How does it work? It's as easy as 1-2-3!
Sign up for a session that is convenient for you and get your freezer cleaned out.

Come to our kitchen for the session you signed up for and bring a cooler. We'll get you an apron and a scarf (or you can bring a hat), and show you what to do. There will be 14 stations around the room, one for each menu selection. You will move from station to station, measuring and mixing ingredients (we always have the right ingredients and you won't have to run to the store for ground cumin) and putting them into the containers we provide. While you are preparing your meals, you will have the opportunity to visit with your friends and other customers, enjoy a beverage, and have a good time. If you have questions, or need assistance, our friendly team is there to support you. As you finish preparing each meal you will put them on your designated freezer shelf so we can quick-chill your food. Our helpful team will clean-up each station as it is used so you don't have to worry about cleaning up after yourself (or anyone else!). After you have completed 12 meals, pack them into the coolers that you brought and take those assets home and freeze them.

Enjoy! Thaw out three meals at the beginning of each week and enjoy the extra time with your family. To cook, simply follow the cooking instructions on the label that comes with each meal and heat it in the slow cooker, oven, stove-top, or out on the grill and “Voila! Dinner is served!”. Repeat as needed.

Get started now! >>

Gift certificates are always available in any amount and make a great gift or award (everyone has to eat, right?).

Additionally, you can share your session with others in many ways:
• A meal for a family with a new baby or expecting a baby
• A person recovering from surgery or illness
• A family in mourning
• New neighbors, or friends and family who have recently moved
• A potluck
• A tail-gate
• An elderly parent or neighbor
• Feed those hungry college kids and stock their freezer with “real meals”
• Fill your freezer with meals that can be easily prepared by caregivers when you are away.

Q. Is this a chain?
A. No! What’s for Dinner is a Des Moines original and is not a chain. We have recently added a second location in Ankeny - but we are not a chain. The
recipes, the stores, the fun - they are all exclusive to Central Iowa!

Q. I have a family member with a food allergy. Will this work for me?
A. Since you are more accustomed to reading labels and looking for things that will not work than we are, we invite you to call and set up a time to come in to look at the recipes and the labels of the ingredients. That will help you choose meals that work, and we can discuss alternatives and omissions for you. You are always welcome to leave something out that will not work. If we have a substitution that will work in the store, you are welcome to it. If not, you can add the missing ingredient at home. Come in and take a look around and let's talk and see if this will work for you.

Q. Do you offer specialized sessions for vegetarians, diabetics, low-carb, etc?
A. We love the idea of specialized sessions, and have kicked it around a bit, but there are quite a few logistical issues that we would need to work out. If there is enough interest, we may add some sort of low-carb, South-Beach type, vegetarian, diabetic session in the future, but that is probably a bit down the road.

Q. Do you have the nutrition information available for your meals so we can use that to choose?
A. Good news, we have recently purchased some nutrition software and have the nutrition information available for our meals here at the store, on the cooking labels, and on our website. The nutrition information also includes how many Weight Watcher Points ® are in each serving. Don’t forget, when you are assembling your meals you control what goes in, so you can leave out rice or pasta or decrease mayo or bacon, etc. depending on your dietary needs.

Q. Sign me up! How do I register?
A.
Ankeny:
www.whatsfordinnerankeny.com/schedule/
Phone:515-963-3688
West Des Moines:
www.whatsfordinnerdm.com/schedule/
Phone: 515-440-6101
Or, you can register in person at any of our stores.

Q. Really? 12 yummy meals in only 2 hours?
A. Really. The recipes and process have been tested and perfected and you will have 12 handmade meals in about 2 hours – plus have time to visit and enjoy your session.

Q. I want the convenience of once-a-month cooking, but I really can't spare 2 hours. What next?
A. No problem, let us assemble them for you. Our team will prepare, package, and label all 12 meals you select. Simply choose the session time that is most convenient for you to come and pick up your food, sign up as usual selecting the 12 meals you want, and at the end of the registration process select “Pick-up” and we’ll have it ready for you. There will be a $20 assembly fee for Full Sessions, and a $10 fee for a Half Session. The assembly fee is half off when orders are picked-up between the 5th and 15th of each month.

