Suburban business offers dinner solutions
Getting a healthy dinner on the table is a task many suburban families struggle with on a daily basis.
Working parents, after-school activities, sporting events and other classes are just some of activities that bombard busy families. Kelly Donlea experienced the stress of preparing family meals under these circumstances and now runs a business, Organizing Dinner, designed to assist other families overcome the dinnertime obstacle.
"I provide solutions for people to make dinner in their home every day of the year," Donlea said.
The Lake Barrington mom does this through her Web site, published cookbooks, classes and offering home parties.
A big part of Donlea's game plan revolves around knowing what to buy and have in the kitchen. The most common complaint she hears is, "I just don't have the time to go to the store."
"The focus is on what to buy and how to make those ingredients work in your kitchen," she added.
Buying key ingredients, including canned diced tomatoes and chicken broth, are good picks that can be used in many recipes.
The business owner, who holds classes throughout the suburbs, compares the meal preparation process to sports.
"Face it offensively. Like any sport, take time to prepare and get the equipment ready. When you show up in the kitchen, you're ready to play," she said.
The hub of this philosophy revolves around her cookbook, "70 Meals, One Trip To the Store." Selling for $16 on her Web site or Amazon, the book offers recipes that can be made with the basic ingredients found in the home.
"They're easy weeknight dinners that don't sacrifice flavor," she said. Popular recipes in the book include chicken strata, pecan-crusted chicken and Salisbury steak.
She added that the recipes are also affordable. The average cost per serving is 50 cents, said Donlea, a Lombard native.
The philosophy also fosters families eating together.
"Dinner is the only time when a family is all together," Donlea said.
The mother of three children understands busy schedules and suggests a crockpot meal on days when there are baseball games or choir practice.
Donlea conducted two years of research before launching her business two years ago. She found that once people have children, they no longer have two hours a night to grocery shop and prepare dinner.
The newest aspect of the business is Dinner 911, a Web forum that offers answers to pressing cooking questions. Questions may include, "I don't have Worcestershire sauce, what can I substitute?" or "Should I cover this recipe while cooking?"
She says her business is different from meal planning companies. For instance, She holds home parties popular for "girls night out" gatherings, charging $250 for a home party that usually attracts 20 people.
"That's about $10.50 a person and includes dinner," she said.
The entrepreneur is holding a class at Little Traveler in Geneva at 9:30 a.m. on March 17. For more, check out organizingdinner.com.
Kim Mikus welcomes comments at (847) 427-4567 or kmikus@dailyherald.com.