WeekDay Gourmet Offers Ready-To-Cook Meals

SPRING HILL - The owners of WeekDay Gourmet celebrated their ribbon cutting last week amidst a crowd of more than 50 people.

One of the guests, a member of the local chamber of commerce, gave co-owner Kristy Stoker some assurance.

"Put the food in people's mouths and the mouths will go out and market for you," she said.

Stoker and her husband, Scott, were convinced they came across a great franchise. WeekDay Gourmet, they believe, is a viable alternative to working families, single people and seniors.

It provides customers with an alternative way to feed themselves and their families.

Each month, the business offers 16 entrees. Among June's offerings are three-cheese lasagna, artichoke ricotta manicotti and chicken with fire-roasted tomato sauce and buffalo mozzarella. For their gourmet choice, the Stokers are offering pineapple barbeque baby back ribs.

The cost is $20 for a full-sized tray and $11 for a half size. The gourmet choice is $27 and $15, respectively.

There is no minimum - at least for the time being. Any person can come in and take home a small portion of food for a negotiable price, said Kristy Stoker.

"There are easy cooking instructions," she said. "You can throw the pan away when you're done ... or recycle it."

The guest grabs a pan, coat the bottom with cooking spray and then add the ingredients.

The meats are kept in a more secure place below the condiment area. People may add as much cheese, sauce, vegetables or other additives as they wish. The pans are covered and ready to be cooked, refrigerated or frozen.

A full-sized portion can feed a family of four.

"The foot traffic in this plaza has been a blessing," said Stoker.

WeekDay Gourmet is located in the Coastal Way Shopping Center near Circuit City and Belk. The newly built retail chains to the east - Michael's, Old Navy, etc. - also are within walking distance.

Stoker developed her love for cuisine from her parents and grandparents. Her family owned and operated the Raven, an Italian restaurant on Florida Avenue in Tampa.

The mother of four had worked in commercial real estate for most of her professional life before she and her husband - a firefighter - decided to set their sights on a franchise.

They initially looked toward Subway and Quiznos, but instead they opted for newer and lesser-known WeekDay Gourmet. They bought the franchise one year before their soft opening in January. They patiently waited for an ideal location, Stoker said.

The couple had an eye on U.S. 19 near the Target in Spring Hill, but Publix was not keen on having a new dinner store open nearby.

They waited a little longer and settled into the fastest-growing retail center in Hernando County.

The Stokers had doubts about opening during lean economic times.

"We're starting to see more families come in," she said. "People are trying to reduce their grocery bills. I think we're benefiting now."

The general choices include seafood, chicken, pork, beef and vegetable options. There also are several varieties available for the health-conscious customer.

"A lot of people here ask for low sodium," Stoker said. "We have low-sodium foods ... We have to go with what the trends are."

People may order in advance over the phone or Internet. The meals are "assembled" at the store location. All of the cooking must be done at home.

Scott Stoker is a former Spring Hill firefighter who now works for Tampa Fire Rescue. He and his wife live in South Tampa and commute back and forth. They are looking to move to their Weeki Wachee vacation home in the coming years, after their two oldest children - 16-year-old twins - graduate from high school.

Stoker said his anxieties of opening a new business went away soon after he noticed the reactions from his customers.

"We did wonder, 'Is the business there?'" he recalled. "But people come in and they're tickled to death."

Biz at a glance:

Name of biz - WeekDay Gourmet

Owners - Scott and Kristy Stoker

What it is - Commercial kitchen for preparing meals

Where it is - 13159 Cortez Blvd.

Get in touch - 352-678-3042

On the Web - www.weekdaygourmet.com