How Do My Meals Arrive Frozen?

How the Process Works

Every dish starts as a chef-prepared recipe, cooked, then flash-frozen almost immediately to lock in freshness. From there, your order is packed in an insulated box with dry ice, which keeps meals solidly frozen for the trip to your door, not just chilled.

Flash-freezing matters because of how fast it happens. Standard slow freezing forms larger ice crystals that break down texture and leach flavor and nutrients as a meal thaws. Flash-freezing forms much smaller crystals, so the chef-curated flavor and nutrient density of the dish stay closer to how it tasted the day it was cooked, rather than degrading in the freezer.

When Your Order Arrives

Standard delivery across Ontario runs on Tuesdays. Around a statutory holiday, certain postal codes may shift to a Wednesday delivery instead, so check your confirmation email for the exact date if you're ordering near a long weekend.

If you're in the GTA and need your order sooner, next business day delivery is available, useful if you're placing a one-off order and don't want to wait for the next Tuesday run.

Prefer to Skip Delivery?

You can pick up your order directly from our facility in Etobicoke instead of having it delivered, handy if you're nearby or want your meals the moment they're ready.

Handling Dry Ice Safely

Dry ice is what keeps your order frozen, so a couple of quick precautions when you unpack:

• Don't touch it with bare hands. It's cold enough to cause frostbite-like burns.
• Unpack in a ventilated space. Let any remaining dry ice sublimate rather than sealing it in a closed container.
• Move meals to your freezer as soon as you unpack. Don't leave them sitting out unnecessarily.

The Short Version

Meals are flash-frozen after cooking and shipped in an insulated box with dry ice. Ontario-wide delivery runs Tuesdays, shifting to Wednesday for some postal codes around statutory holidays. GTA customers can get next business day delivery, or pick up directly from our Etobicoke facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be home to receive my delivery?

Not necessarily. Meals arrive frozen and insulated with dry ice, so they can stay frozen for a period after arrival even if you're not home right away. Bring them inside and place them in the freezer as soon as you can.

Can I pick up my order instead of having it delivered?

Yes. Pickup is available directly from SPATULA's facility in Etobicoke.

How fast can I get my order in the GTA?

Next-business-day delivery is available within the GTA, in addition to the standard Tuesday delivery schedule.

Does flash-freezing affect the taste or nutrition of the meal?

No. Flash-freezing helps preserve the meal by forming smaller ice crystals than standard freezing, helping maintain its original texture, flavor, and nutrient content.

Will my meals still be frozen if my delivery is delayed?

The insulated box and dry ice are designed to maintain the appropriate temperature beyond the scheduled delivery window. If your delivery is significantly delayed or your meals arrive thawed, contact SPATULA and we'll make it right.

Does the delivery day change around holidays?

Yes. Around a statutory holiday, some postal codes may shift from Tuesday to Wednesday delivery. Check your confirmation email for your specific delivery date.