Dining out in Jamaica is on the increase so does that mean we’re no longer interested in dining in? Perish the thought but with the advent of Dine-In Jamaica a service that is set to transform the way Jamaicans eat at home, by offering food deliveries from a number of restaurants, as well as spirits, beer, and cigarettes from their exclusive Dine-In Mini Bar things are about to change.

Although the concept is not new, with similar operations throughout the United States and in England, Bill Bailey, a budding 21-year-old, St Jago High school graduate from Clarendon, who is the brains behind Dine-In, has finally introduced the concept to Jamaica. “Until now, the restaurant industry has not yet developed enough to take this step,” he says. “It was just a matter of time.”

The idea was born in September 2006, and is slated to launch on July 1. In the 10-month creative process, Bailey’s idea of creating a compilation of menus transformed into a free magazine that will not only have the menus of the participating restaurants, but will include restaurant reviews, recipes, events and home entertaining tips. Essentially, it will serve not only as a take-out bible, but also a must-have for all foodies.

Funded partly on his own and partly by a JA$300,000 loan from the Self-Start Fund, Bailey will depend primarily on revenue from advertising in the magazine to offset printing costs of the magazine and overheads. And while Bailey is currently the office manager of SplashJamaica.com, come July he will focus his attention fully on Dine-In.

An additional outlet is the website, www.dineinjamaica.com. Menus will be available online, but although patrons will not be able to order online, it will offer a forum for foodies, to discuss and learn about the happenings on Jamaica’s epicurean scene. “I want it to be the next outlet for food news, for it to become the place for food news.” He added that they are currently looking for people with a passion for food and writing to join their blog.

Starting small, the Dine-In delivery service will provide food from Susie’s Bakery, TGI Fridays, China Express and Livity. Bailey explains that the major concerns of those restaurants who considered participating, was the brand image of Dine-In, especially the quality of the magazine, as well as the condition in which the food would be delivered. Bailey solved this latter concern by investing in thermal carrier bags which will ensure the food is delivered fresh and warm.

“I don’t see why it shouldn’t do very well,” says Susie Hanna of Susie’s Bakery, who signed up for the service. “We all know the feeling of getting home and finding nothing to eat. The delivery service offers you food that is healthy, filling, and convenient.” Hanna adds that it will inevitably increase sales, especially of their night business that runs from The Daily Bread in Liguanea.

While they cover the Kingston and St Andrew area, it is best to ensure delivery to your area when you order. In terms of cost, there is a JA$200 delivery cost regardless of size of order or delivery location, plus a 7 per cent service charge – cheaper in fact than dining out. Bailey hopes that by the second issue of the magazine (set to launch in October), he will have secured participation from an Indian restaurant and a Japanese restaurant, as well as a number of others. He also hopes to introduce wines to the Mini Bar menu.

– LCY