About Kali Vita Fresca
Our mission is simple: bringing the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your kitchen with fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced as locally as possible. Our meal prep services make eating well effortless—whether you’re looking for flavorful lunches or satisfying evening meals, we make healthy, delicious food convenient and enjoyable.
Meet The Chef
A Pittsburgh native with deep roots in the community, Chef Rich brings over 15 years of culinary magic to your table through his Mediterranean-inspired meals. After earning his degree in Hospitality Management from Mercyhurst University and honing his craft at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Rich embarked on a flavorful journey that took him through some of New York City's most exciting kitchens. After the COVID-19 pandemic Rich made his way home and became the Athletics Chef for the University of Pittsburgh.
Every bite of Chef Rich's cooking reflects his deep appreciation for Mediterranean cuisine and its incredible health advantages. “Food should be enjoyed, not tolerated." is a philosophy that is upheld when creating these meals. He firmly believes that nutritious eating should always be a pleasure—you should never have to sacrifice flavor for health benefits. His meals prove that wholesome ingredients and mouthwatering taste can perfectly coexist on the same plate.
What makes Chef Rich's meals special is his commitment to authentic Mediterranean representation prepared with the freshest local ingredients. Each dish tells a story of tradition while supporting your wellness goals. After years of culinary adventures away from home, Rich is thrilled to be back in Pittsburgh. He now shares his passion with neighbors and friends through convenient, lovingly crafted meals that transform healthy eating into something to look forward to each day. His mission is simple: bringing the sunny flavors of the Mediterranean to the Steel City, one delicious meal at a time!
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I chose Mediterranean because it gives me such a wide scope to work with. I don’t have to be beholden to “Italian” or “Greek” food when I can use the term “Mediterranean” and pull from over 21 different countries. Not only that, but the ethos of the Mediterranean has always spoken to me! “Eat fresh, Eat well, Eat together.”
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It started as a personal endeavor. I was tired of eating flavorless health products and figured, 'I'm a Chef, I can make products that will fuel my workouts and recovery AND taste great'!’ After a few months I started sharing them with my friends and they liked them so I figured “Why not sell em?” And here we are!
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Few reasons:
Meal Prep is a more controlled environment in terms of time, finances, and labor. This gives me a greater handle on all aspects of my life, and makes it easier for me to accomplish a Work/Life balance while still having a profitable endeavor. In addition to that, all the money I save on not having to pay utilities, maintenance costs on equipment, silverware, plate ware, glass ware, linen, etc. can go into the food I make. This means that I can make a higher quality product for a fraction of the price!
Meal Prep is an up-and-coming industry with programs such as Factor, Hello Fresh, and a smattering of other local organizations. This stems from an ever growing shift away from Dine-In establishments due to work, expense, or simply not having the time. However, delivery services have become so expensive that it’s almost just as expensive (if not more so) to have food delivered to your home. That’s insane! With Meal Prep I can give my customers delicious, fresh, home cooked meals for half the cost of delivery in the convenience of their own home. Sounds like a win-win to me.
I wanted to show the world that eating well doesn’t have to be difficult. You work hard enough in your day-to-day life, let me worry about the food. I have the experience, the expertise, and the passion to make you delicious meals that you can eat at your own pace. Food should not be a stressor in life; it should be a pleasure.