Chefs Plate Review 2023: Best Choice For Canadians?

Overview

Chefs Plate aims to put Canadians back in the kitchen. It delivers meal kits to most provinces so you can prepare healthy, seasonal, and tasty recipes without the worry of finding food inspiration, meal planning, and grocery shopping.

Chefs Plate ships all the ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes right to your door. I love the range of meals it offers and its commitment to sourcing ingredients from local and national farmers to support the Canadian economy. In fact, Chefs Plate has been owned by HelloFresh since 2018 so you know you can expect the same quality service at a more affordable cost.

I don’t recommend Chefs Plate if you have allergies or dietary restrictions. All recipes are clearly labeled with allergens so you can avoid or switch ingredients if you want to but cross-contamination is possible. For a broader menu that caters to a range of diets, I’d try HelloFresh instead.

Families will love getting together to create Chefs Plate’s recipes. Any additional ingredients are listed, with all the equipment you need to get cooking. And with a plan especially for Family Friendly recipes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t worry if you aren’t an expert, you’re bound to improve your cooking skills.

What’s on the Chefs Plate Menu

Chefs Plate has a simple menu of 24 recipes each week. If, like me, you suffer from food overwhelm and simply can’t decide when there’s too much choice, a more limited number of meals is perfect.

Most recipes take around 30 minutes to create. The recipe cards don’t feature any difficulty ratings, so novice chefs will need to read through all the steps first. Don’t worry too much though as the instructions are easy to follow and dishes have a maximum of 6 steps to prepare.

On the menu, you’re likely to find a selection of around 4 vegetarian recipes along with regular meat-based dishes and 6 spicy options. The menu is definitely best suited to those who don’t have strict dietary preferences.

Meal Options

There are 3 plans to choose from:

• Meat & Veggies

• Vegetarian

• Family Friendly

If you want the most choice, select the Meat & Veggies plan. But don’t worry, you’ll have access to the complete menu whatever plan you choose as they function more as preferences with the most suitable meals appearing first. You can see 3 weeks’ worth of menus, and if you forget to edit your meals 1 week, Chefs Plate automatically selects recipes for you.

Having a Family Friendly plan is great, especially for busy weeknights. You don’t have to worry anymore about answering the dreaded “what’s for dinner?” or try to drag out a meal suggestion from the kids. It’s all sorted for you instead.

I don’t recommend Chefs Plate for vegans or if you’re looking for plant-based recipes. Although the Veggie recipes can be adapted to suit vegans, the majority of these recipes contain dairy products like cheese and cream.

The cuisines range from traditional American fare to Mediterranean and Asian-inspired. Think burgers, pasta-based meals, and rice bowls. Some of the dishes are labeled as 15-minute meals, so you can have a fresh meal in less time.

There are special meal kits suitable for air-frying. This is something I’ve not seen before, and it's good to see Chefs Plate jumping on the trend. You can expect to find 1 of these dishes on the menu each week.

You can also choose from a small range of add-ons each week. There are around 12 on the menu each week including proteins, desserts, and sides like garlic bread. These are useful for creating a more satisfying meal.

Customization

The FAQ states that meal customization is available, but I couldn’t find meals with this option. I contacted customer services and was told that this option isn’t something Chefs Plate offers any more and the FAQ needs updating.

You can customize what type of meals you receive by picking 1 of the 3 plans. Aside from that, you can edit your preferences in the Taste Profile in your account, or manually deselect certain recipes from the upcoming menu.

Those with allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients have 2 choices. You can read the ingredients list and avoid any recipes that include specific allergens. Or you can check what ingredients you could swap out to adapt the meal to suit. For example, you could switch the panko breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs in the Buffalo Ranch Chicken recipe.

I struggled to find many recipes that were under 700 calories. You’ll need to check individual recipes if you’re following a low calorie diet. Chefs Plate doesn't have a weight-loss plan, but its meals are pre-portioned, so there’s no risk of eating more than the recommended serving size. Try HelloFresh’s Calorie Smart Plan if you don’t want the hassle of checking each dish.

