The start of a new year finds many people looking for healthy lifestyle changes which often include focusing on a healthier diet or food plan. With busy schedules, this isn’t always easy. Daily life has a way of getting in the way. Kristin’s Kitchen steps up to the food plate to make it possible. Kristin Tyler said she was always cooking for people. That hobby turned into a food business offering healthy choices paired with convenience.
Her inspiration stemmed from family dinner time growing up and with her own family. “I would say I found it very important when my kids were young to make sure I had a well-balanced meal on the table every night by 6 pm. It was important to me that we all ate together and still had some time together before bedtime,” Tyler said. “I grew up with my mom always cooking our food and rarely eating out. My kitchen helps families do just that.”
The concept is meals to go with already prepared fresh and frozen options. Orders can be placed online, or customers can stop in during business hours to see what meals are available. The menu varies each week. “It’s a healthier option than going through fast food,” she said. “Food for yourself and your family…getting families back together at the dinner table.”
All food is prepared in-house. “Made 100% by us,” Tyler said. She tries to buy locally as much as possible. “Since we cook everything in our kitchen that means low sugar, low sodium, and no preservatives.” Healthy ingredient options and a home-cooked meal that’s ready-made provide meal options for individuals and/or families.
While Tyler does most of the cooking, she does have a staff to help her. “My employees are made up of moms, grandmas, and a preschool teacher. All women,” she said. “We would love to expand if I had more help in the kitchen cooking. I do the primary cooking and my employees assist with salads and wraps.”
The menu varies weekly, and often the recipes for dishes come from what she ate growing up. “I try to pull stuff from my childhood,” she said. “The zucchini muffins are my mom’s recipe. The peanut butter granola bars are my dad’s recipe.”
Customers rave about the food. Main dishes, soups, sides, salads, wraps, and sweet treats offer a lot of choices depending on the week’s menu. Tyler said the most popular dishes include chicken pot pie, turkey chili, and chicken parmesan. “We always have a seasonal salad,” she said. Sometimes they have vegetarian and vegan options.
Senior meals are prepared in smaller portions and delivered once a week. Deliveries are also made to USC. “Many out-of-state parents find it comforting to know their kids are getting a home-cooked meal a few times a week,” Tyler said.
Kristin’s Kitchen
5166 Sunset Blvd
Lexington, SC 29072
803-490-1636