There are times when you just can't manage cooking. And there are times when you can't manage going out to eat either. You could order food from a restaurant but that might take a while to be delivered and it might not be convenient. So what are your options? One is to buy prepared meals at a grocery store or deli. Another option is to hire a personal chef.



The whole personal chef phenomenon took off a few years ago when people realized they could hire someone to cook or minimally prepare meals in their homes. It became so popular there are now several personal chef associations that can help you find or become one. But these services usually demand an ongoing arrangement.



Another trend is buying pre-packaged restaurant style meals and having them delivered to you. While there are places that will ship you meals, there may also be a local provider in your community, especially if you live in big city. This week I had the good fortune to be able to try the offerings of Wally's Food Company and was pleasantly surprised. Wally Cheng, previously an investment banker and a passionate chef who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in London, has just recently launched his business here in San Francisco.



You can browse the menu, place an order, pay and schedule delivery all online. The meals are varied, fresh and handcrafted using the finest quality ingredients designed to please a gourmet palate. Expect to pay what you would in a restaurant, but for now, delivery is free (though there is a minimum order required).



Just like a restaurant menu you choose your own from a selection of soups, starters, entrees, side dishes and desserts. Lee had succulent cracked crab and soba noodles and I enjoyed rich braised short ribs over roasted garlic mashed potatoes spiked with cracked pepper that I must admit rivaled my own. The desserts are a perfect example of how seasonal the food is--such as the molten chocolate cake that comes with a persimmon coulis or a spiced wine poached pear. This is a great option for some special or romantic meals at home or as a gift. Gift certificates are available too. Wally's Food Company is currently serving the following San Francisco zip codes: 94104, 94105, 94109, 94115, 94118, and 94123. Check it out online.