Why We Made the Chef-Cooked Video: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
One of the biggest challenges we face at Real Meals is explaining just how different our freeze-dried meals are. Freeze-dried food has long been seen as a convenient but uninspiring option, with traditional methods simply mixing pre-dried ingredients together and hoping for the best. Often, it’s a blend of freeze-dried and dehydrated components thrown into a packet, leaving much to be desired in flavour and quality.
When we started Real Meals, we asked a simple question: why does freeze-dried food taste so… average? What we discovered is that it doesn’t have to.
Our approach is revolutionary in its simplicity: if you create a culinary masterpiece and then freeze-dry it, you preserve that masterpiece. It’s real food, created by real chefs, designed to taste incredible on any adventure.
Why Isn’t Everyone Doing This?
It’s a fair question. The process we use is more time-intensive, requires greater care, and yes, costs more. But the result speaks for itself. At Real Meals, we’re not interested in settling for “average.” We want the kind of meals we’d choose for ourselves—something hearty, flavourful, and satisfying after a long day outdoors. That’s why our meals are prepared by qualified chefs who pour their expertise and passion into every dish.
Bringing the Story to Life
So how do we get this message across to adventurers everywhere? Our creative team had the idea to showcase this in action—a photoshoot featuring one of our chefs in the wilderness, cooking for trampers on the trail. It was a fantastic concept that truly illustrated our “chef-cooked” difference.
But, as with any adventure, the mountains had other plans. Weather delays meant our chefs couldn’t make it, so our founder, Nathan Fa’avae, stepped in. As someone who’s eaten more Real Meals than anyone we know, Nathan is the perfect ambassador for what we stand for. He became the star of the shoot, showing how our meals are made for adventurers by adventurers.
A New Standard for Adventure Food
At Real Meals, we don’t just want to fuel your journey—we want to make it better. Whether you’re scaling peaks, paddling rivers, or exploring trails, you deserve food that’s as exceptional as your adventure.
So here’s to the outdoors, great food, and the moments that make it all worthwhile. We hope you enjoy the video as much as we enjoyed making it. Stay tuned for more stories from the trail—and remember, you don’t have to settle for average. With Real Meals, you can take a taste of home wherever you go.
