On-demand meal prep company Rotten Tomato Meal Co. set to open
PITTSTON — For three Greater Pittston-area entrepreneurs, the idea for their newest business began with baseball, friendship and a familiar question heard in households everywhere, “What’s for dinner?”
That question helped inspire Rotten Tomato Meal Co., a new on-demand meal preparation business ready to open its doors in the City of Pittston located at 24 St. Main St.
The business is the creation of husband and wife Dave and Kristen Favata and new partner Michael Langdon who have a combined 100-years of experience in food, business and the local community to create what they describe as an alternative to traditional takeout and meal-delivery services.
The idea began about a year ago when the Favatas and Langdon started talking about old-fashioned neighborhood delis — a place where people could stop, pick up a homemade meal and be on their way.
“We’re sports parents,” Langdon explained. “There were just so many times where we would get home so late, and it’s like, ‘What’s for dinner?’”
The concept evolved into something more contemporary — an on-demand meal prep company where customers can go online, choose from prepared meals and either pick them up or have them delivered.
Many meal-preparation services require customers to order hours or days in advance. Rotten Tomato Meal Co. is designed for people who want a home-style meal now.
“Do you know what you want to eat next Thursday?” Dave joked. “I don’t even know where I’ll be next Thursday. When we’re hungry, we want to eat now.”
Customers will be able to visit the company’s website, select their meals, choose pickup or delivery and place an order. Cold meals will be prepared and packaged so customers can take them home and heat them when they’re ready to eat.
The company plans to offer delivery within roughly a 12-mile radius, reaching communities from Old Forge and Moosic to Wilkes-Barre.
The trio envisioned Rotten Tomato Meal Co. as more than simply another place to grab dinner.
“We’re going to try to be community-based and support the community as much as we can,” they all agreed.
Part of that philosophy will include showcasing products from other small, local food businesses.
For the upcoming Pittston Tomato Festival, for example, Rotten Tomato Meal Co. plans to feature products from Twisted Sourdough Co., a husband-and-wife operation from the Back Mountain known for its sourdough breads and cinnamon buns.
The Favatas and Langdon also hope the business will become a launching point for other local collaborations, pop-ups and special events.
“We can take this anywhere we want,” Dave said.
Dave’s culinary background stretches back more than three decades owning and operating several local eating establishments. His wife Kristen has also been involved in the food industry for over 20-years. An entrepreneur herself, she’s owned consignment shops in Greater Pittston as well as a cleaning service.
Langdon, a graduate of the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts, has worked as an executive chef leading kitchens at Glenmaura National Golf Club, Huntsville Golf Club, Meal Prep Grind and was the opening chef at Altar House in Clarks Summit.
He also spent time in Philadelphia and other areas working alongside accomplished chefs. And local residents may recognize him from television.
If his name sounds familiar, you may remember him as a contestant on Season 11 of Hell’s Kitchen with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, finishing in the Top 10 against over 25 fellow contestants.
Being subjected to Ramsay’s famously intense criticism was not exactly a new experience.
“Honestly, I’ve worked for chefs throughout my career down in Philadelphia and other places that were exactly like that, if not worse,” he said.
For Langdon, cooking has always been about more than competition.
A major part of Langdon’s philosophy is creating food from scratch, using whole ingredients and encouraging healthier eating habits.
That philosophy is reflected in Rotten Tomato Meal Co.’s menu.
If you are looking for fried foods, think again, Rotten Tomato does not have a deep fryer, and Langdon said they intend to avoid seed oils and rely heavily on whole and minimally processed foods.
That doesn’t mean customers will have to give up comfort food.
One of the planned staple meals is meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
The menu is expected to change regularly, with seasonal selections and special features added throughout the year.
The owners are also working with a pastry chef who has formal training in pastry arts, opening the door to desserts and specialty-baked goods. In fact, Rotten Tomato will have as many as 12 food preparers on staff.
Dietary needs are another consideration, with the business planning to accommodate customers with food allergies and other dietary restrictions.
“We want to take a much healthier approach,” Langdon said. “We want to use whole foods, raw foods and our creativity.”
At the same time, they want the meals to remain affordable and accessible to as many people as possible.
“We think that everybody should be able to eat healthy,” the trio agreed.
The Favatas and Langdon have ambitious plans for the business beyond its initial location.
They envision possible pop-up locations, including temporary holiday locations in shopping centers, expanded delivery and eventually catering.
In a never seen move, a small TV studio is planned for the kitchen area where customers can watch the chef prepare food through live Facebook videos to be posted throughout the day
The videos could showcase a new meal being prepared, with customers able to order the featured dish for pickup or delivery.
The idea is to give customers a look at what goes into their meals.
According to Kristen Favata, Rotten Tomato Meal Co. also is exploring subscription-based meal options.
Business hours will be Tuesday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday and Monday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be no traditional telephone ordering. Customers will be able to order online by going to rottentomatopittston.com or walk-in ordering.
The three owners are targeting an opening during the Pittston Tomato Festival this week starting on Aug. 20, with a limited menu planned for the festival and special hot food options available for festival-goers.