HelloFresh and Chefs Plate are two of the biggest meal kit delivery companies in Canada.
As someone who values both the quality and the process of meal preparation, my goal was to uncover which service provides better convenience, variety, and sheer pleasure of cooking. I was curious to understand how each kit could fit into the diverse lifestyles and dietary preferences of modern-day consumers.
In this review, we’ll delve into the variety each meal kit offers, their commitment to sustainability and the eco-friendliness of their packaging, the ease and speed of preparation, and the cost of each meal kit. These factors were meticulously examined so you know what to expect when you open your door to Chefs Plate or HelloFresh.
Both companies dominate the Canadian market and offer a similar experience but they both have their individual strengths and weaknesses.
Which meal kit delivery service is better?
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In this review, we’ll compare Chefs Plate vs HelloFresh based on a number of factors and go into detail on the bigger elements including:
| HelloFresh | Chefs Plate | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Families looking for lots of variety | People on a budget cooking for one |
| Delivery Areas | Australia, Canada, Europe, United States | Canada |
| Diets | Vegetarian Low Carb Pescatarian | Vegetarian Low Carb |
| Variety of Meals | 40 options each week | 25 options each week |
| Ease | Recipes are very easy to follow. Easy clean-up. One pot. | Recipes are very easy to follow. |
| Cook Times | 20-44 minutes | 15-45 minutes |
| Packaging | Mostly recyclable | Mostly recyclable |
| Number of People | 2 or 4 | 2 or 4 |
| Meals Per Order | 3-5 | 2-5 |
| Price Per Plate | As low as $10 | As low as $8.99 |
| Shipping Costs | $10.99 | $4.99 |
| Introductory Deal | Up to 20 free meals with code HELLO20FMS | 50% off first box |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
1. Variety
Variety in a meal delivery service means a wide selection of meal options to choose from and different dietary preference choices.
Here’s how HelloFresh and Chefs Plate differ in variety:
HelloFresh Variety
HelloFresh offers around 40 different menu items to choose from each week. They also provide the option to add more protein, upgrade the cut of meat, or swap the type of protein used for most menu items. HelloFresh caters to many different dietary preferences including vegetarian, pescetarian, and ketogenic. Their meal filters also include low CO2, spicy, and low-calorie options.
HelloFresh delivers exciting recipe variety each week which spans a delightful range of cuisines and cooking styles. Every week presents unique flavor profiles, ensuring a dynamic selection that keeps the experience fresh. The rotating menu introduces new ingredients and cooking techniques alongside familiar favorites. Whether you’re drawn to classic Italian pastas, crave bold Asian stir-fries, or seek traditional American comfort food, HelloFresh caters to a wide range of culinary preferences, transforming each meal into an opportunity to explore the culinary landscape.
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Chefs Plate Variety
Chefs Plate offers 25 meals to choose from each week. They cater to vegetarian and low-carb diets. Their ‘Balanced’ meals contain at least 20g of protein, less than 15g of saturated fats, and under 100g of carbohydrates. Chefs Plate meals also include BBQ, spicy, and ‘Premium’ recipes that come with higher-quality ingredients than usual.
While Chefs Plate offers a decent variety of 25 recipes each week, I’ve noticed that, over time, they tend to share a similar flavor profile. Compared to my experience with HelloFresh, the rotation of meals at Chefs Plate feels more limited. After subscribing to Chefs Plate for about 8 to 12 months, you may begin to find the options a bit repetitive, and the excitement of trying new dishes each week may lessen. After some time with Chefs Plate, it will become a bit more challenging to find something that feels truly new and different in their lineup.
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Variety & Flexibility Winner: HelloFresh
HelloFresh distinctly stands out for its variety, taking the victory in this category over Chefs Plate. With an impressive selection of around 40 unique menu items each week, HelloFresh not only offers a broader spectrum of choices, but also caters to a wider array of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, pescetarian, and ketogenic options. The ability to customize dishes by adding more protein or altering the type of protein enhances the personalization of meals. Furthermore, the weekly rotation introduces new flavors, ingredients, and cuisines, ensuring that each meal is an opportunity to explore different culinary traditions. This diverse and ever-changing lineup keeps the experience fresh and exciting, a contrast to the more predictable offerings of Chefs Plate, which, while varied, tends to become a bit repetitive over time.
