# Viva Chefs > Viva Chefs is a marketplace that connects customers with trusted, background-checked personal chefs who cook fresh, customized meals right in the customer's home kitchen. The platform serves busy families, professionals, and anyone who wants to enjoy home-cooked food without the hassle of cooking. Website: https://www.vivachefs.com Contact: contact@vivachefs.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivachefs/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vivachefs/ ## What Is Viva Chefs? Viva Chefs connects you with skilled personal chefs who cook fresh, homemade meals right in your kitchen. Whether you need weekly meal prep or occasional cooking help, chefs create delicious, customized meals for your family. It is more than just food — it is a home dining experience designed around you. Unlike traditional personal chef services, the platform makes it easy to browse chef profiles, customize menus, and book services tailored to your needs and budget. Chefs handle everything — from planning and cooking to cleanup. ## How It Works — For Customers 1. **Choose Your Chef** — Explore a list of local chefs, check availability, ratings, reviews, and menus. Find the perfect match for your tastes, needs, and lifestyle. 2. **Book Your Visit** — Book a visit with your chosen chef that fits seamlessly into your schedule. Choose between a one-time booking or a recurring weekly plan. 3. **Customize Your Menu** — Select recipes, personalize your menu, and chat directly with your chef. The app generates a customized grocery list to make shopping simple. 4. **Relax and Enjoy** — Savor fresh meals cooked right in your home. Your chef handles everything and leaves you with a spotless kitchen. 5. **Review and Rebook** — Rebook for weekly subscription perks, including discounts, hassle-free scheduling, prioritized booking, and more meals tailored to you. ## How It Works — For Chefs 1. **Create Your Profile** — Onboard yourself on the Viva Chefs Pro app (available on iOS and Android). Set up your menu, rates, service area, and availability. 2. **Accept Job Requests** — Customers send meal prep session requests through the app. Accept the job or chat with them to suggest changes. 3. **Cook Your Heart Out** — Drive to the customer's location and cook the menu requested in the app. Leave the kitchen as you found it. 4. **Get Paid** — Payments are processed through Stripe, typically within 2 business days after the session. ## What Customers Get in a Visit A typical chef visit lasts two to three hours. During that time, the chef prepares multiple recipes, each yielding four portions: - **2 recipes package** — up to 8 meals - **3 recipes package** — up to 12 meals (most common visit) - **4 recipes package** — up to 16 meals - **5 recipes package** — up to 20 meals Each recipe yields 4 meals. A typical visit with 3 recipes produces 12 meals total. The visit includes meal planning, cooking, portioning food into containers, and full kitchen cleanup. Your kitchen may even be cleaner than before your chef arrived. ## Booking Types ### One-Time Booking Book a chef for a single cooking session. Great for trying the service, special occasions, or occasional meal prep. ### Repeat Weekly Booking Schedule a chef on a recurring weekly basis for consistent meal prep without manual rebooking. Benefits include: - 10% discount on every session - Dedicated time slot with your preferred chef - Reschedule or skip a session anytime using the app - No commitment — cancel the series anytime - Meals become more personalized over time as your chef learns your preferences ## Pricing - Each chef sets their own pricing based on their expertise, menu offerings, and services. - Pricing is transparent and displayed clearly on each chef's profile during the booking process. - Prices are for the entire visit, not per hour. - There are no hidden fees or surprises. - On average, chefs receive 80–90% of what you pay. The remaining portion covers platform costs such as payment processing, customer support, background checks, and technology. - Tipping is optional. Chefs set their own rates, so there is no expectation of tips. If you'd like to show extra appreciation, you can add a tip directly through the app and 100% goes to the chef. - Starting rates begin at $65 per session. ## Groceries By default, customers handle their own grocery shopping. After booking, the app provides a customized grocery list with exact ingredients and quantities needed for your selected recipes. You can shop anywhere you prefer. Some chefs also offer grocery pickup as an additional service. If available, it is listed on their profile. When grocery pickup is selected: - A grocery pickup fee is charged by Viva Chefs - The grocery bill is charged separately - Your chef shops for all required ingredients based on your menu selections ## Cuisines Available Chefs on the platform offer a wide variety of cuisines including: - North Indian - South Indian - Fusion - WFPB (Whole Food Plant-Based) - Thai - Brazilian - Mexican - Mediterranean - French - American - Chinese - Italian - Indo-Chinese - Persian - Korean ## Dietary Accommodations Chefs can accommodate most dietary needs and restrictions including: - Vegetarian - Vegan - Keto - Whole30 - Gluten-free - Allergen-friendly meals - Family-friendly options - Any custom dietary preferences Discuss your specific needs with your chef during booking or through the in-app chat. ## Service Areas Viva Chefs currently operates in the following regions across the United States: ### California — San Francisco Bay Area San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Fremont, Oakland, Dublin, Hayward, Milpitas, Redwood City, Santa Clara, Berkeley, Foster City, Union City, Campbell, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Saratoga, and many more Bay Area cities. ### California — Los Angeles Area Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Torrance, West Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Arcadia, Diamond Bar, Malibu, Calabasas, and many more LA-area cities. ### Colorado — Denver Area Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Thornton, Littleton, Englewood, Northglenn, Wheat Ridge, Greenwood Village, and surrounding cities. ### New Jersey / New York Area Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Weehawken, Secaucus, Edgewater, West New York, Union City (NJ), New York (NY), and surrounding cities. ### Texas — Austin Area Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Lakeway, Hutto, Buda, and surrounding cities. New areas are added regularly. Enter your street address on the website or app to check availability in your area. ## Events and Gatherings Viva Chefs offers personal chef services for special events and gatherings. Let a chef handle everything from custom menus to clean-up, so you can relax and enjoy your celebration. ### How Events Work 1. **Tell us about your event** — Fill out a quick form with your date, guest count, and preferences. 2. **Get a custom menu** — Chefs craft a tailored menu based on your tastes and dietary needs. 3. **We handle the rest** — From grocery shopping to plating and clean-up, everything is taken care of. ### Occasions Served - Brunches and Supper Clubs - Bridal Showers and Weddings - Birthdays and Anniversaries - Family Gatherings - BBQ and Summer Gatherings - Corporate Dining and Events The service includes grocery shopping, on-site meal preparation or drop-off delivery, plating, and clean-up. Optional serving staff and rental coordination are available. ## Referral Program Share Viva Chefs with friends and earn rewards. When your referrals book their first chef, they receive a discount off their first order, and you get credit toward your next booking. Referral links are available in the app. ## Chef Trust and Safety All chefs on the platform undergo a rigorous vetting process: - Background checks - In-depth interviews - Culinary skill assessment - Training and guidelines - Ongoing reviews and monitoring ## Kitchen Requirements Your chef will use your kitchen and standard cooking tools. Recommended items to have available: - Pots and pans - Cutting board - Basic utensils and knives - Cooking oil - Common spices - Food storage containers Most chefs are experienced working in kitchens of all sizes. If you have concerns about your kitchen setup, discuss it with your chosen chef before booking. ## Payments - All payments are processed securely through Stripe within the app. No cash payments are accepted. - When you place a booking, a temporary hold (authorization) is placed for the full amount. You are only charged once the chef accepts your booking. - If the chef declines or does not respond, the hold is automatically released. - Payment methods can be managed in the Payment Settings section of the app. ## Cancellation Policy - 48 hours notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling. - Full refund (minus transaction fee) with 48+ hours notice for customer cancellations. - Full refund with no deductions if the chef cancels. - Changes made less than 48 hours in advance may incur up to 100% of the booking fees. - Weekly subscription bookings are exempt from the 48-hour notice policy, providing added flexibility. ## Refund Policy - **Customer cancellations:** Full refund with 48-hour notice minus a transaction fee. - **Chef cancellations:** Full refund with no deductions. - **Taste preferences:** No automatic refunds for meals that do not meet personal taste expectations. However, contacting support at contact@vivachefs.com may result in a partial or full refund on a case-by-case basis. ## Becoming a Viva Chef Viva Chefs connects chefs to a growing network of customers who want home-cooked food. Key benefits: - **Earn $500+ per day** - **Work in your spare time** — full-time or part-time, set your own hours - **Be your own boss** — you are an independent contractor with full control over your schedule - **Customers who appreciate your craft** - **Set your own rates** — pricing based on your experience and the value you provide - **Define your service area** — set a maximum travel distance from your home base - **Manage your own menu** — list the recipes and cuisines you specialize in You do not need to be a professional chef. As long as you have a passion for cooking, are highly organized, and adaptable, you can succeed. ### Chef Earnings Calculator An earnings calculator is available at /become-a-chef/calculator to help chefs estimate potential monthly income based on their schedule and pricing. ### Chef Payment - Payments are processed through Stripe within a few business days after completing a job. - Independent contractors receive a 1099 form for tax purposes if they meet the minimum earnings threshold for the year. ### Chef Apps - **iOS:** Viva Chefs Pro on the App Store — https://apps.apple.com/us/app/viva-chefs-pro/id6587563497 - **Android:** Viva Chefs Pro on Google Play — https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vivachefs.chef ## Customer App and Website Viva Chefs works best on the mobile app, which provides the full experience for booking visits, customizing menus, chatting with chefs, and accessing grocery lists. The website at https://www.vivachefs.com also supports browsing chefs, reading reviews, and learning about the service. ## Core Values - **Trust** — Transparency, reliability, and professionalism to build lasting trust between customers and chefs. - **Personalization** — Every meal is tailored to individual tastes, dietary needs, and preferences through direct, one-on-one interactions with chefs. - **Convenience** — From planning to cleanup, every aspect of the dining experience is streamlined to fit seamlessly into busy lives. - **Empowerment** — Chefs get the chance to grow their businesses, earn additional income, and connect directly with customers in a low-stress space. - **Simplicity** — Easy onboarding, booking, and communication with a user-friendly platform designed for stress-free experiences. - **Community** — A sense of belonging where meaningful connections between chefs and customers thrive. ## About the Founders ### Ravi Yatnalkar — Co-Founder and CEO Born and brought up in Pune, India, Ravi helped run his family's food catering business before moving to the US. When his newborn arrived, meal prep became an impossible task, sparking the idea for Viva Chefs. ### Vaibhav Mistry — Co-Founder and COO It started with Vaibhav's mom worrying about whether he was eating well amid his packed schedule. He asked: what if there was a platform where people who want to eat at home but don't have time to cook could easily find personal chefs? That question became Viva Chefs. Together, combining engineering, operations, and deep food industry roots, they built a platform that helps people reclaim their time and empowers chefs to grow their businesses while fostering meaningful connections. ## Advisors - **Anand Chhatpar** — Growth engineer and tech founder with multiple exits. Grew multiple products from thousands to millions of users. - **Jessica Reid** — Marketer, entrepreneur, and advocate for sustainable food systems. Partner at Freeland Spirits, an award-winning, women-owned distillery. - **Rachel Aronow** — Culinary Innovation Strategist. Expertise in food operations, sustainability, and technology, with achievements in waste reduction and revenue growth. ## Frequently Asked Questions — For Customers ### General **What is Viva Chefs?** Viva Chefs connects you with skilled personal chefs who cook fresh, homemade meals right in your kitchen. Whether you need weekly meal prep or occasional cooking help, chefs create delicious, customized meals for your family. **How does Viva Chefs work?** 1. Find a Chef — Browse experienced, background-checked chefs. 2. Send a Request — Make a booking and confirm your appointment. 3. Get Ready — Select from the chef's menu, download your grocery list, and have ingredients ready. 4. Enjoy Your Meals — The chef cooks everything in your kitchen, fresh and hassle-free. **How much does it cost?** Each chef sets their own pricing, which is listed on their profile. The pricing is for the entire visit, not per hour. **What types of meals can chefs cook?** Chefs offer a variety of cuisines and can tailor meals to your preferences, including vegetarian, keto, Whole30, and family-friendly options. You can browse their menus before booking and request specific recipes. **Do I need to provide groceries?** By default, customers handle grocery shopping using the grocery list feature in the app. Some chefs offer grocery pickup as an additional service. **Do I need to tip the chef?** Tipping is optional. If you'd like to show extra appreciation, you can add a tip through the app and 100% goes to the chef. ### Booking and Scheduling **How do I book a chef?** Browse available chefs, check their menus and reviews, and send a booking request through the app. The chef will confirm your request. **Do I need to commit to a subscription?