This piece is presented by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness

By Erin Mairose

The locally-owned meals-to-go business Chef to Plate is finding a growing customer base at Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Fitness locations.

At the Woodlake Athletic Club, Chef to Plate sells about 1,000 meals each month, said GreatLIFE director of fitness and nutrition Nick Ovenden.

“It a great thing for us to bring in (Chef to Plate) and provide another option to our customers,” Overden said. “Not only is it easy to grab, but it’s premade, healthy, and you don’t have to worry about the time element to prepare it.”

Chad Laurich, Joel Jansen, Jill Kleinsasser, owners, and chef Adam Top.

The business used to be known for catering and family meals. But since Chef to Plate was purchased by Jill Kleinsasser, Joel Jansen, and Chad Laurich in November of 2015, they’ve focused on providing individual meals at convenient locations.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options include banana pancakes, chicken fajitas, grilled salmon, and a variety of other entrees. All the meals are prepared by four chefs at Chef to Plate’s kitchen headquarters on Minnesota Ave using fresh ingredients and other items made from scratch, such as their sauces.

Kleinsasser said the meals are similar to what you would order at a restaurant, except “it’s like having a chef cook for you every night of the week.”

Each meal costs around $8 or $9. Kleinsasser is quick to point out that it’s cheaper and faster than sitting down in most restaurants, providing customers crunched for time the best of both worlds.

“It’s just the really busy mom or dad that want to eat healthy, and want their kids to eat healthy, but just don’t have time to cook every meal,” Kleinsasser said.

Chef to Plate’s meals can be purchased at four GreatLIFE fitness centers, Science Nutrition, Poet, and soon the University Center. Customers can order online to pick up meals the next day or stop by any location.

For those wanting to sample a Chef to Plate item, Ovenden recommends the peanut butter protein balls, which is also GreatLIFE’s biggest seller.

“We just feel like Chef to Plate has the best product at the best price to serve as a nutritional option for our members,” Ovenden said.