Today, on July 21, in the presence of well-known chefs in Latvia Lauris Aleksejevs (36 line), Māris Jansons (Kest), Mārtiņš Sirmajs (Ramen Riga), Andris Rūmītis (Hercogs Garden) and Kristīne Vīksna (Tower Cafe) the takeaway restaurant created by them was solemnly opened. – Chef’s BOX – A restaurant for those on the go. For the first time in Latvia, several chefs have joined together to create a place where motorists and residents of the area can conveniently buy high-quality, almost restaurant-level meals to take away or enjoy on the spot – on the way to work or home. The Chef’s BOX menu features dishes created by these chefs and popular in their restaurants. The restaurant opened at the non-fuel filling station in Mārupe, Upesgrīvas Street 1, is the first in Latvia, but the chefs do not hide that the goal is to create a chain of Chef’s BOX restaurants with several locations throughout Latvia.
“If the Covid pandemic had a positive effect on the restaurant industry in general, it is the inspiration and vigor that opened up new opportunities for a number of chefs – new restaurants in the regions, unprecedented delivery concepts and other solutions. I am glad that, together with other colleagues, we have managed to develop and launch the first multi-chef collaboration project during this time. In the future, Chef’s BOX will be a place for delicious meals for customers, and for us – cooks – a space for co-creation, where we can try new recipes, unprecedented solutions and even invite other cooks to our team!” so comments one of the authors of the Chef’s BOX idea, businessman, owner of the 36.linija restaurant and chef Lauris Aleksejevs.
The first Chef’s BOX restaurant has been opened and will continue to serve those on the road every day at the Neste gas filling station in Mārupe, Upesgrīvas street 1. In the coming year, it is planned to open 2-3 more takeaway restaurants in the Neste DUS network in Riga and Pierīga. More than 50 thousand EUR have been invested in the creation of the first Chef’s BOX restaurant.
“Chef’s BOX is simply good food in a box! We have been in test mode for two weeks now, and the feedback from customers is exactly that – we have a tasty, interesting meal offer, and unprecedentedly filling compared to other takeaway offers. Of course, customers also appreciate the availability of such food, both in terms of convenient access and good prices. We are optimistic that soon we will open restaurants with this concept in other places in Latvia,” says Kaspars Gulbis, the author of the Chef’sBOX idea and owner.
Shopping at Chef’s BOX is quick and easy. You can choose and order food on the spot at the Neste fuel filling station in Mārupe, Upesgrīvas street 1, or order in advance online at www.chefsbox.lv The offer includes 38 different items – breakfast, soups, sandwiches, wraps, hot breads, salads, main dishes, desserts, cold and hot non-alcoholic drinks in the price category from 2.50 to 6 euros. The offer includes such dishes as Laura Alekseeva’s 36th line Pork ribs with potatoes and BBQ sauce, Mārtiņas Sirmās Ramen Riga, Tokyo duck ramen soup, Māras Jansons KEST Chicken schnitzel with potatoes, Andras Rūmīša Hercogs Garden pork goulash soup with goat cheese and Kristīnes Vīksnas Tower Cafe Caesar salad with fried chicken fillet. The menu also caters to vegetarians, offering vegetarian ramen soup, vegetarian wrap or salad, vegetable lentil pilaf or grub risotto, as well as a chia seed dessert. Each dish is individually prepared in about 5-10 minutes and packed in heat-resistant and sustainable packages made from vegetable products and environmentally friendly.
“Times change and people’s habits change too. Meanwhile, gas stations are located where they used to be – on the way home, to work, to other destinations. We, at Neste, constantly ask ourselves the question, how can we be useful to our customers besides fast and convenient refueling, and Chef’s BOX is one of the answers! I would say that today is a big holiday for all foodies, but especially for those who are on their way to or from the center of Riga, Pārdaugava, Mārupe, Piņkai and Jūrmala, and whose daily route includes Kārļas Ulmanis gatve – because from today a new flavor station has appeared on your way – Chef’s BOX – Neste DUS in front of t/c Spice,” says Armands Beiziķis, partner of Chef’s BOX, chairman of the board of SIA Neste Latvija.
Chef’s BOX operates every day, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Riga, Upesgrīvas Street 1. Payment is possible both with bank cards and in cash on the spot. Neste customer card holders get a 5% discount on purchases.
