A welcoming ambiance and a nicely decorated interior, with the smell of fresh-baked apple pie and kielbasa-vegetable-stew, invites customers to come inside and try freshly prepared samples. The Super Suppers in Eugene will already celebrate its 2 1/2 year anniversary this summer.
Krista and Mike Bothman own the location and had the idea to build a branch of the nationwide franchise on Coburg Road.
“We were interested in that concept because there was nothing like this before in Eugene,” Krista Bothman said.
Super Suppers advertises its healthy meals without any preservatives, a favorite meals menu and a menu that changes monthly. The franchise company’s chefs in Texas develop and supply all of the recipes. Customers have the option of buying pre-made frozen meals, ordering meals and either picking them up or having them delivered to their home. Customers can also attend cooking sessions.
“Our customers are mostly working families and students who do not have much time to cook and like to try something new,” Krista Bothman said.
People can either purchase a frozen meal and look up the ingredients on the package or cook it by themselves during a session where they have the recipe and ingredients provided for them by Super Suppers. The neat, furnished, warm and very clean ambience of Super Suppers is inviting for customers during cooking sessions. Each of the seven preparation counters offers plenty of space during the sessions every Friday and Saturday, by appointment.
Mike Bothman has a culinary arts degree and has worked in the food industry as a chef for many years. Before he became involved with Super Suppers he managed the Dairy Queen right next to the building they currently reside in. His wife Krista has a degree in music from the University of Oregon and always had a passion for cooking with an emphasis on healthy nutritious meals.
“All of our children practice year-round sports. That’s why we wanted them to eat well and develop a great appetite for healthy food,” the mother of three said. “When I was a student, there was not much variety of healthy food on campus, but this is an easy way for busy students to eat right, get (meals) home delivered and save time.”
She and her husband changed their careers to reflect the concept of healthy, nutritious meals they already embraced at home and want to offer their customers not only a possibility to buy take-and-bake meals, but also the opportunity to learn how to cook the meals themselves. The meals are not designed with any considerations for special diets, but most meals can be adjusted to fit special dietary needs so the whole family can enjoy them.
The menu offers a variety of meals from homestyle to exotic entrees, side dishes, pizza variations and desserts.
“Our parmesan chicken in creamy sage sauce, juicy Asian flank steak, mashed potato casserole and chocolate paradise pie are the most popular dishes,” Krista Bothman said. The menu offers meals with and without meat, but nothing vegan yet.
“Sometimes young men get into our store to get a meal for their dates and to pretend it’s self made. My husband loves those guys and has always some good advice for them what they need to impress,” Krista Bothman said.
She explains that people who buy frozen food at the grocery store often do not know how old they are. “Our meals are all prepared and sold within seven days and our average entrees cost $3 to $3.50 per serving,” she said. The company philosophy is that you can save money and time with purchasing their meals, even as much as 20 to 30 hours per month.
How to make your meal super
Daily Emerald
April 20, 2008
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