Checkers has partnered with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver to launch 60 exclusive recipes on Sixty60, helping busy South African families simplify meal planning as schools reopen.
Image: Supplied.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has partnered with Checkers to help busy South African families tackle one of the most common daily challenges by introducing 60 exclusive recipes designed to make weeknight cooking simpler.
The campaign, launched as schools reopen following the midyear break, aims to take the stress out of meal planning by offering easy to prepare recipes that customers can shop directly through the Checkers Sixty60 app, with ingredients delivered in under 60 minutes.
To mark the launch, Oliver surprised parents waiting to collect their children at Durbanville Preparatory School in Cape Town by inviting them into a classroom for an impromptu cooking session.
Parents cooked alongside the world renowned chef using recipes from the new Dinner Done Better collection, turning an ordinary school pickup into an unforgettable experience.
Michelle Adams, a mother of four boys, described the experience as one she would never forget.
"It was completely surreal. The first recipe collection I ever bought for myself was one of Jamie's cookbooks, so I was naturally nervous cooking alongside him. But he was incredibly approachable and his instructions were so clear."
She said the recipes stood out because they relied on ingredients many families already had at home.
"What struck me was how the recipes manage to incorporate everyday ingredients that many of us already have at home, in fresh and creative ways. I can really see Checkers' new online meal options helping busy parents bring more variety and excitement to weeknight meals."
Another parent, Lente Swift, said the experience was unexpected but memorable.
"It was a bucket list moment I didn't even know I had. One minute I was picking my son up from school and the next I was cooking alongside Jamie Oliver, who made me feel completely at ease, with no judgement about my culinary skills, or lack thereof."
She added that the recipes offered a practical solution for families balancing busy schedules.
"I loved the recipes. They're fresh ideas, delicious and take the stress out of deciding what to cook. For any busy mom, having one less thing to think about is a real gift."
The partnership gives Checkers customers exclusive access to 60 of Oliver's recipes, with five new Dinner Done Better meals added to the Sixty60 app every week throughout the school term.
Each week, one featured recipe will also be accompanied by a step by step instructional video presented by Oliver, allowing customers to recreate the meals at home with confidence.
Printed recipe cards with QR codes linking directly to the cooking videos will also be included in selected Sixty60 orders.
Parents at a Cape Town school received the surprise of a lifetime when Jamie Oliver joined them for a cooking session to launch Checkers' new Dinner Done Better campaign.
Image: Supplied.
The recipes include a variety of family friendly meals ranging from superfood salads and pasta dishes to meat, fish and hearty winter vegetable stews.
Ilze Bylos, Chief Marketing Officer for the Shoprite Group, said the initiative reflected Checkers' commitment to making everyday life easier for customers.
"As a supermarket obsessed with making everyday life easier for busy South Africans, Dinner Done Better is about taking the effort out of deciding what to cook and putting great meal ideas within easy reach."
She said the partnership combined Oliver's trusted approach to home cooking with the convenience of Checkers Sixty60.
"Jamie brings the trust and inspiration of simple, delicious recipes, while Checkers Sixty60 makes it easy to get the ingredients delivered to your door the very same day."
Bylos said the retailer recognised that customers faced countless decisions every day and aimed to reduce the effort involved in planning meals.
Parents at a Cape Town school received the surprise of a lifetime when Jamie Oliver joined them for a cooking session to launch Checkers' new Dinner Done Better campaign.
Image: Supplied.
"Our customers face thousands of decisions every day, and our aim is to remove friction at every step of the shopping journey, from inspiration to checkout, helping them reclaim time and mental space for the things that matter most."
The campaign is accompanied by a video showing Oliver surprising unsuspecting parents before guiding them through the cooking experience, highlighting how simple home cooked meals can be even during the busiest school weeks.
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