Released on: June 27, 2008, 10:07 am

Press Release Author: Stacey Kumagai/Media Monster Communications, Inc.

Industry: Food & Beverage

Press Release Summary: The economy is affecting more than people\'s wallets... it\'s
affecting health, stress levels, lifestyle and time management and dietary choices.
DINING IN, the Bay area\'s fastest growing premier personal chef service is on a
mission to help busy people stay healthy.

Press Release Body: SAN FRANCISCO, CA --- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Western Information Office reports gas prices are 15.5 percent higher from last
year, as prices for food away from home increased 3.7 percent. With the added 4%
health insurance charge added to tax and tip for dining out, most busy Bay area
professionals are turning to fast food with no time to cook , while looking for a
way to save money. DINING IN - San Francisco Bay Area's fastest growing premier
personal chef service has become the solution for those who are challenged juggling
money, time, lifestyle, their diet and their grocery bills in a changed economy.
Rising gas prices make life challenging for Bay area residents who drive more. They
are sacrificing healthy eating to compensate for fuel costs. Already delivering to
all of San Francisco, East Bay, Oakland, the Peninsula, Menlo Park, Palo Alto and
Marin, DINING IN has tripled business in the last three years. DINING IN's healthy,
fresh, calorie-conscious, organic food delivery service has recently expanded
delivery to San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Campbell and Los Gatos homes and
offices. This extended service outreach enables people to make better eating
choices.

"As prices rise for food, gas and luxury items, it is important that people don\'t
skimp on taking care of their health. At the end of the day - it is our health that
allows us to work so hard, keep up with the daily demands, enjoy life and feel
great. Given that the costs of food is steadily rising about 15% up from last year,
DINING IN makes sure that you eat a healthy meal and no money goes to waste! The
best thing about our service is that each entree is portioned per person, so there
is no throwing away rotting food, cooking too much and never eating it or spending
an excessive amount on take-out,' states DINING IN Founder/Executive Chef Traci
Higgins.

According to a 2005-2006 U.S. Census Bureau study, San Francisco spends $7,942
annually on food - which is higher than Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle and San Diego
for cities in the West, with the average American purchasing fast food 16 days per
month. Over the latest 12-month period, prices for medical care services advanced
5.2 percent an indication that fast food is NOT the right economical or healthier
answer. DINING IN's mission is to keep the Bay area healthy with portion control,
fresh ingredients and special attention to nutritious menus. By creating healthier
food choices which also enhance time management and lifestyle, DINING IN is all
about helping their clients with quality living.

\"When I first started the service I was trying to save money by ordering less food.
I realized that I spent more money going to the grocery store to buy food than I
would have otherwise, and it was rarely good for me. I decided the purchasing a few
extra meals per week is actually saving me money," states Courtney Hahn, DINING IN
client and director of a collection agency.

Passionate about healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle, Chef Higgins will be
participating in the AVON Breast Cancer Walk in San Francisco July 12-13th. Her
healthful mission continues with education and demonstration. She will be doing
free cooking demonstrations Saturday July 26, 2008 at Williams-Sonoma Union Square
(340 Post Street, SF - 415-362-9450). Her upbeat cooking demonstration, HEALTHY
MEALS IN MINUTES will feature Chef Higgins demonstrating fresh and healthful ways of
cooking 12 Noon-1 p.m. and an encore presentation 1:00-2:00 p.m.

As a working wife and mother herself, Chef Higgins knows how important it is eat
right and balance time and nutrition for optimum productivity. "Once I get my
daughter out the door I make a list of priorities for the day. I go down the list
one by one and crossing them out feels great. I try to go to the gym from 4-5 pm,
pick up my daughter and then we all heat up our DINING IN meals at 6:30. We play
for a few hours then off to bed early. I feel horrible if I do not exercise and do
not eat a balanced diet. The first thing to go is my energy! I save about 8 hours
a week by having my meals made. I do not have to go to the grocery store more than
once a week, (saves gas); never have to cook (saves energy) or do dishes (saves
water). Eating well makes me able to keep up the demands in my life! (saves
time),"explains Higgins.

Chef Higgins is a multi-hyphenate entrepreneurial business woman, Executive Chef,
Speaker, Culinary Instructor, Health Educator & Advocate, who has worked in the test
kitchens of Cooking Light, Weight Watchers, America\'s Best Recipes and on the
television show \"Follow That Food\" with Gordon Elliott for the Food Network. Higgins
has traveled the country performing cooking demonstrations and insightful lectures
on health and wellness to doctors, dietitians, health professionals and nurses and
has been active in many diabetes educational forums and conferences. She is credited
in three cookbooks.

Saving time, money and calories is not only a positive lifestyle change, but one
that is also changing in positive ways at DINING IN. More exciting new menu options
will continue to be launched this summer. DINING IN is also offering kid-friendly
menus for busy families but will be expanding its menus to include The Daily Diet to
launch in July - an \"all-inclusive\" diet program for those serious about weight
loss. The program includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and two snacks, all within a
particular caloric range and fat content.

For interviews, please contact Publicist, Stacey Kumagai, Media Monster
818-506-8675, and mediamonster@yahoo.com. For more information on DINING IN\'s
time-saving healthy food service, go to www.dininginsf.com. Join DINING IN's
MySpace network at www.myspace.com/dininginsf

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Web Site: http://www.dininginsf.com

Contact Details: Publicist: Stacey Kumagai
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
818-506-8675
mediamonster@yahoo.com