YC-Backed Taste: Fine Dining at Home

Taste: Bringing Fine Dining Home

Jeff Chen describes his new venture, Taste, as “the Instagram of nice food.”

Essentially, Taste aims to democratize high-quality meal preparation. Much like Instagram empowered everyday users to create visually appealing photographs, Taste enables customers to easily enjoy restaurant-caliber meals in their own kitchens.

A Unique Approach to Meal Kits

Taste collaborates with highly-rated restaurants – currently including 16 Michelin-starred and Michelin-recognized establishments – whose cuisine doesn't lend itself well to traditional delivery or takeout services.

The platform offers “dinner kits” that represent a novel concept. These kits are distinct from standard takeout, where food is fully prepared but may suffer during transport, and conventional meal kits, which require extensive preparation from raw ingredients.

Chen positions Taste’s offerings as an intermediate solution. The food is largely pre-prepared, allowing for quick heating and simple assembly by the customer.

A Hands-On Experience

During a recent trial, a three-course meal from Intersect by Lexus and The Grey was experienced. Certain courses and sides required minimal heating – ranging from five to twenty minutes – but no significant cooking or preparation was needed.

The cleanup process, however, was more involved.

The packaging itself was noteworthy, featuring a substantial, elegant box for each kit, with individual packaging for each course and a separate container for seasonings.

Optional wine pairings are available, and some restaurants even provide plating suggestions and curated Spotify playlists to enhance the dining experience.

Availability and Cost

Taste, a participant in the winter 2021 Y Combinator program, is presently available exclusively in New York City.

The service partners with restaurants such as Dirt Candy, Meadowsweet, and the Musket Room.

Pricing reflects the premium nature of the offering. Most kits range from $60 to $100 per person, though more affordable options under $40 and a la carte selections are also available.

Chen, previously the founder of Joyride (acquired by Google), expressed his enthusiasm for assisting New York City chefs in adapting their menus for delivery and navigating the challenges of the pandemic.

Operational Efficiency

“A crucial aspect of our service is pre-ordering and batching for restaurants,” Chen explained.

“Restaurants receive all orders two days in advance, and we schedule pickups at designated times, significantly improving their capacity management.”

Beyond the Pandemic

While the current climate may amplify the appeal of Taste, Chen anticipates sustained demand even after the pandemic subsides.

He suggests that even before COVID-19, many individuals – such as busy professionals or parents – lacked the time to fully utilize fine dining establishments.

“There’s a broader trend of shifting experiences into the home,” he stated. “Netflix has transformed movie viewing, Peloton and Tonal have revolutionized workouts, and now we’re bringing elevated dining experiences directly to consumers.”