** No subscription is required. Book chefs as needed — for a one-time meal prep session or a recurring service. **Can I schedule recurring meal prep?** Yes. Many customers book weekly or bi-weekly sessions with their favorite chefs. Set up repeat bookings easily through the platform. **What is the difference between a One-time booking and a Repeat Weekly booking?** A One-time booking is for a single session. A Repeat Weekly booking schedules a chef on a recurring basis with a 10% discount, dedicated time slot, easy rescheduling, and no commitment. ### Kitchen and Cleaning **Will the chef clean my kitchen after cooking?** Yes, chefs clean all utensils and the kitchen area they used. Your kitchen will be spotless. **What if I don't have certain kitchen tools?** Chefs work with what is available. Basic cooking tools (pots, pans, knives, cutting boards) are recommended. Your chef can suggest alternatives if something is missing. ### Ingredients and Portioning **How much food will the chef prepare?** Packages range from 2 recipes (8 meals) to 5 recipes (20 meals). Each recipe yields 4 portions. **Can I ask the chef to cook extra quantity?** Yes. The chef will assess the additional amount and provide a quote. Discuss this in advance to ensure they can accommodate your request. **How do I know how much ingredients to buy?** Select your menu in the app and it generates a grocery list with exact quantities for each ingredient. ### Chef Experience and Trust **Are the chefs background-checked?** Yes. All chefs go through a background check and vetting process to ensure professionalism and quality service. **Can I request the same chef for every visit?** Absolutely. If you love a chef's cooking, book them again through the platform. **What if I have dietary restrictions?** Chefs accommodate most dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, keto, and allergy-friendly meals. Discuss your preferences when booking. ### Payments and Policies **How do I pay?** All payments are processed securely through Stripe within the app. No cash payments accepted. **When is my card charged?** A temporary hold is placed when you book. You are only charged once the chef accepts. If the chef declines, the hold is released. **How much of what I pay goes to the chef?** On average, chefs receive 80–90% of what you pay. They set their own rates. ## Frequently Asked Questions — For Chefs ### Being a Chef **How do I become a Viva Chef?** Sign up through the app, complete the onboarding process, and once approved, start accepting bookings. **Is this contract work?** Yes. Viva Chefs are independent contractors with the flexibility to manage their own schedule. **Do I need to be a professional chef?** No. A passion for cooking, strong organization skills, and adaptability are what matter. **Can I set my own hours?** Yes. Work full-time or part-time with complete control over your availability. ### Setting Up Your Profile **How do I set up my menu?** Create and customize your menu through the app by listing the recipes and cuisines you specialize in. **How do I set my rates?** Set rates in the app for 2, 3, 4, or 5 recipe packages. The most popular options customers choose are 3 and 4 recipes. An earnings calculator is available to help. **How do I manage my calendar?** Use General Availability under your profile to set availability, block personal time, and manage bookings. **How do I set my service area?** Define the areas you serve and set a maximum travel distance from your home base in your profile settings. ### Grocery Shopping **Who handles the grocery shopping?** The customer handles their own grocery shopping based on the automatically generated ingredients list. Some chefs offer grocery pickup as an additional service. ### Cooking **How much food do I need to cook?** Prepare 6 to 8 servings for each recipe, approximately 35–40 oz of food per recipe. **Do I need to clean up?** Yes. Leave the kitchen clean after cooking. You are responsible for cleaning the dishes and items you used during meal preparation. **Should I store food in containers?** Yes. Store prepared food in the customer's containers. Ask where their containers are and package food for easy storage and reheating. ### Payment **How do I get paid?** Through Stripe after you complete a job, typically within a few business days. **Will I receive a 1099 form?** Yes, if you meet the minimum earnings threshold for the year. ## Blog and Recipes Viva Chefs publishes blog posts with recipes, cooking tips, chef stories, and culinary inspiration at /blog. A recipe collection organized by cuisine is available at /recipes. ## Customer Reviews Authentic customer reviews about food quality, service, and chef professionalism are available at /reviews. ## Press and Media Press and media resources including information for press inquiries, interviews, and collaborations are available at /media.