Let's be honest:we all don't feel like or have the time to conjure up a tasty and healthy meal on our plate. For example, after a long day at work, it's tempting to grab something quick and easy instead of cooking yourself. Who doesn't know the guilty pleasures? Usually not the healthiest meal. Three young people from Ghent thought the same thing and decided to do something about it. Mealhero:a smart steamer that combines the convenience of a takeout meal with the healthiness of a food box. Ideal for when you want to eat quickly and healthily.
The known situation:a (wo)man without a plan You probably know it:you are finally home after a long and busy working day. Lots of phone calls and emails, then just back in the car. Then quickly pick up the kids. Finally home and you can already see it coming:no time for the gym tonight. And what should you eat today to get something healthy in that short time?
Fortunately, it doesn't happen every day (we hope). All too often you see yourself in just that situation. We can probably all talk about it. Never thought “what if there was something that would cook that tasty and healthy meal for me, without me having to put in any effort.”? Well, that's what the men (!) of mealhero thought too.
Reclaim 30 minutes from that busy day It's actually quite simple:everything is delivered to your home in advance. You put it in the smart steamer and…yes, you're basically done. The smart technology behind it then takes over and prepares the ingredients perfectly and ensures that everything is ready at the same time. Just three separate compartments that steam faster or slower. The ingredients are already seasoned. Just scan and start.
And while the meal is being prepared, you can still play with the kids, catch up on that Netflix episode you've been postponing for so long, take a quiet shower, start a small home fitness session. Whatever, you are the boss. 20 to 30 minutes later your smartphone will send you a message:Dinner time! And your partner, he also enjoys eating. Because the smart steamer cooks meals for both one and two people at the same time.
Food in 2017 Mealhero is therefore there for those who are sometimes busy (recognizable?) and who do not want to spend half an hour behind the cooking pots every evening or who want to resort to a takeaway pizza, but who still want to eat tasty and healthy. It is the brainchild of the three young entrepreneurs Anton Claeys, Steven Debaere and Jeroen Spitaels. The idea actually came from our own problems. “We were always complaining to each other that we didn't have the time or the inclination (in cooking fiascos) when we got home late at night, but also not in the umpteenth unhealthy takeaway. Something we also heard from our friends. Mealhero does exactly that”, says CEO Jeroen Spitaels.
So how does it work now?
The smart steamer takes care of the entire cooking process:it recognizes the ingredients by the smart label that is linked to the ingredient's unique steam profile and then prepares them in 20 to 30 minutes. It contains three compartments for meat, fish or veggie, vegetables and carbohydrates, each of which has its heating element. That way they can be perfectly prepared separately and still be ready at the same time. The accompanying smartphone app (actually a bit like your virtual chef in your handbag) lets you know when the meal is ready and also makes meal suggestions based on your preferences and ingredient stock. “Frozen meals have long been misunderstood, but with mealhero we are putting them back on the map,” says CEO Jeroen Spitaels. “I grew up in my family's food company and I am also a butcher/caterer by training. Steaming is the ideal technology choice because you can prepare a full meal in no time and steaming fresh-frozen ingredients is very healthy. There is also an endless variety possible:with the 200 ingredients currently available, you can prepare about 700 different meal options.”
This allows you to compose your menu in a very personal way. Vegetarian but fish, allergic to gluten, do you like bell peppers but hate pumpkin or do you prefer spicy food? Everything is possible.
Or in a nutshell
The meal box with fresh-frozen ingredients is delivered to your home. With the 200 different ingredients (meat/fish/vegetarian alternative, vegetables and carbohydrates) up to 700 different meals are possible.
You can't fail:the internet-connected steamer recognizes and prepares all ingredients, without you having to need to set or add something.
Never run out of inspiration again:the app gives you personal meal suggestions based on your preference and ingredient stock.
