101 North - July 2005 - Sunfare
Press > 101 North - July 2005 - Sunfare
HOUSE CALLS
John Stewart was preparing workouts and private training sessions for clients in Los Angeles when he noticed a piece of paper in the garbage with the handwritten statement, “Kimberly wants food.”
After explaining to the physical trainers in no uncertain terms about responding to clients no matter what they wanted, Stewart returned the call. She was Kimberly di Bonaventura, whose husband, Lorenzo, was president of feature films at Warner Bros.
Stewart is not a chef, but he understood early how proper nutrition was important for clients interested in remaining physically fit. That knowledge, plus connections, have led to the creation of Sunfare, a healthy meal delivery service that serves more than 700 clients daily in Southern California and the Scottsdale areas.
“We go over every ingredient with the client and they choose what they like and dislike, and we create a menu specifically for them,” says Stewart, 32, Sunfare’s founder and CEO who lives in Troon North. “We want to be your personal chef.”
Stewart’s clients have included Sandra Bullock, Charlie Sheen, Rob Reiner, Anne Archer, Ryan Seacrest and the casts of “Friends” and “Will & Grace.”
And to think, it all came about because of a discarded piece of paper. It didn’t happen overnight. In fact, Stewart spent all his savings on a first caterer who prepared food that Lorenzo di Bonaventura didn’t like. Next, he maxed out his credit cards on another caterer. This time, the di Bonaventuras liked the food and lost weight and Stewart was on his way.
“Kimberly told me that if Lorenzo does well with this you’ll have everyone in town coming to you, “Stewart says. “We built a little kitchen (1,300 square feet) in Hollywood. Eventually, it was 10,000 square feet.”
The business then was the Delivery Zone. As it grew, expenses grew ever faster in California’s business-unfriendly environment. So rather than expand in California, business partner Carl Ferro remained on the West Coast and Stewart moved to Scottsdale. The company became known as Sunfare in January 2003. Its corporate office, including a 7,000-square-foot kitchen and 3,000 square feet of office space, is located at 7th Avenue and Deer Valley Road. In all, there are 150 employees.
“We’ve moved from zone meals to any type you want,” Stewart says. “We have protein, calorie-restricted and vegetarian meals as well as family style.”
For $39.95 per day, individuals get specially prepared breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner and evening snack. Family style meals start at $39.95 for two or $11.95 per person depending upon the number of people to be fed. Entrees include four sides. To learn more about Sunfare, call (866) 786-3273 or visit www.sunfare.com.