Do I need to buy the groceries?

Yes! And that is actually one of the biggest benefits. By purchasing the ingredients yourself, you have total control over your budget and preferences (organic, specific brands, etc.), and you never pay a "markup" on food costs. The cook simply arrives and turns your groceries into delicious meals. The cook will send you a grocery list through the in-app feature.

Why do cooks come to my house instead of delivering?

This is primarily for health code compliance and safety. Most regions have strict regulations against selling food prepared in uninspected home kitchens. By having the cook prepare the meal in your kitchen, we ensure full compliance with health laws and give you peace of mind knowing exactly where and how your food is handled.

Is it safe?

We prioritize your peace of mind. All cooks on the RediChefs platform undergo background checks through Checkr before they are allowed on the app and accept bookings.

How do I communicate with the cook?

Once you send a request, you can use our built-in Chat Feature to discuss menu details, allergies, or any details about your house.

I haven't heard back?

Please keep an eye on your email (and Spam folder) and text messages for notifications about prompts and replies from cooks in the app. Make sure your phone number is saved in your Profile to receive SMS alerts.

Is it expensive?

We are built to be affordable. Our marketplace lets you choose a cook that fits your budget. You can discuss pricing directly with them before you confirm book.

Do I have to subscribe?

No subscriptions! You can book a "one-off" dinner to save your Tuesday night, or simply book a weekly meal to keep your fridge stocked. You are in total control.

Do I need to buy the groceries?

No. The customer provides all the ingredients. This keeps your upfront costs low. You just need to bring your skills and your favorite apron! Remember to use the in-app feature to send them a grocery list and discuss dietary restrictions.

Where does the cooking happen?

You travel to the client's home. This is strictly required for health code reasons. Preparing food in your own personal kitchen for sale often requires commercial licensing and inspections. Cooking in the client's home keeps everyone compliant and safe.

How do I coordinate the details?

Use the Chat Feature on the platform to confirm the menu, arrival time, details about the client's home/kitchen, etc before you go. Communication is key.

Important: Stay On Top of Notifications!

RediChefs sends you both email and SMS notifications for new booking inquiries, messages, and updates. Check your email (or Spam folder) and text messages regularly. Make sure your phone number is saved in your Profile so you never miss a paid job!

How do I get paid?

Payments are secure and simple. Once you complete a booking, the funds are transferred directly to your Stripe account. Please ensure your Stripe account is set up and active to receive payments.

Are all cooks background checked?

Yes! Every cook on RediChefs must pass a comprehensive background check and identity verification before they can accept bookings. This ensures the safety and peace of mind of our customers.

What does the background check include?

Our background checks are conducted by Checkr, our trusted third-party verification partner. They include criminal record searches and identity verification. All checks are conducted securely to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Do cooks need health department licenses?

RediChefs operates under what's called the "Private Home Exemption" in food safety law. Here's why no health department license is required:

• The cook prepares food in your private home, not a commercial kitchen
• You provide the groceries—the cook is performing a service, not selling a product
• This is a private service transaction (like hiring a private chef or housekeeper), not a commercial food operation
• The food is for your personal consumption in your home, not offered for public sale

Because of these factors, health department permits and commercial food establishment licenses are not required. The cook is working in your space, with your equipment, using your ingredients—which keeps the service private and exempt.

Why don't you offer delivery?

This is an important legal distinction. Once food is prepared in one location and delivered to another for sale, it becomes a commercial food product under food safety regulations. That would require:

• State-licensed commercial kitchen facilities
• Health department inspections and permits
• Food handler certifications
• Time-temperature control and packaging regulations

By having the cook prepare food in your home, we remain within the private home exemption. This keeps our service legal, affordable, and accessible—while ensuring you get fresh, personalized meals prepared right in front of you!

When do I pay for a booking?

Payment is processed after the cook completes the service and you verify completion. You'll be prompted to complete payment through our secure Stripe payment system. The amount charged will be the fixed price that you and the cook agreed upon before confirming the booking.

How is the final price determined?

Unlike a strict "hourly rate × hours" calculation, our pricing model is based on fixed-price quotes:

• Each cook sets their base hourly rate (visible on their profile)
• When you submit a booking request, the cook reviews the complexity of your meal, number of guests, special requirements, and estimated time
• The cook then provides a fixed-price quote that accounts for all the work involved
• You discuss and agree on this price before confirming the booking
• That agreed-upon price is what you'll pay after service completion - no surprises!

How much do cooks earn?

Cooks set their own rates and provide fixed-price quotes for each booking. Here's how earnings work:

• Payment Processing: Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction (industry standard for online payments)
• Platform Commission: RediChefs takes 15% of the service amount only (after Stripe's processing fee)
• Tips Are Protected: If you add a tip, it goes 100% to the cook - we don't take any commission on tips!
• First 3 Bookings: An additional $6.67 per booking is deducted to recover the background check cost that RediChefs paid on the cook's behalf
• After 3 Bookings: Cooks only pay Stripe's processing fee + our 15% platform commission on the service amount

Stripe requires 7-14 days for the first payout to arrive as part of their standard security verification. After that, payouts are processed on a rolling schedule, typically arriving in the cook's bank account within 2-3 business days.

Is my payment information secure?

Absolutely! RediChefs uses Stripe, a leading payment processor trusted by millions of businesses worldwide. RediChefs never sees or stores your card information. All payment details are securely collected and processed directly by Stripe. Your card data goes straight to Stripe's secure servers and never touches our platform.

Can I tip my cook?

Yes! During the payment process, you can add a tip for your cook. Tips go entirely to the cook with no platform commission - we only deduct Stripe's standard processing fee (2.9% + $0.30) which applies to the entire transaction. This means your cook keeps 100% of your generosity!

How do I set up my payment account as a cook?

Once you're approved as a cook, RediChefs will automatically initiate your Stripe Connect account setup. You'll receive an email from Stripe with instructions to complete your account setup. This is required before you can accept bookings and receive payments.

What about the background check fee?

When you register as a cook, you pay a one-time $15 fee as part payment for your background check. RediChefs covers the remaining half as an investment in your success. To help us recover this investment, for your first 3 completed bookings, an additional $6.67 per booking will be deducted from each payout (alongside the standard 15% commission). After your first 3 bookings, you'll only pay the standard 15% commission. This means you can start earning immediately after your background check clears!

Can I cancel a booking?

Yes, you can cancel a booking before the cook completes the service. If you've already paid, you'll receive a full refund. Please provide a cancellation reason to help us improve our service.

What if a cook cancels on me?

If a cook needs to cancel, you'll be notified immediately. Since payment only occurs after service completion, there's no refund needed. We track cook cancellations to ensure reliability on our platform.

How do I communicate with my cook?

Use the built-in messaging system to communicate with your cook. You can access messages from the "Messages" tab in your navigation menu or directly from your booking details.