Since the global pandemic has meant large numbers of us are staying at home and avoiding enclosed spaces with large numbers of people, meal delivery has been the recourse of many customers and providers in Asia, North America and Europe, with many restaurants transitioning to a delivery-only model. With a second wave of pandemic and lockdown measures being seen in many parts of the world, this sector continues to thrive. But food delivery isn't a new concept, in fact the practice has been around for quite some time.
The first food delivery service in the USA brought Chinese food to homes
In 1922, Kin-Chu Café was a Los Angeles Chinese restaurant. According to a Time magazine report, the restaurant proclaimed that it was "the only place on the West Coast making and delivering real Chinese food." Its main specialty dish was Moo Shu pork, a Northern China recipe with scrambled eggs, cucumber and pork.
The dabbawala system is one of the oldest delivery services and is still going strong
15 cm wide and 30 cm high. Those are the dimensions of dabbas, tin boxes that keep lunches warm during their delivery process. Dabbawala refers to the delivery man, usually carrying multiple dabbas on his cargo bike. Dabbas are part and parcel of Mumbai's daily life. Easily spotted thanks to their white uniforms, most dabbawalas traditionally come from the Southern part of the city. This is an example of an eco-friendly delivery service that existed before that concept was even coined, since it started offering delivery of these reusable lunchboxes around 1890, when India was still under British law.
The first pizza deliveries date back to 1960
The Domino's chain is thought to have launched the pizza delivery trend. In 1960, two brothers called Tom and James Monaghan bought an old pizza restaurant in Michigan called DomiNick's. The restaurant became "Domino's" in 1965 and built an empire on the pizza delivery concept. The franchise now exists in 85 countries worldwide.
In France, food deliveries started with office workers
The first meal deliveries in France date back to 1956, when a deli-caterer in Lille had the idea of delivering meals to office workers. This business, called API, started with 15 meals delivered a day; in 2019 API cooked and delivered over 850,000 meals daily throughout France.
In the USA, fresh milk on your doorstep since 1785
The very first milk deliveries started at the end of the 18th century in Vermont, when farmers went door to door to fill metal containers directly in US homes. Glass bottles revolutionized this service in 1878, followed by the invention of sealed caps in 1884 that allowed longer storage dates.
Did the Romans invent the "takeaway" concept ?
In 2019, archeological excavations conducted in Pompei, Italy, unearthed the predecessor of fast food restaurants. About 2,000 years ago, Romans regularly went to thermopolia. A thermopolium was a sort of takeaway restaurant where one could buy snacks and beverages to go such as lentils, mulled wine and meat. Scholars explained this discovery by saying that at the time, Romans lived in small apartments with little access to cooking appliances. Most often these Roman snacks were eaten walking rather than on site.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Thu Nov 05 2020
Dabbawalas have been delivering warm lunchboxes in Mumbai since 1890. AFPRelaxpic
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.