Are you like me?  Do you need to eat food to stay alive?  

Food is an essential element, so why do I neglect the quality of my meals?  Well, thanks to my newly found best-friend-as-a-service Galley, I don’t have to.

Galley is a DC startup: creating, dishing up and delivering original and delicious meals since January.  The feeling that comes from just one order is pretty amazing: you have the satisfaction of devouring a meal you cooked yourself, without any of the labor, time, or most of all, cleanup.

Here’s how it works:

• Go to Galley’s website and set up an account.  (think of it as Uber for your dinner, but not evil)
• Choose the dish you want.  Most dishes are between $12-14.
• Accept your dinner from your Galley server, who sends an “on the way” text and arrives within a window of your choosing.
  Readers, after lowering my standards for deliveries way, way lower than I’d like, I was so pleased with the stellar communication I received from my Galley server.  When I couldn’t be home to pick up my delivery on time, the server left the bag just where I asked.  
• Heat and plate your food according to directions on the packaging.
  Fun Fact: all Galley packaging is biodegradable and compostable.
  Second Fun Fact: directions include “for me” and “to impress.”  If you want to create a “home-cooked” meal without the stress or clean-up, this company is for you.  
• Enjoy!
  My meal was fantastic!  The butternut ravioli with harvest vegetables (pictured) was just the right size, taste, texture, on and on.  

Did I mention no clean up?

The company itself is very impressive.  All their staff, working from a commercial kitchen in Ivy City, office in Penn Quarter, or as drivers, receive benefits, even at part time.  Ideas for meals come from the staff, who hail from a variety of cultures and backgrounds, as well as customers.

And, since DC just loves Halloween, Galley will be including either a surprise trick or treat with every order Thursday and Friday.  So treat yourself, DC.  It’s your health, time, and taste buds on the line.