Q. How many people does each meal serve?
A: Each meal serves 6 people according to the FDA. Since peoples appetites do vary, we say meals to serve 4-6 people.

Q. How long do I have to let these meals thaw before cooking?
A. We recommend you let each meal thaw in the refrigerator 2-3 days before cooking.

Q. Only 10 of this month's menu options will work for my family. Can we still do this?
A. Absolutely. Double up on your favorites to total 12 meals.

Q. How often does the menu change?
A. 14 exciting new options will be available the first of each month. Menus for the following month will be posted by the 7th of the previous month.

Q. We love (or dislike) onions. Can we adjust the recipes?
A. No problem – the recipes can be adjusted as you see fit. The only ingredients that are portion-controlled are the meats.

Q. Will all of this food fit in my freezer?
A. Sure it will. The meals will be packaged in a variety of containers, freezer bags, and foil packets. This will easily fit in a standard freezer with room to spare.

Q. How do I get all of this good food home?
A. Easy, we suggest you bring a large cooler (or two) to transport your meals. A laundry basket, box, or large tote will also work.

Q. That is a lot of food, can I split it?
A. You bet. Split it with a friend, or a relative. You can each take six dinners, or if you would rather, you can each make 12 that serve 2-3. If you have a smaller household, use the splitting option and leave with 24 meals that serve 2-3.

Q. How do I sign up to split a session with a friend?
A. You and your partner need to agree on which 12 meals you want to split. Only one of you needs to sign up on the website, choose the time, date, and 12 meals. At the end of the registration process it will ask if you plan to split the meals, you say yes, and we have everything we need.

Q. Will there be food or drinks available to enjoy during the session?
A. We will supply the soda and water, you are more than welcome to bring in the wine, beer, or liquor of your choice (we have glasses available) as well as any snacks

Q. Can I bring my children?
A. Children 8 and over are welcome to come and help cook. We’re sorry, but kids under 8 are not able to attend due to health department requirements.

Q. Didn’t you used to have babysitting available?
A. We did have an area designated for small children and a babysitter, but much to our surprise it was rarely being used. We found that most people who come here are looking for a break from parenting and had a babysitter of their own they were more comfortable with.

Q. How do I pay?
A. When you register for a session, we will capture your credit card information, but your card will not be charged at that time. This guarantees your spot. You will pay at your session. We accept Cash, Checks, Visa, or Mastercard.

Q. What if I have to cancel?
A. If you are unable to attend your session, please call us at least three days in advance so we can offer others an opportunity to fill your spot. We will work with you to reschedule your session. Cancellations providing less than three days notice will have their card charged, but we will prepare your meals for you and they will be available for you to pick up during future sessions (a $30 assembly charge will be applied).

Q. How do I set up a private party?
A. Call us and we will be happy to work with you. We require a minimum of 10 (split sessions count as 1, not 2). If at least 10 people have not signed up 1 week prior to the session, it will be opened up to the public. We have a contract in the store to sign and guarantee those spots.
Ankeny Location: 515-963-3688
West Des Moines Location: 515-440-6101

Q. What if I really only want 1 or 2 meals?
A. We have some meals already put together, please stop in and shop our cooler. Individual meals are available for $18. Unfortunately, there is no way to have people come in and make only one or two meals at a time, so they have to be made up by our staff. Keep an eye out for our new and upcoming pick-up option - What’s for Dinner Caters to YOUR Life!

Q. What if I want 13 or 14 meals?
A. If you are doing a full session, and would like to add 1 or 2 meals, we will do our best to accommodate these types of requests. If we have the ingredients available, you will be able to add a meal or two on to your session for $18 apiece.

Q. How long can the meals be frozen?
A. The labels say to freeze them for up to a month. They will not spoil if they are kept in the freezer longer than that, but remember, this is REAL food and it doesn’t have any preservatives to keep it from getting freezer crystals. So to ensure the best taste, try to use them as quickly as possible.

Q. Do you share your recipes?
A. It is such a compliment that people love our food enough to want the recipes, but can’t give them away. However, we do keep a list of requests for repeats at the store. Next time you are in, sign up for your favorites and we will be sure to get them back on the menu again.