Dinner in a Pinch: Woodbridge Natives Open Meal Planning Business

Between soccer, ballet, homework and late nights at the office, are you too busy to cook? A local business has you covered.

Chefologie Culinary Creations is a company that offers meal planning and catering. They specialize in creating meals plans for busy families, couples and individuals who often do not have time to cook.

Started in July 2013, the business moved into its storefront location at 450 Rahway Ave. just three weeks ago. Since then, they've prepared meals for hundreds of hungry clients, expanded their operation to offer lunch meals and have discussed plans to open more locations in the next few years.

Michael Coppola, who runs the business with his wife, Sharon, said the move was made after leaving corporate jobs a few years back. The couple has a preteen daughter, and understand just how busy weeknights can get, he said.

Having been around cooking his whole life, Coppola said the business idea seemed like a good fit. After surveying local families and looking to see what other meal preparation services offered, something became very clear.

"It all came down to dinner (being) the biggest challenge of the day," he said.

Customers can choose from four meal plans: family, individual, couples and weekend express, according to the company. After picking what plan is right for them, they can have meals prepared for three, five or seven days.

Dishes like sea bass with an orange chili basil glaze, turkey enchiladas, crab cakes, roast beef and honey glazed chicken wings are all made in-house with fresh, healthy ingredients.

On the days that meals are prepared, groceries are purchased the morning of and brought to the kitchen to be cooked by the Chefologie team, including chef Andrea Steinberg, another lifelong Woodbridge resident.

Once prepared, the meals are stored for pickup, but not frozen, Coppola said.

"Every piece of food is done in house," he said.

Chefologie is upfront about what they offer, but they're also flexible.

Food allergies, aversions, preferences or just plain picky eaters are no problem, Coppola said.

Meals are picked up at the store, but customers who may be elderly, ailing or otherwise physically unable to get there can also discuss the possibility of delivery, he said.

"We'll get the food to you," he said.

Many customers are families who are busy with clubs, sports and other weekday events, so much so that a recent cluster of orders on the same days led Coppola to figure out what sports team the families must all be involved with.

In recognition of the prevalence of those activities in the lives of their customers, Chefologie offers fundraising for local nonprofits, such as religious groups, PTOs and sports teams.

If an organization partners with the business, Chefologie can arrange an event in which 10 percent of proceeds will be donated to that group.

"It's a great way to give back to the community," Coppola said.

For more information on Chefologie Culinary Creations, visit www.chefologie.com, or call (732) 634-0621.