Imagine having access to every dish in the sumptuous spread seen directly above–without ever having to purchase the ingredients, prepare them properly, and marshall all of the culinary skills necesssary to create a meal that tastes as good as all of that looks. No need to imagine, now that Feast & Fettle is a reality for residents of Chelsea. The New England-based meal service, they note, “delivers fully-prepared, ready-to-heat meals, made from scratch in their own kitchen and delivered by a dedicated in-house team.” We recently quizzed CEO Carlos Ventura to find out what makes their menu–and business model–so appetizing.

Scott Stiffler, for Chelsea Community New (CCNews): Welcome to the neighborhood. Are you announcing your arrival in Chelsea by offering any discounts or special services for first-time customers?

Feast & Fettle CEO Carlos Ventura (Ventura):  Yes! New members in Chelsea can join here and save 20% off their first order and get free delivery through the end of the year.

CCNews: Prominent on the home page of your website is the phrase, “Delivered, not shipped.” What’s the difference, and when I order for delivery to my Chelsea apartment, where’s it coming from?

Ventura: When you order from Feast & Fettle, your meals aren’t traveling in a cardboard box from a warehouse on the other side of the country. They’re prepared fresh in our kitchen by our culinary team, then brought directly to your door in our own refrigerated vans. We hand-deliver the meals ourselves by our team of F&F drivers. No long-haul shipping, no mystery about how long it’s been in transit in the back of a FedEx truck.

CCNews: Avocado oil is your go-to choice for cooking–you call it “the superior choice” for flavor. What qualities is it delivering that other oils are not? Am I going to notice a difference in how the meal tastes?

Ventura: We choose avocado oil because it’s both a healthier and tastier cooking fat. It has a high smoke point, which means flavors stay clean and ingredients cook the way they’re supposed to (never scorched or bitter). It’s rich in heart-healthy fats, and it has a subtle, buttery flavor that enhances rather than masks the food. Will you notice? Absolutely! your roasted vegetables will taste brighter, proteins juicier, and sauces silkier.

CCNews: “Every meal we create is made fresh to order,” you say. Upon delivery, should the meals be frozen or do they go into the fridge–and how are they being heated up? Do storage and preparation have an impact on taste?

Ventura: Your meals arrive chilled, never frozen. They go straight into your fridge and stay fresh for several days. Each dish comes with simple heating instructions, usually just a quick warm-up in the oven or stovetop. Because we never freeze, you’ll taste the difference: vegetables stay crisp-tender, proteins remain juicy, and sauces keep their full depth of flavor.

CCNews: Many of the menu items are classics we’d expect–but with notable variations, most of which I’ve never had before. I’m going to name a few of those choices, and you tell me how an unusual ingredient or preparation method delivers a new experience…

Parmesan Chicken Meatballs with Marinara: We use freshly grated Parmesan in the mix, which adds a rich, nutty undertone and keeps the meatballs moist. The marinara is slow-simmered from scratch for a fresh, bright finish. We make our sauces!

Grilled Flank Steak with Blue Cheese Butter: The tangy, creamy butter melts over the warm steak, creating a luxurious sauce in every bite without overpowering the beef’s natural flavor.

Peach Cobbler Overnight Oats: Juicy seasonal peaches and a hint of cinnamon turn this into a nostalgic dessert-for-breakfast experience, only lighter and more nourishing.

Pistachio-Crusted Cod: The pistachios give a delicate crunch and a sweet, earthy note that pairs beautifully with the cod’s mild, buttery flesh.

CCNews: I see a lot of items on the Kids Menu stay pretty close to their classic interpretation (Spaghetti & Meatballs; Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce). Is that the result of demands from test groups? What sort of vetting process did everything (entrees, sides, summer favorites) go through before earning its place on the menu?

Ventura: Yes, that’s intentional. Parents tell us they need reliable, familiar options for their kids, so we keep those close to the original, then ensure they’re made with the same fresh, high-quality ingredients as the adult menu. Everything on our menu, kids’ or otherwise, goes through tasting panels and rounds of refinement. We don’t add a dish unless we’re confident it’ll be ordered—and re-ordered.

CCNews: Why is Chelsea being added as one of the neighborhood delivery destinations? Are the menu items or services different in any way because of what you learned about the neighborhood before arriving? And what exactly did you learn?

Ventura: Chelsea has an incredible mix of busy professionals, families, and food lovers who value quality but don’t always have time to cook. Our research showed a demand for fresh meals without the compromises of shipping or mass production in a factory. Chelsea also has a vibrant appreciation for variety, so while the core menu remains the same, we’ll pay close attention to local favorites as we learn more from our members there.

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