Unboxing

Chefs Plate’s deliveries arrive in a 100% recyclable cardboard box. This can be easily disposed of in your curbside collection. This goes for any paper packaging your meal is packed in. Simply add it along with your household recycling.

Each meal’s ingredients are conveniently packaged together in separate bags. This means you don’t have to spend any time figuring out which ingredient goes with which recipe. The bags are labeled on the front, so it’s easy to grab the bag you want straight from the fridge.

Your ingredients are stored in kit bags and the cool pouch keeps everything fresh. Whilst these look like they’re made of plastic, they’re completely compostable. This is great news as you can just throw them in the green bin. Always check your municipality’s composting regulations first.

Opening your box is super exciting, but don’t forget to pop everything in the fridge. This keeps all your ingredients nice and fresh until you’re ready to get on with the cooking. Your meals stay fresh in the fridge for a full 7 days until your next delivery arrives, but make sure you check the “Enjoy By” date printed on each of the meal sleeves.

Cooking with Chefs Plate

As all recipes are meal kits, they involve preparation time, cooking time, and cleaning up. And don’t forget the best part – eating, of course!

Your cooking experience with Chefs Plate depends on the type of meal you’ve chosen. Most meal kits take around 30 minutes to create. And I’ve not found a recipe that takes more than 6 steps to make.

The 15-minute meals include pre-chopped veggies and pre-made sauces. This makes them much quicker to prepare. That means your family can eat before they start complaining too much about being hungry.

Any additional ingredients and equipment is listed on the recipe card. So it’s easy to grab everything you need before you get started. Some of the extra things you might need include store-cupboard essentials like seasoning, oil, and flour.

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

Here are some of the most delicious looking meals on the menu:

Mediterranean-Inspired Feta and Chickpea Bowls: This veggie recipe is colorful and looks full of textures with crispy chickpeas and ripe tomatoes. It’s served with bulgur salad, which is full of fiber and makes a nice change from rice.

Sheet Pan Salmon and Lemon Orzo: This is a 15-minute recipe, so a great option for a hectic midweek meal. It’s served with broiled zucchini and a dill-garlic sauce which makes for a fresh and zesty combination.

Lightened-Up Salsa Turkey Burgers: If you can’t resist a burger, this recipe is sure to be a winner. Served with roasted potato bites, it’s a fresh take on a traditional beef burger and I love the idea of topping it with fresh salsa.

Prices

Servings start at $8.79 per person, but add-ons and some dishes will cost you more. You pay a surcharge for premium and 15-minute prep meals. The premium dishes contain higher-cost ingredients and the 15-minute meals include pre-made sauces and pre-chopped veggies. Shipping is a small cost added to your order and ranges from $2.99 to $5.99.

Shipping & Delivery

Chefs Plate delivers to most of Canada. Unfortunately, orders can’t be shipped to the Northwest Territories and Yukon. Chefs Plate recommends you check your delivery postal code to make sure you can order to your location.

Your box will be delivered on your chosen delivery day between 8 am and 8 pm. Delivery days are Monday to Thursday and weekends, but this varies depending on your location. When your food is on its way, you receive an email to let you know. If you need an update, you can contact the customer care team for more details.

Don’t worry if you aren’t at home when your delivery arrives. Your food will remain fresh and ready to cook when you get home from work. If you’re concerned, it’s easy to update your delivery address on your account and get it sent to work or a friend’s house instead.

To reschedule your delivery, you can choose an alternative date. Simply choose an available date in the “Delivers On” section of your account.

The Chefs Plate app is available on iOS and Android. However, most reviews aren’t very positive so if you do need to make changes to your delivery date, I recommend logging into the website instead.

How Chefs Plate Works

Chefs Plate is a flexible meal delivery subscription service. Once you’ve placed your first order, it’ll be automatically repeated every week.

Don’t worry if you chose a veggie plan but want to order a meat dish. Whatever plan you choose, you can still access the full menu and make selections from it.

