. It was simple to cook, with equally simple flavors that satisfied. And since I know next to nothing about portioning meals, to have it done for me ensured I didn’t overeat.

Would I do it again? Maybe. I found the recipes to be incredibly valuable, and I’ve since replicated the pasta a couple of times. Plus, it was just fun to not have to hem and haw over what to make.

Still, nearly any recipe, healthy or otherwise easily is available on the Internet, and I like going to the market every week. Wandering the aisles and handpicking items is how I relax. And $12 for a single meal (or two, if you are cooking solo) is a little pricey in my opinion. It is considerably more affordable than eating out, especially if you’re looking for something healthy – but I’ve made vegan chili for only $20 that has stretched at least four days.

So if you’re a novice in the kitchen and looking for something convenient, yes, fresh BOX definitely fulfills that. Me? I enjoy going to the market just fine.