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, but you don’t know what to cook. Our menus go beyond the classics (though there’s nothing wrong with a roast chicken, and we’ve got a menu for that). Our goal is to make a gathering memorable by making the intangible element of delicious food completely tangible. We choose food by season, region, or culture to create a cohesive menu. We know how to balance flavors as well as the pacing of the night through the dishes we select and the dining format that we suggest. Get adventurous yourself, or 

 one of these lineups. Either way, these spreads are destined to impress and leave you and your guests dreaming of one more bite.

10 Totally Unique Dinner Party Menus

Dinner Test

Our booking policy is flexible, so don't worry if these details change. Our chef services are available in 

, though many Culinista® chefs are happy to travel. For services outside of these areas, 

Please enjoy $100 off gatherings of 12 people or more. Discount automatically applied. 

Gatherings

Meal Prep

A Season or Long Term

Cooking Classes

Chef Services Overview

The Culinistas is a resource that gives everyone the freedom and confidence to connect around a meal.

Our optional drinks service includes up to 2 drinks plus waitstaff who will arrive 1 hour before guests and provide 4 hours of service. Additional time will be billed at $60/hour. The Culinistas will provide ice and non-alcoholic ingredients. The host is responsible for providing alcohol.

Dairy

Eggs

Fish

Gluten

Sesame

Alliums

You bring the jazzy playlist. We’ll handle the rest.

This Steakhouse Menu Brings the Sizzle Home 

Consider these five factors, and you’ll never stress about the last course. 

How to Pick the Perfect Dinner Party Dessert

7 Postpartum-Friendly Dishes For Your Fourth Trimester

Stop refreshing your reservation app and kickstart your day from the comfort of home with these cozy menus. We’re playing the hits with fluffy ricotta pancakes, veggie-laden frittatas, granola butter for your toast, and a Calabrian egg salad. Round up your sleepy-eyed friends or make it a family affair: we think these spreads will please any crowd. What’s better? Only waking up to a 

. Two hour wait time—we don’t do that anymore.

Set your Alarm for these 8 Brunch Menus 

Yes, you should be having fun at your own party.

The Culinistas’ Ultimate Guide to Hosting

No place at the table for gluten? These menus are up for the challenge.

We are tired of gluten-free meals that fall flat. These menus reset the bar, relying on aromatics, spice combos, and creative substitutions so they don’t need gluten to stand on their own. Creamy dips and colorful crudités steal the show; herb-laden dressings take grain bowls to new heights, and desserts use alt flours to enhance textures. Try your hand or 

, but either way, you’re in the clear to invite your pickiest eaters and pasta-loving friends.

10 Gluten Free Menus That Everyone at the Table Will Love

Pick your next trip or reminisce about your most recent one with these menus. An expanded palate is a way to expand the mind so we collaborated with chefs whose regional expertise guided each dish. Unique ingredients, flavor combinations, and methods make themselves at home when cooked from your own kitchen, either by you or 

This is placeholder DEK copy for a menu listicle hero card.

10 Menus for Traveling the Globe Without Leaving Your Kitchen

Don’t be intimidated: this Spanish classic can be conquered at home, even without a paella pan.

How to Make Paella at Home

You’ll be slinging pies like a pizzaiolo in no time.

How to Make Pizza in the Oven

Caramelized, juicy, and perfectly tender every time

How to Sear Steak Like a Chef

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, mangiamo!

Having an Italian Dinner Party? Here's What to Serve.

Menu Ideas

How Tos & Inspiration

Gail Simmons

Top Chef

Dana Cowin

Food & Wine

Gwyneth Parltrow

Goop

Low Carb

Low Sugar

High Protein

Vegetarian

Vegan

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Low Fat

High Fat

Pears with Currants

Cauliflower Steaks with Pomegranate

Berry Bowl

Beet Chips & Dip

Mushroom Pot Pie

Lemony Pasta Fagioli

Chocolate Zucchini Snack Cake

Roast Chicken with Spring Vegetables

Sweet Pea Hummus & Crudités

Salmon Salmagundi ($)

Sweet Potato & Fennel Soup

Power Green Salad

Sticky Salmon & Broccolini

Zucchini Nuggets

If you have questions or concerns about your bill, please contact accounting@theculinistas.com.

