| The only thing better than gourmet cuisine in | | | | backed inside a second corrugated box for |
| a restaurant is the same meal delivered to | | | | mailing. The amount of dry ice needed is |
| your home. Yes, you can have your meal and it | | | | carefully measured to insure that enough is |
| too. | | | | included to see the product safely frozen to |
| | | | the doorstep of the purchaser. The foods are |
| There are two basic types of gourmet cuisine | | | | simply removed from the containers and the |
| delivery methods. Some are local services. | | | | instructions followed for the thawing, |
| These are mostly located in larger | | | | heating, or further cooking of the food. |
| metropolitan areas and make local deliveries | | | | |
| in person. The other type offers nationwide | | | | The national gourmet delivery services are |
| service. The products are delivered by mail. | | | | usually very good about accepting |
| Obviously, the expense and operating | | | | responsibility for damage during shipping or |
| procedures of the two types are different. | | | | any other mistake for which they are to |
| Furthermore, the types of foods available | | | | blame. Refunds can be given with no problem. |
| vary considerably from company to company. | | | | However, you should be aware that most will |
| This is because the definition of gourmet | | | | not consider a refund because the food was |
| food varies considerably as well. Some of the | | | | not what was expected or that the consumer |
| delivery services focus on foods that are | | | | simply did not like the meal. It is advisable |
| more geared toward healthy living. Although | | | | to insure that the meal you select is what |
| gourmet food does not have to be bad for you, | | | | you want and that you are reasonably sure it |
| healthy nutrition values have never been | | | | is going to satisfy your discriminating |
| considered a prerequisite for a food being | | | | palate. The companies have customer service |
| considered gourmet food. | | | | departments to insure that you understand |
| | | | just what you are getting. If not, be sure to |
| As it has in virtually every industry, the | | | | ask further questions. |
| internet has had a major impact on the growth | | | | |
| and popularity of gourmet food delivery | | | | Either by local delivery or national |
| services. The idea behind them is to make | | | | delivery, the gourmet food delivery services |
| gourmet food available to us without even | | | | can provide an opportunity to taste and enjoy |
| having to leave our homes. The internet has | | | | gourmet foods that may not be available in |
| helped this process by being able to display | | | | your local area. In many case, even if it is |
| pictures of the food as well as prices making | | | | possible to find such treats locally, the |
| online ordering easy and quick. The foods are | | | | other advantage is that you do not have to |
| usually prepared to some degree and arrive | | | | leave your home and go to a restaurant. |
| with specific instructions to complete the | | | | Although the shipping and delivery costs make |
| preparation. | | | | the food a bit expensive, it is still often a |
| | | | bargain when the extras of a night out are |
| The national mail services will often pack | | | | considered such as gas prices and tips at the |
| the foods in Styrofoam containers and pack | | | | restaurant. |
| them in dry ice. The whole package is then | | | | |