Review of Goldbelly x Chef Francis Mallmann Meal Kits - AFAR
"Founded in 2013 as an online storefront that ships iconic regional American foods overnight via UPS and FedEx, the service expanded with its first international collection in partnership with Argentine chef Francis Mallmann to offer Patagonian asado-style meal kits, empanadas, and desserts across the U.S. Offerings range from a large Traditional Argentinian Asado Feast for 10–12 (multiple steaks, short ribs, chorizo and sides) to smaller kits such as the 7.5 Hour Lamb Malbec Dinner Kit for 6–8 and a Dulce de Leche Panqueques Kit. Kits arrive on selected delivery days (Wednesday or Friday) in insulated cardboard boxes with freezer bags, ice packs, and vacuum-packed fully prepared components; most items require only brief reheating, making package-to-plate prep roughly 20 minutes for the lamb and potatoes. The lamb was braised for over seven hours before shipping and reheated to a very tender, fall-apart texture while the potatoes crisped nicely; the pre-cooked panqueques, however, did not reheat well and cracked when rolled. The reviewer praised the convenience, accurate serving sizes, and quality of the savory components but noted heavy packaging, the absence of printed cooking instructions, and disappointment with the dessert, and suggested opting for a 12-pack of beef empanadas as an appetizer alternative." - Lyndsey Matthews