How to Sign Up

1. Choose your plan

2. Select your box size

3. Enter your email and password to register your account

4. Provide your shipping details

5. Select a delivery day from the options provided.

6. Fill in your payment information

7. Choose your meals and/or add-ons

Managing Your Subscription

You can log in to your Chefs Plate account on the Chefs Plate website. Here you can easily make changes on your account page. This is where you can pause, skip, or cancel your order. Deliveries can be skipped up to 6 weeks in advance.

If you want to make changes to an upcoming order, you must do it before the weekly deadline. This is at 11:59 PM PST 4 days before your next delivery date.

Customer Service

Chefs Plate has a list of FAQs on the website, but I didn’t think they were as in-depth as other meal delivery services. I clicked on the Contact Us link under the FAQs for more information about customization.

A chat box appears on screen showing 3 options: report an ingredient or recipe card, billing and payments, and my subscription. I typed “customization” and was asked if I wanted to contact customer services by chat or phone. After typing my email a representative responded after a few minutes and told me what I needed to know.

If you prefer not to use the Live Chat option, you can call instead. This is helpful if you prefer to speak to someone or if your query is more specific. You can reach a customer care agent at 1-833-608-0883. I’m happy that the phone lines and Live Chat are available 24/7 to help with any queries.

If you want to cancel your plan, you need to do this on the website. Canceling Chefs Plate is easy – just click on Deactivate my Plan in your settings menu then scroll down to Cancel Anyway. After you tell them why you're canceling, make sure you click Deactivate Now to fully cancel.

How Chefs Plate Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

Chefs Plate vs. HelloFresh: HelloFresh also delivers to 95% of Canada. Chefs Plate is cheaper than HelloFresh, but if you need a specialist diet, such as low calorie, low carb, or high protein, I recommend HelloFresh. There’s also slightly more choice with 35+ recipes to choose from compared to Chefs Plates 24 recipes.

You can only view menus 3 weeks in advance on the Chefs Plate menu. With HelloFresh you can see 6 weeks ahead. This can make meal planning easier as you can make changes to your menu in advance.

It’s worth remembering that HelloFresh Canada doesn’t offer any add-ons, so you may be tempted by the desserts and sides on the Chefs Plate menu.

The Bottom Line: Is Chefs Plate Worth It?

Chefs Plate is definitely worth considering if you want fresh, comforting recipes. It's a great option for those who are looking for a more affordable alternative to HelloFresh, and the best part is that they deliver fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes straight to your door.

If you're following a standard diet, Chefs Plate is a fantastic choice. That being said, if you have any special dietary needs or food restrictions, I would suggest checking out HelloFresh instead. They offer a wider range of customizable options, which would be better suited to your specific needs.

FAQ

Is Chefs Plate owned by HelloFresh?

Chefs Plate has been the Canadian division of HelloFresh since 2018. Compared with HelloFresh, Chefs Plate offers a similar range of budget-friendly dishes that are definite crowd-pleasers.

Are Chefs Plate meals healthy?

They are a much more healthy option than takeout or fast food and can help you eat more consciously. Chefs Plate recipes use fresh, seasonal ingredients that are pre-portioned. This helps you stick to portion sizes and resist cravings as Chefs Plate recipes are comforting and filled with flavor.

How much does Chefs Plate cost?

Chefs Plate is generally considered a more budget-friendly option compared to other meal delivery services like HelloFresh. Prices start at $8.79 but the cost of Chefs Plate varies depending on the meal plan and the number of servings selected.

Are there any discounts available for new customers?

Yes, Chefs Plate offers discounts for new customers, including senior and student discounts. It also frequently has promotions and discount codes available, so it's worth checking its website or signing up for its email list to stay updated on any current offers. Use our coupon code to make a saving: Enjoy a total of $200 OFF throughout your first 3 boxes!.

Can I customize my meals or choose specific dietary restrictions?

Chefs Plate doesn’t offer specific dietary plans or customization options for its meals. You can make modifications or substitutions at home if needed, depending on your dietary restrictions or preferences. Chefs Plate does provide ingredient lists and nutritional information for each meal, so you can easily determine if a particular meal is suitable for your needs.