2. Sustainability & Packaging
HelloFresh Sustainability
When my HelloFresh meals arrive, they’re neatly packed in a cardboard box, with each meal conveniently separated into compostable paper bags. Some additional items will be separate (for example meats, cheeses, etc.) and each meal box will come with ice packs to keep the contents fresh and cool. It’s reassuring to know that the packaging is mindful of the environment – the cardboard and ice pack outer layers are recyclable, and even the gel inside the ice packs is non-toxic, compostable, and safe to dispose of down the drain.
Inside the paper bags, the ingredients are wrapped in plastic, which can be recycled, depending on the local recycling rules. Each meal comes with a large recipe card with step-by-step photos and cooking instructions which makes cooking very easy. Recipe cards can feel wasteful but they are also recyclable! Plus, with the option to access recipes via the HelloFresh app, there’s hope for an even greener future.
As for food waste, HelloFresh meal kits do not leave much behind. Occasionally, I might save some vegetable scraps for a broth, but overall, they’re excellent at minimizing waste, which I greatly appreciate.
Chefs Plate Sustainability
My experience with Chefs Plate mirrors that of HelloFresh in terms of their commitment to sustainability. The meals arrive in a cardboard box, accompanied by recyclable ice packs and nestled in compostable paper bags, much like HelloFresh. The box contains ingredient packets, made of recyclable plastic, along with the large paper recipes.
Chefs Plate also offers a digital solution with their app, hinting at a potential move towards even more sustainable practices in the future. Their food waste is pretty much the exact same as HelloFresh so whichever meal delivery kit you choose you can feel confident that you are not being overly wasteful.
Sustainability Winner: Tie
Both HelloFresh and Chefs Plate use the same packaging. Each meal kit will result in the same amount of waste and recyclable and compostable items. This shared commitment to sustainability ensures that, regardless of my choice between the two, I’m making a decision that aligns with my environmental values.
3. Cook Time
The whole idea behind meal kits is to make the cooking experience easier and more enjoyable. This means that meals should be easy to prepare, have a short prep time, are quick to cook, and are easy to clean up.
HelloFresh Cooking Times
HelloFresh meals take between 20 and 45 minutes to cook. They have some really cool cook time filters to help you choose your meals including:
- Quick: Quick meals take 20 or 25 minutes to prepare. For me, these quick meals are a lifesaver on busy weeknights when I barely have time to think, let alone cook.
- One-pot: These meals only require a single pot or pan to create. I love the one-pot option because it simplifies cooking and cleaning, making the whole process feel more manageable and less daunting.
- Easy clean up: Similar to the one-pot meals, these meals leave very little to clean up. The easy cleanup is a game-changer for me; it means I get to spend less time washing dishes and more time relaxing after a delicious meal.
- Prepped in 10: These meals are prepped in only 10 minutes, the rest of the cooking time is spent hands-off cooking. This feature significantly cuts down my time in the kitchen, allowing me to focus more on enjoying the meal than preparing it.
These cook time filters are perfect for those who don’t want to spend much time in the kitchen. For someone like me, who’s always juggling tasks, these features enhance my cooking experience by making it quick, easy, and fuss-free.
Chefs Plate Cooking Times
Chefs Plate meals take between 15 and 45 minutes to make. As someone with a busy schedule, I find this incredibly appealing. The shorter cook times fit seamlessly into my hectic days, allowing me to whip up a meal without it feeling like a time-consuming chore. Whether I have back-to-back meetings or a tight deadline, I know I can rely on Chefs Plate to provide a quick, satisfying dinner option that doesn’t compromise on taste or quality. It’s like having a shortcut to a homemade meal, which is exactly what I need sometimes.
Cooking Experience Winner: HelloFresh
Although Chefs Plate offers lightning-fast 15-minute meals and shorter cook times overall, HelloFresh offers far more options that make meal prep and time in the kitchen easier. The flexibility to choose based on how much time I have or how involved I want to be in the cooking process is invaluable. It’s these thoughtful, time-saving features that make HelloFresh stand out and fit so seamlessly into my life.
4. Cost
HelloFresh Cost
Like many meal kit services I’ve tried, HelloFresh becomes more affordable the more meals I opt for, which is great for someone like me who relies on these kits regularly.
HelloFresh has a $10.99 shipping cost that applies to each order. So, to figure out the real cost per meal, I just divide this shipping fee by the number of meals in my order. This approach helps me gauge the true value of each service, especially when planning meals for my family or considering how often we’ll be turning to HelloFresh during the week.
