The Dinner A'Fare, a fresh-food gourmet meal preparation studio kitchen, has opened at the Towne Center North, Suite 130, 5591 Highway 153.

Customers come to the kitchen, spend two hours assembling meals for themselves or their families and then go home with 12 healthy and delicious entrees that are stored in the freezer until ready to cook and serve.

Owners are Annie Gingrich, a chef with more than 15 years in the restaurant business; Alan Larson, an economics professor and economist retired from the TVA; and Marjean Gingrich, a former college instructor.

"The Dinner A'Fare makes people's lives easier by making healthy and delicious dinners affordable and easy to prepare," said Ms. Gingrich. "Each month we offer a rotating menu of 15 recipes that include fresh Angus beef, natural chicken, and pork, hand-cut and trimmed in house. Fish, seafood and vegetarian dishes are also included. The menu is updated monthly with nutrition, food quality, great flavor and variety in mind."

Ms. Gingrich points out that "we do all the shopping, chopping, slicing, dicing and clean up. All this for less than the cost of groceries. Save time, save money, eat better and have fun with The Dinner A'Fare."

"A typical family will enjoy chef-created, children-friendly gourmet dinners for less than $5 per serving," Larson says. "Compare that with dining out or the time and money spent shopping for groceries, and it's no wonder The Dinner A'Fare has so many fans."

The Dinner A'Fare franchise was founded by husband and wife entrepreneurial team, Ken and Stephanie Wright. Headquartered in Atlanta, the business started franchising in 2005 and now has over 30 franchise locations across the country.

The Wrights were looking for a way to simplify their lives and share their love of cooking with others.

"The Dinner A'Fare inspires families to get back to the old-fashioned concept of home-cooked meals and family dinners," says Ken Wright. "Our customers include dual-income families, stay-at-home moms, single parents, empty-nesters, singles, newlyweds and retirees, all looking to simplify their lives. It's great for anyone who wants to reduce stress while obtaining nutritionally balanced, home-cooked meals."

Mrs. Wright says the kitchen studio provides a great way for families to stay within their monthly food budget while not sacrificing on quality, flavor and variety. "A typical experience in a grocery store often finds price taking precedence over healthful dinners," she said. "But at The Dinner A'Fare, dinner packages are a set price based on serving size."

The Dinner A'Fare is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Other times are available by appointment. Private sessions are also available.

To register for a The Dinner A'Fare cooking event, visit www.dinnerafare.com or call 423 870-6912. Prices of meal packages are determined by the number of dishes and how many people each dish serves. The Dinner A'Fare gift cards are available upon request.