FAQs
What's the main difference between you and other meal companies?
Because we're small we can make quality and flavour our absolute priority. Our meals really do have that home-cooked taste.
We're passionate about bringing you Real Food - food that you can actually look forward to eating at the end of the day.
All our meals are hand-made with love and care by our chefs - not a factory or production line in sight.
As as example: All our meat dishes are slowly simmered in their sauce; rather than steaming the meat and then pouring different sauces onto them
Because we want you to have the very best, we don't scrimp on anything, and use only the best quality ingredients.
Why are your meals frozen?
So that the meals are as great when you reheat them as they were when they left the chef's pan.
All the meals are snap-frozen the minute they're made, making sure that all the flavour and nutrients are locked in.
They'll stay at their very best until you choose to eat them (unlike 'fresh' meals which start deteriorating as soon as they're packed)
Also, there's no wastage, and no pressure for you to eat the meals within a certain time.
You don't have to worry if something expected comes up and you eat out, as your meals will happily stay in the freezer until you're ready for them.
You can read more about the benefits of freezing here
How do I reheat the meals?
You can heat all the meals in a microwave (apart from the pastas-to-share and large cottage pies, which are in a metal container)
There are full instructions given on the bottom labels of each and every dish.
Do I have to use a microwave?
Not always.......
Some meals (see above) need to be heated in an oven.
The casserole-style main meals can be defrosted, and then reheated either in a covered dish in the oven, or by gently heating in a saucepan on the hob.
The pasta dishes are however at their best and always perfectly al dente when reheated in a microwave straight from frozen.
There are full instructions given on the bottom labels of each and every dish.
Do I need to defrost them before heating?
No. You can reheat directly from frozen.
The pasta meals in particular are best if reheated straight from frozen.
Some of our meatier meals - especially the Lamb Shanks and Beef Cheeks, because there's so much meat in them - remain at their most tender when they're allowed to defrost in the fridge during the day before reheating.
Do you provide meals for special diets?
Yes. We have meals that are gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian.
Also, all our meals are weighed, so they are ideal if you're looking for portion-control.
Do you add chemicals, flavourings, preservatives, etc to your meals?
No! We don't add anything. All our meals are cooked by hand, using real food - just like you would at home.
The only additives you'll find are when the recipe calls for an ingredient which in itself contains traces of additives - such as red wine, worcestershire sauce, tinned tomatoes, etc......
Our curry pastes are made by hand, apart from the butter chicken, which uses a pre-made paste that does contain some additives.
If you click on each dish you will be able to see a full description, all the ingredients, and a full nutritional panel
Do you home deliver?
Yes, we deliver to Canberra-Region and areas within Southern NSW.
Find out more details on our Delivery page
Our meals are also available in independent stores around Canberra and the Snowy Mountains
How do I order?
You can order at our Store
Or if you prefer you can call us on 0477 197 617
or email to info@dinnersready.com.au
Is there a minimum order?
Yes. Because of the logistics of processing, preparing and delivering your order, there's a minimum order of $100 meal value, plus delivery charge ($10 - but there's no charge if the order is over $150)
Do I need to sign a contract or commit to anything?
No, absolutely not. We want to give you ultimate flexibility. You just order what you want, when you want.
Can I set up a regular order instead of having to go to the Store each time?
Yes. Just email or call us and we can set up a regular order of your favourite meals as often as you like.
Still no commitments. You just let us know any time you want to change things.
Do I need to open an account?
No. You can just check out our full menu at our Store whenever you feel like it. When you're ready to place an order, we'll get your delivery and contact details after you've chosen your meals.
How do I know when my order will be delivered?
When you place an order it will automatically go into the schedule for the following Tuesday or Thursday in and around Canberra.
If you'd like to change that to another Tuesday or Thursday, just let us know in the "Comments" box when you place your order - or email us.
We'll also email you to confirm the delivery day (normally during the day before) For out-of-Canberra orders - please just email us to confirm the delivery day.
For out-of-Canberra orders please see the areas that we deliver to HERE. This also lists the delivery days in those areas. Please note that these deliveries are made by our refrigerated couriers, so we will need to receive the order a minimum of 48 hours prior to the day of delivery in order to get the meals to their depot.
What if I'm not home when you deliver?
We ring the bell to see if anyone is home - and if not then we leave your meals safely packed in their box by your front door. (The meals are tightly packed into an insulated pouch which is then put inside a thick cardboard carton, so the meals will stay frozen for many hours.)
If there's somewhere else you'd prefer, just let us have clear directions in the 'comments' box when you place your order.
If you're not going to be home, and you live in an apartment block without access to the foyer, please let us know where we should leave the box.
Do you offer Contactless Delivery ?
If you require contactless delivery - some of our customers have sensitivities or special medical needs - please just let us know in the 'comments' box when ordering. We'll then leave the box by your front door and text to let you know that it's there.
What if I don't want to be disturbed when you deliver?
We often deliver to parents of newborn babies and people who aren't feeling 100%. Just let us know when you order that you don't want to be disturbed, and where you'd like us to leave the meals. We'll text you when we've delivered so that you can fetch the box in your own time.
How will the meals be packaged?
We use the more eco-friendly packaging - a brown cardboard outer box, with a special insulated inner lining (made from recycled materials). You can put the cardboard box in with your other recyclables.
Are the food containers ok to microwave?
Yes. The black food containers are the highest quality available and are both freezer-safe and microwave-safe.
Is there enough food?
Yes. Our meals are bigger than they look in the package. We've deliberately chosen smaller packaging than most other companies, as we know how important it is to maximise your freezer space. Each of our meals will completely fill the meal tray so there's no wasted space. (With the exception of the roast dinners, which have a bigger meal tray.) There's more food than you'd think just by looking at them, and you'll be surprised to see just how much there is when you put your meal onto the plate.
My question isn't here!
If you have any other questions - please just call us on 0477 197 617
or email us at info@dinnersready.com.au