Matt Dickhaus learned at a young age that food is not just a substance that satisfies hunger; it is a flavorful liaison that brings people together.As owner of Chef Ami, Dickhaus understands the value of a home-cooked meal but knows that it is often difficult for busy individuals to find the time, creativity and ingredients to prepare meals themselves.
Seeking to make the time spent in the kitchen and at the dinner table more enjoyable for Gainesville families, Dickhaus and his wife, Johana, founded Chef Ami.
“My wife and I were struggling to be able to cook dinner for two people without having leftovers and wasting a lot of food,” Dickhaus said. “It was always a hassle to find new recipes without spending a lot of money on new ingredients we would never use again.”
Their solution: a company that delivers fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and recipes to your door each week.
Taking inspiration from their travels, the Dickhauses spend hours researching and developing recipes with their friend and master French chef, Michel Maloiseau. Together, they make sure all recipes are delectable, nutritious, easy to make, and will only take about 30 minutes to prep and cook.
Each week, they create a unique, three-meal menu using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
“We try to include a lot of ingredients from local, organic farmers,” Dickhaus said. “Much of what they grow is difficult for people to use because they aren’t familiar with it. We try to bridge that gap by introducing people to these ingredients and by showing them what they can do with them.”
Chef Ami provides everything but salt, pepper and olive oil. Customers receive refrigerated packages containing easy-tofollow instructions and all the ingredients needed to assemble the meals.
The tedious aspect of cooking has been removed from the equation, leaving Chef Ami customers with meals they can feel proud of.
“It really helps to bring everybody together,” Dickhaus said. “When it’s a cooked meal, not just something you pick up, everybody appreciates it more.” The step-by-step instructions explain even the most basic cooking concepts, making it easy for all members of the family to get involved.
“Chef Ami meals are fun for kids because they are like projects,” Dickhaus said. “Everything comes in a kit, and they really love being able to participate — and it’s easy enough that they can.”
The Dickhauses’ impact on the Gainesville community extends far beyond the dinner table.
After spending almost three years in Colombia and witnessing extreme poverty, Dickhaus has become very conscious of food waste. He believes that having enough food to eat is a basic human right.
By pre-portioning ingredients, Chef Ami reduces the amount of food waste that is normally produced when cooking, Dickhaus said, adding that Chef Ami ingredients will not spoil because customers receive only what they will consume.
In an effort to reduce child hunger in Florida, for every meal that is purchased from Chef Ami, a meal is donated to the Bread of the Mighty food bank.
“I don’t think anyone should go hungry,” Dickhaus said. “I wanted to give back and provide food for those who normally wouldn’t have it not only by reducing food waste but also by donating as much as possible.
The Dickhauses will continue to add to their repertoire of recipes. They strive to create a menu that features all seasonal products and to expand their business so that they can have a presence in every major city in Florida.
For more information on Chef Ami visit www.chefami.com