How Gula's Pre-Order System Works: A Complete Guide

New to pre-order food? This guide walks you through exactly how Gula works, from start to finish.

Step 1: Browse Active Menus

When you open Gula (or visit gula.co.nz), you'll see a feed of active menus from certified home kitchens and food trucks across New Zealand. Each menu card shows:

• Kitchen name and type (Home Kitchen or Food Truck)
• Menu name (e.g., "Weekly Comfort Batch")
• Time remaining until the order deadline closes
• Delivery date and time window
• Delivery fee (starting from $X) or "Pickup Free"

Step 2: Choose Your Menu

Tap any menu to see full details: the dishes available, pricing, delivery zones, and pickup options. If you're within delivery range, you'll see calculated fees. If you're outside the range but pickup is available, that's shown too.

Pro tip: Order early! Each menu has a deadline. After it closes, no more orders are accepted.

Step 3: Place Your Pre-Order

Add items to your cart, then proceed to checkout.

At checkout, you'll choose:

• Delivery or Pickup: Choose doorstep delivery or free pickup from the kitchen
• Delivery address: (for delivery) The exact fee is calculated based on your distance from the kitchen
• Payment method: Credit card, debit card, or other options

Step 4: Kitchen Prepares Your Food

After the deadline closes, the kitchen sees all orders and begins cooking. This is the key difference from on-demand: your food is made fresh, exactly to order, not sitting in a warming drawer waiting for a driver.

You'll receive confirmation and can track your order status.

Step 5: Fresh Delivery

On the scheduled delivery day, your food arrives fresh. For delivery orders, the kitchen (or their driver) brings it to your door. For pickup orders, you collect directly from the kitchen at the specified time.

That's it — enjoy your fresh, batch-cooked meal!

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