Frequently asked questions

You describe your event through our booking wizard, the occasion, date, guest count, cuisine preferences, and budget. Chefs in your area who match your brief receive it and send you custom menu proposals with pricing. You compare proposals, chat with chefs if you have questions, and accept the one you like. The chef handles everything from there, grocery shopping, cooking, serving, and cleanup.

We recommend booking at least two weeks ahead so chefs have time to plan and shop. For popular dates like weekends and holidays, a month or more is ideal. That said, many chefs accept last-minute requests, so it is always worth posting your event even on short notice.

Absolutely. As long as the kitchen has the basic equipment to cook your chosen menu, chefs are happy to work at holiday rentals, villas, and Airbnbs. Just share the address and a few details about the kitchen when you post your event.

Tell us about any allergies, intolerances, or dietary preferences when you create your booking. Chefs tailor their proposals accordingly and take allergen handling seriously. You can also discuss specifics directly with your chosen chef before the event.

Chefs bring their own specialist tools, ingredients, and expertise. You provide the kitchen and a clean workspace. If your event needs extra equipment, plates, or cutlery, agree it with your chef in advance, any additional fee for these is negotiated directly with the chef, so there are no surprises on the day.

Yes. Every proposal includes a full proposed menu and pricing. You can ask the chef to adjust dishes, swap courses, or accommodate preferences before you accept. Nothing is locked in until you confirm the booking.

Compare menus, pricing, chef profiles, reviews, and past photos side by side in your dashboard. Message any chef with questions, then accept the proposal that best fits your occasion and budget.

Create a chef profile, tell us about your cooking style and experience, and submit a sample menu. Our team reviews every application to keep quality high. Once approved, you can start receiving event briefs and sending proposals.

Not necessarily. We welcome talented chefs from many backgrounds, restaurants, catering, private cooking, and beyond. What matters most is the quality of your food, your professionalism, and great guest experiences.

You set your own pricing on every proposal. We provide guidance based on your region, menu, and guest count, but you stay in full control of what you charge.

No. You only respond to briefs that suit your style, schedule, and location. There is no obligation to send a proposal for any event you receive.

Yes. Many of our chefs cook on the platform part-time around other commitments. You decide how many events you take on and when you are available.

Ingredient costs are typically built into the price you quote in your proposal. You shop for and bring everything needed, and the agreed price covers it, so there is nothing for the guest to sort out separately.

No. All communication with guests must stay within the app, from the first message to the final payment. Attempting to lead guests off the platform can result in a permanent ban.

Prices vary by location, menu, number of courses, and guest count. Most experiences fall within a clear per-guest range, and you will always see the full price in each proposal before you commit.

You pay securely through the platform when you accept a proposal. How much is due at booking depends on your chef's payment option ( the full amount, half of the menu plus the service fee, or only the service fee ) and it is always shown on the proposal and at checkout. Money held by chef.eu is only released to the chef after your event; whatever remains is either charged automatically 7 days before the event or paid to your chef directly, exactly as stated at checkout.

The chef's menu price plus a 10% service fee is all you pay, the fee is shown clearly at checkout before you confirm, and groceries are included in the chef's price. Only extras you agree directly with your chef, such as rented equipment, plates, or cutlery, come on top.

Money held by chef.eu is transferred to the chef 3 days after the event, provided everything was delivered as agreed. Depending on the chef's payment option, part of the price may be paid by the guest directly to the chef instead. Platform funds are transferred directly to the chef's linked account.

Tips are never expected but always appreciated. The platform does not process tips, if you would like to show appreciation for a fantastic experience, you can tip your chef directly at the event.

Chef.eu OÜ, registered in Estonia, issues an invoice (payment receipt) for the service fee only. For the chef's services themselves, the chef is responsible for issuing the invoice, you can request it directly from your chef.

You can cancel free of charge until 7 days before your event, everything you paid through chef.eu is refunded in full, including the service fee. Within 7 days of the event, bookings are non-refundable; if exceptional circumstances prevent your event from going ahead, contact our support team, refunds under special circumstances are reviewed case by case.

In the rare case a chef has to cancel, we look for a similar replacement chef as soon as possible. If we cannot find one in time, you receive 100% of your payment back, including all service fees.

Yes, subject to your chef's availability. Message your chef as early as possible and we will help adjust the booking. Pricing may change with a different guest count.

Minor tweaks are usually fine if you let your chef know in advance. Larger changes may affect pricing or require a revised proposal, which your chef will confirm with you.

Approved refunds are processed back to your original payment method, typically within a few business days. If your event was not delivered as agreed, contact support, you may be eligible for a partial or full refund.

Every chef goes through an application review covering their experience, sample menus, and identity. We monitor reviews and feedback continuously to maintain a high standard across the platform.

Yes. Reviews can only be left by guests who have completed a real booking, so every rating reflects a genuine experience.

Our support team is available to help if anything comes up. Reach out through the platform and we will work with you and the chef to resolve the issue quickly and fairly. If the experience was not delivered as agreed, you may be entitled to a partial or full refund.

Your full address is only shared with a chef once you have accepted their proposal and the booking is confirmed. Until then, chefs only see your general area.

We strongly encourage all chefs to carry appropriate liability and food-safety cover, and many do. You can ask any chef about their insurance directly before booking.