The disclosed embodiments provide for methods and apparatus for a user of a wireless handset device to wirelessly connect to a portal of a merchant/vendor, or a third party service provider and interactively select and purchase food ingredients and merchandise assembly parts. The user may also receive instructions on how to select recipes, choose ingredients, pick up ingredients, prepare and cook the meal. The inventive concept may also be applied to assembly of other merchandise, such as toys, home improvement, home projects, clothing, costumes, party design and furnishing, and other projects.