Cost per serving:
| 3 Meals | 4 Meals | 5 Meals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 People | $12.99 | $12.49 | $12.49 |
| 2 People Including Shipping | $14.82 | $13.86 | $13.59 |
| 4 People | $11.49 | $10.99 | $10.00 |
| 4 People Including Shipping | $12.41 | $11.68 | $10.55 |
With HelloFresh, you are paying just a little bit more for the convenience of not having to go to the grocery store but a little less than you would if you went out to eat.
Chefs Plate Cost
Chefs Plate applies a small $4.99 shipping fee regardless of how many people you are ordering for.
Cost per serving:
| 2 Meals | 3 Meals | 4 Meals | 5 Meals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 People | $11.99 | $9.99 | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| 2 People Including Shipping | $13.99 | $10.82 | $10.61 | $10.49 |
| 4 People | $8.99 | $8.99 | $8.99 | $8.99 |
| 4 People Including Shipping | $9.61 | $9.41 | $9.30 | $9.24 |
This is unlike most meal kit delivery services where the cost goes down when you purchase a higher quantity of food.
Cost Winner: Chefs Plate
Considering that HelloFresh and Chefs Plate portion sizes are about the same, Chefs Plate wins the value section of this comparison. The low cost per serving with lower shipping fees makes Chefs Plate an attractive option for someone who is mindful of their budget but does not want to compromise on the convenience and quality that meal kits offer. It’s this balance of affordability and simplicity in their pricing model that makes Chefs Plate stand out to me.
Is Chefs Plate or HelloFresh better?
From my experience, Chefs Plate and HelloFresh stand neck and neck when it comes to reliability, freshness, and the quality of their ingredients. I’ve used both to serve meals for up to five people, and I’ve appreciated their inclusion of vegetarian and low-carb options, similar portion sizes, and the ease of their online ordering systems.
While Chefs Plate wins on affordability, making it an ideal option for people who are more budget-minded, HelloFresh edges ahead with its diverse menu options, straightforward preparation, and minimal cleanup requirements, enhancing the overall culinary experience.
So the winner of this comparison, by a slim margin: HelloFresh!
Still Have Questions? We Have Answers!
Is HelloFresh the same as Chefs Plate?
They are owned by the same parent company but they are not the same service. Chefs Plate was bought by HelloFresh making them different divisions within the same company that offer slightly different types of dishes and services. Chefs Plate offers recipes that can be created in 15 minutes or less, while HelloFresh offers more recipes on a weekly basis, they take 30 minutes or more to make. If you’re looking for more variety, HelloFresh is likely the best bet. If you’re looking to save time, Chefs Plate is the best option!
Where does HelloFresh come from?
HelloFresh was founded in Berlin, Germany, in 2011 by Dominik Richter, Thomas Griesel and Jessica Nilsson. Their goal is to provide every household with homemade meals that require no shopping or hassle.
Does HelloFresh use organic ingredients?
HelloFresh claims that some but not all of their ingredients are organic. Their primary goal is to make meal kits as affordable as possible and making every ingredient organic would raise their prices.
Where does Chefs Plate come from?
Chefs Plate was founded in Toronto in 2014 by Patrick Meyer and Jamie Shea with the goal of providing farm-to-table ingredients from local and national farmers.
Does Chefs Plate use organic ingredients?
Chefs Plate does not claim to use entirely organic ingredients. However, they get all of their ingredients from local and national farms.
Are Chefs Plate and HelloFresh owned by the same company?
They are! Chefs Plate is a division of HelloFresh in Canada. You will notice similarities between both sites and their ordering process. Both meal kit delivery services are user-friendly and incredibly easy to use with reliable service and tasty meals. There are a few differences including price, dietary restrictions, cook times, how many meals you get to choose from each week, and the number of meals you can select in each order.
Who owns Chefs Plate?
Chefs Plate is owned by HelloFresh SE as of 2018. The CEOs of HelloFresh are Dominik Richter and Thomas Griesel.
Final thoughts
If neither of these meal kit options appeals to you, there are several other comparable meal kits to HelloFresh. But in my opinion, you can’t go wrong with either HelloFresh or Chefs Plate. My best advice is to give both a try and make your own comparison! Both companies offer entry deals so you can get the full experience at a discounted price.
