Dawn Stranne & Associates
(415) 893-1780
dawn@pr-dsa.com
www.destinationdinners.com
DESTINATION
DINNERS FAQ
What is a Destination
Dinners Recipe Kit?
Destination
Dinners are
elegant, beautifully boxed recipe kits, often given as gifts. They provide
the home cook -- whether novice or expert -- with pre-measured hard-to-find
ingredients needed to prepare an exciting dinner from around the world,
a shopping list for fresh ingredients from a local supermarket, cooking
instructions and tips, as well as fascinating cultural information that
lends an air of adventure to those gathered for the meal. Destination
Dinners Recipe Kits are $25 and are currently only sold online.
How many Destination
Dinners are currently available?
There are currently
ten recipe kits, representing culinary traditions from around the globe:
Chicken Garam Masala from Dhaka, Bangladesh; Jerk
Chicken & Shrimp Barbecue from Boston Beach,
Jamaica; two Japanese favorites, Katsudon Pork Cutlet
and Egg Rice Bowl from Tokyo and Saikyo Miso Black
Cod in Miso Marinade, from Kyoto; Baked Spice Lamb
from Beirut, Lebanon; two Thai dishes, Green
Chicken Curry with Puffy Cups, from Ayutthaya, and Baked
Pineapple Rice with Chicken and Cashews, from Bangkok;
Falafel with “Hellfire” Harissa Sauce, from Haifa, Israel;
Beef Bulgogi (Marinated “Fire Meat”) from Seoul,
South Korea; and the newest destination, New Orleans for Creole Style Jambalaya.
What comes in
a Destination Dinners Recipe Kit?
Each Destination
Dinners Recipe Kit includes pre-measured spices, sauces, specialty rice
or other key non-perishable ingredients for the destination represented,
a shopping list for readily available fresh ingredients, complete preparation
instructions, suggestions for table settings, beverages and desserts,
even Tea & Trivia, information on the history, culture, traditions
and cuisine of each destination. Sauces are contained in handsome bottles
and spices are packed and labeled in clear acrylic cubes, which are part
of the permanent collection at the
What else is
required to make the dinner?
In addition
to the specialty ingredients, the recipe kit includes a shopping list
for fresh ingredients, which may be meat, fish or poultry, and fresh fruits
or vegetables, that are readily available at most supermarkets.
Who came up with the idea for Destination Dinners?
Lisa Diamond, a transplant from New England to
It began as a home-based business in the
Are any Destination Dinners vegetarian? Kosher?
The recipe kit for Falafel is vegetarian. Several other dinners can be made
without meat. The kits are not officially kosher and therefore do
not display the “K” designation -- although a number of Destination Dinners
(those from Seoul, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Israel and Bangkok) contain no
non-kosher ingredients.
What about food allergies?
Those with questions about allergies to specific ingredients
should contact sales@destinationdinners.com.
Can ingredients be substituted?
With most Destination Dinners, the main ingredients
can easily be substituted. For instance, pork or fish may be substituted
for chicken. The recipes are presented
using traditional ingredients, yet creativity while cooking up a recipe
kit is encouraged by Diamond.
Is it difficult for someone who doesn’t cook much to
prepare a Destination Dinners dish?
Destination Dinners instructions are designed with
the new or infrequent cook in mind. In fact, as a part of the kit development,
each of these dishes was made by a novice cook to ensure that absolutely
anyone could make them. Each kit includes a photograph of the completed
dish, as well as photographs of any fresh vegetables that may be new to the uninitiated. No special cookware is
required.
How are Destination Dinners shipped?
Destination Dinners are shipped via Priority Mail within
the
Are Destination
Dinner Recipe Kits eco-friendly?
Destination Dinners does its part to sustain a green
world. The beautiful red gift boxes
are made from recycled paperboard, as well as eco-friendly water-based
inks and glue. All of the bottles
and containers can be rinsed and reused, donated to schools or even recycled.
Destination Dinners strives to use only local suppliers and distributors.
The company hybrid car is used for scheduled pick-ups. Destination
Dinners sources most of its packing materials and recycles many items
through membership in SF Freecycle, the
Do kits require refrigeration?
The recipe kits do not require refrigeration, although
they should be stored in a cool, dry place. One kit, the Black Cod
from
How long do the kits stay fresh?
For maximum flavor, it is recommended that kits be
used within 90 days of receipt. Stored in a cool, dry place, kits will
last up to two years, but as with all spices, the flavors will lessen
over time.
Can Destination Dinner gifts be returned?
Kits can be returned, for exchange or merchandise credit,
within 30 days of purchase. For details on exchanges, e-mail sales@destinationdinners.com.
Does Destination Dinners offer other products?
In addition to recipe kits, Destination Dinners offers
a line of Dinner Party Kits, which include serving pieces, placemats,
bowls, trays, music CDs and other items to make the dining experience even more
festive, Gift Sets a simplified version of the Dinner Party Kits,
and the Destination Passport, which delivers one recipe kit with
a coordinated cooking or serving tool every month; pre-paid Passports
are available in three-, six- and 12-month
plans. Corporate gifts,
which can be customized, are also available.
Does Destination Dinners welcome recipe ideas?
Suggestions for a dinner from a specific destination
may be sent to destinations@destinationdinners.com. Suggestions
for a family recipe may be sent to recipes@destinationdinners.com.
Cultural information and photographs are welcome, too.
For prices, ordering and other information, visit www.destinationdinners.com.
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