Start
or grow
your meal
prep business
You do the cooking and we'll take care of the rest.
What is Shef?
Shef is a platform connecting food entrepreneurs with local customers and subscribers on the hunt for nutritious weekday meals.
From marketing to order management, payment processing, long-range delivery, customer service, and more, we're a one stop shop to grow your business.
We believe in made, not manufactured: while our customers order days in advance, you can cook, cool, and package your meals for us to deliver fresh.
From marketing to order management, payment processing, long-range delivery, customer service, and more, we're a one stop shop to grow your business.
We believe in made, not manufactured: while our customers order days in advance, you can cook, cool, and package your meals for us to deliver fresh.
Why become a shef?
Weekly recurring orders
Help customers stock their fridge with food for the week. Great for predictable cash flow.
Control & flexibility
Craft your menu, control your availability, and set your cutoff with plenty of time to plan, prep and cook.
It’s never been easier
If you're wanting to take the next step in your culinary career, you can do it all in one place here!
I consider this a dream job. I get to do what I love every day.
Supriya, Bay Area | Joined in 2020
I opened up a momo restaurant in Kathmandu, Nepal. When I moved to the US, I wanted to work in the food industry — that's when I found Shef.
Deep, Bay Area | Joined in 2019
How to sell on Shef
2
Set up your storefront
Create your profile, build your menu, and add your dishes.
3
Set your schedule
Choose when you’d like to cook. You have complete control of your availability, cutoff time, capacity, and more!
4
Prepare your orders
Customers will be able to place orders 1+ days in advance. Cook, cool, and package your orders for delivery, then we’ll take it from there!¹
5
Keep customers coming back
Cook your delicious food, fill those empty bellies, and listen to customer feedback!
Video Spotlight
Meet the shefs
Help when you need it
Talk to us
Reach out to our customer support whenever you have an issue.
We’re only a quick email or text away. Our team looks forward to hearing from you and answering your questions.
We’re only a quick email or text away. Our team looks forward to hearing from you and answering your questions.
Pursue your passion
Customers loving your food is just the first step to building a healthy meal prep business:
We’ll help you with payments, logistics, marketing, customer acquisition and support so you can focus on what you love.
We’ll help you with payments, logistics, marketing, customer acquisition and support so you can focus on what you love.
Craft your menu
Our team has experts on staff to help you choose your dishes and build your menu.
We’ll help you craft a compelling menu and provide tips on pricing, sourcing, and portions.
We’ll help you craft a compelling menu and provide tips on pricing, sourcing, and portions.
Get advice
We have worked with thousands of shefs from all walks of life, at various stages in their culinary journey.
We can help you regardless of where you are starting.
We can help you regardless of where you are starting.
Cooking safely
Food safety training
All applicants are required to pass an accredited food safety certification exam before joining our cooking community. Once you pass this course, you’ll be one step closer to cooking and selling your food safely!
Trusted by thousands of people
Shef is used every day by thousands of customers around the United States. We work hard to help our shefs feel taken care of and supported throughout the entire process.
Frequently asked questions
What is Shef?
Shef is a meal delivery platform that connects food entrepreneurs with local customers and subscribers. You list your menu on our site, customers pre-order days in advance, then you prepare/cool/package orders for delivery day, and we handle the logistics from there. We're a one-stop-shop to manage and grow your business. From marketing, to menu/order management, payment processing, long-range delivery, customer service, and more - we have everything you'll need!
What is cooking on Shef really like?
Cooking on Shef is easy. You set your availability and your customers order from your menu on Shef. We’ll notify you of all the orders in an easy-to-read list. Once you’ve finished cooking, you’ll safely cool your dishes and prepare them for delivery. Once your customers receive their food, you’ll get the chance to hear how much they enjoyed it.
How does delivery work?
Delivery varies in each market based on local requirements, but we'll help you identify the best delivery method available to you. We're here for you every step of the way!
How many days a week can I cook?
It's completely up to you! Each market has a different number of delivery days available; you can cook and sell on all of the delivery days or just one of them. No pressure, feel free to go at your own pace!
Once I start cooking on Shef, can I take a break from cooking?
Yes, of course! You manage your own schedule. If you'd like to take a break, that's completely fine. We'll be here to support you whenever you're ready to come back!
How do I get paid?
We partner with an online payment processing system, which automatically issues payments soon after each day that you cook!
Who are Shef's customers?
Shef’s customers are busy individuals or families who incorporate Shef meals into their weekly routines. Our customers often don’t have the time and/or skill to cook the food they want. They value healthy, high-quality, tasty meals they can feel good about eating on a regular basis, typically for weekday lunches and dinners.
Who can cook on shef? I don’t have culinary training, do I need that?
We work with a wide range of shefs, some who are just getting started, and others with established food business or decades of experience. The one thing all shefs have in common is a passion for cooking! Please note: you must be over the age of 18 and eligible to work as a 1099 contractor. You are also required to comply with all legal requirements applicable to the type of food you're selling in your location, and go through our multi-step application process before you're fully approved to sell food on Shef.
Ready to start cooking?
Join a community of shefs cooking in your neighborhood.
¹ Delivery methods vary based on local regulations.
Ready to cook on Shef?
DOWNLOAD OUR APP AND LEAVE THE REST TO THE SHEFS
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