Who hasn't stood in the grocery store staring blankly at the deli counter, thinking, "What am I going to cook for dinner?". Been there, done that.

Once we discovered Designed Dinners, though, life got a whole lot easier. Designed Dinners has tapped an unmet need by making dinner preparation easier for busy families while eschewing the casserole/can of mushroom soup route.

"There's an equal, if not greater audience for people who want good cuisine like a lobster-spiked fettuccine, food that's approachable but not stuff you would pull out the 'Joy of Cooking' on a Sunday afternoon and figure out how to make," according to Bruce Pinkerton, Designed Dinners founder and single dad of two teenagers.

Given his extensive culinary career, it should come as no surprise that Bruce knows how to prepare good food for large crowds. As a result, Designed Dinners uses only the freshest ingredients (using organic and sustainable foods whenever possible) and prepares all sauces by hand. When you see their monthly menu -which gives you 18 new entrees to choose from- you'll see dishes you might find at area restaurants: multiple seafood items (including herb crusted Colossal Sea Scallops), and faves like Asian Inspired Pork Loin Chops and the Ultimate Blue Cheese & Green Peppercorn Burger. Veggie items are also available.

After you choose you entrees, you can sign up for a session (most run at 7 pm on a week night). Or, grab your girlfriends or PEPS group and arrange a private session. The two-hour event includes wine and nibbles while you work your way around a series of prep stations, packaging up your meals for future consumption (and critical acclaim!)

P.S. Super duper busy? Designed Dinners will even do the prep work for you (nice trick for dinner parties - shh! we won't tell) - all you have to do is arrange pick up at one of their 8 locations or their dedicated Belltown Pick-Up Center.

Bonus: Red Tricycle readers enjoy sweet savings - a complimentary entree when you enter the following promotional code: DD07071384343 (a $15 value!). Just select the extra choice you'd like and enter the code number in the promotional code box on the checkout page.

Designed Dinners
www. designeddinners.com
206.618.8294