Thanks to them you effectively have a multi-cuisine menu right in your phone. You can order a meal even at weird hours, from much larger distances that you would normally be happy to commute across. It takes a few taps and then you can do whatever it is you want or need to, while the preparation and delivery are done for you. All for a few bucks extra (with a monthly subscription bringing it down to cents).

The need for cooking at home has very nearly been obliterated – and I’m certain the selection of foods and specialization of restaurants will only progress with time.

In the meanwhile, companies running the services optimize the delivery time and storage of food to make sure it arrives as quickly and in as good condition as possible (I’m sure that will improve as well).

It means that you can have practically anything, anywhere at almost any time, without the need to do shopping, make a mess in your kitchen and spend hours actually cooking (and then eating the same damn thing for a week, because why make only one portion while you’re at it?).

Personally, I use Grab Food 30 to 40 times a month – basically, more than once per day. I usually eat some cereal for breakfast (no hassle) and perhaps make myself some eggs on toast (very little hassle and cost). But for lunch and dinner I rely on restaurants.

It takes a minute to order something, I have an enormous choice and once I confirm the request I can get back to work, waiting for the doorbell to ring.

This produces extensive optimization across many areas of the economy.

Firstly – I don’t waste my time and can use it to do what I want or need to do, instead of being forced to go to a supermarket or a food joint to get food. At the same time, I have a broad choice of dishes that I would normally never be able to prepare at home. It also reduces waste (how much food gets thrown out because we no longer fancy it after a few days in the fridge?).

Secondly – restaurants can focus on maximizing their output, which is no longer limited by available seating space. How many times have you had to eat at a different place because your first choice was crowded? With food delivery the best places can serve a lot more people without restriction renting large space to accommodate and provide service to them brings.