If you are a first-time cook or are tired of ordering takeaways every night, you can now order ingredients which will be delivered at your doorstep. City-based Built2cook has come up with a business plan that enables you to cook up a gourmet meal in just 20 minutes. “Our products are fresh and the quantities given are just right to cook up a meal for one,” says Altaf Saiyed, founder.
The concept is simple, which is the best part. Each box takes about six-seven hours to put together. A recipe is chosen, and a small group comprising foodies and food bloggers are asked to give their opinion. The best dishes are then chosen for the week. The idea is to help people who are shopping around for ingredients, which may be difficult to find. It also means you do not need to buy an entire bottle of sauce which you may hardly use later. And fresh ingredients is the key.
“Working professionals form the crux of our client base though we get orders from families as well,” says Altaf, an MBA graduate from Stanford University. “We want to introduce North Indian food too,” adds Altaf who does not want to start biryani in Hyderabad because he knows that they may not live up to the authentic taste. Their best dishes are Pad Thai, pan seared basa, Thai prawn yellow curry and Sambal Udong. Built2cook has priced each box at '250, which is delivered to your doorstep. Their family boxes will start in two weeks.
At 30, Altaf, who has lived in the US and UK for six years, had earlier worked with Tech Mahindra and was a part of the Vibrant Gujarat initiative for the Gujarat government. Altaf adds, “We tried various cookouts at residential areas. It recently happened at ISB. People tried out the recipes from the boxes and gave us their honest opinions. That is how we knew that there was a market for this concept. The only hurdle we face now is changing the consumer behaviour.”
