5 Tips for Home Cooks on SplitDinner
Whether you're a seasoned chef or someone who just loves cooking, sharing your meals on SplitDinner is a rewarding experience. Here are five tips to help you succeed.
Don't try to be everything to everyone. Start by listing the dishes you're most confident making
- the ones your friends and family always ask for. When you cook something you love, that passion shows in the final product.
- Price Your Meals Fairly
- Calculate your ingredient cost per portion
- Add a reasonable amount for your time and effort
- Compare with similar meals in your area
- Take Great Photos
- and maybe a few orders too. You don't need professional equipment; good lighting and a clean background go a long way.
- Use natural light near a window
- Keep backgrounds simple and uncluttered
- Show the portion size clearly
- Capture steam or freshness when possible
- Communicate Clearly
- Pickup times and locations
- What's included (utensils, sides, etc.)
- Allergens and dietary information
- Reheating instructions
- Build Relationships
- you're potentially making a connection.
- Thank your buyers personally
- Ask for feedback and actually use it
- Consider offering a small bonus for repeat customers
- Remember special requests and preferences
Pro tip: Write a brief story about why this dish is special to you. Buyers love knowing the history behind a meal.
Pricing can be tricky. You want to cover your ingredient costs while keeping meals accessible. Here's a simple formula:
Remember, you're competing with takeout and delivery, not fancy restaurants. Home-cooked meals should feel like a good value.
A picture is worth a thousand words
Quick photo tips:
Set clear expectations about:
Good communication prevents misunderstandings and leads to happy customers who come back again and again.
The magic of SplitDinner is the community aspect. When someone orders from you, you're not just making a transaction
Your neighbors will become your regulars, and those relationships make cooking for others even more rewarding.
Ready to Get Started?
These tips will help you build a reputation as a trusted home cook in your neighborhood. Start small, be consistent, and let your cooking speak for itself.
Happy cooking!