We thoroughly review all preferences and thoughtfully match you with a chef to meet those needs. If you are unhappy with the match for any reason, 

Yes! We do receive requests for chefs outside of our core service areas, whether for seasonal work, short term travel, or long term, salaried positions.

All services are billed with 20% gratuity included, 100% of which will go to your Culinista chef. While there is no expectation to do so, you are welcome to provide an additional cash tip for extraordinary service.

In general, we’re happy to source another chef who is a better fit. 

 and select from our three Class Menus—Paella Party, Steak Night, and Pizza Party—which are carefully designed to teach you our Culinista Keys. We’ll show you how to create a balanced menu, master mise en place, improvise with confidence, and streamline your time in the kitchen. There are options for customization within each menu.

Culinista chefs hail from top restaurants and culinary schools around the country. They help celebrate our culinary methods and approach to hospitality. We thoroughly vet every chef on our platform, including background checks and a cooking interview. We handpick the right chefs for you based on their skills and your needs.

You are able to skip, pause, or deactivate your weekly service at any time using your client dashboard prior to 48 hours before your next service. At 48 hours prior to your next service, your service is confirmed and your service fee is nonrefundable. If you cancel within 48 hours of service, you will be charged the full service fee plus any charges incurred by the chef, including groceries and travel at the company’s discretion.

At 24 hours prior to your next service, if you have not yet selected your weekly menu, your service will be canceled and you will be charged the full service fee. Culinista chefs need a menu to grocery shop and plan, and without enough notice, your service cannot be executed properly.

If someone in your household is sick or in case of medical emergency, we will attempt to reschedule at the chef’s convenience within six days of your original service date. This is upon company discretion, and you may be held responsible for the full service fee. If the chef is unavailable for a rescheduled service, we will send you a different chef at the company’s discretion. If you are unable to reschedule within six days of your original service date, you will still be charged the full service fee.

The Culinistas is committed to offering chefs a flexible work schedule that fits their needs; therefore compensation varies widely and is dependent on the chef’s availability. Some chefs on our platform earn $2,000 a week working for The Culinistas on the side, and others earn $20,000 a month during a busy summer season.

Compensation starts at $175 for meal prep services and $350 for gatherings. Seasonal market and specialty day rates start at $500 per day. Full time roles typically start at $120K per year. All compensation is dependent upon experience, tenure at the company, and household size and needs.


Yes, we encourage Culinista chefs to work in multiple markets. We especially invite chefs across all markets to join us for our busy summer season in the Hamptons.

Certain ingredients in these dishes may make them more costly—and increase your total grocery bill—so we wanted to let you know.

The Culinistas HQ is a talented and passionate team of culinary, editorial, operations, customer service, and marketing professionals. View our open roles 

Our services fall into four main categories: 

. For more information on each, explore the links above and refer to the relevant FAQ sections on this page.

We develop all our recipes and menus with a grocery list in mind, and Culinista chefs are trained to shop so that they always have the correct items and the appropriate quantities to execute your service. For these reasons, we greatly prefer that the chefs shop for their services.

The weekly meal prep service includes a Culinista chef grocery shopping for you and coming to your home to prepare six dishes that can be mixed and matched for 3-4 meals throughout the week. 

We recommend choosing dishes that work in pairs or trios as full menus, or mix and match to cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert.

Yes, our goal is to make it easier for you and your family to enjoy dinner together. Our large size accommodates families of up to six people. If your family is larger than six people, please fill out a 

 and we will provide you with a custom quote.

The Culinistas’ referral program allows us to reward our community for referring friends and loved ones to The Culinistas, while welcoming new clients with a gift toward their first gathering.

Culinista chefs shop locally at our favorite grocers and farmers markets. They shop specifically for you and are happy to accommodate your preferences. They source the freshest and most nutrient-dense items they can find, striving to buy organic and non-GMO produce whenever possible.

Gatherings start at $500 (based on guest count) plus groceries, sales tax and a $15 travel reimbursement. We automatically add 20% chef gratuity to all gatherings (i.e. $100 for $500 base rate).

Our chef services are available in the NYC metro area, the Hamptons, LA, and the D.C. metro area, though many Culinista® chefs are happy to travel. For services outside of these areas, 

Grocery costs will vary depending on your service area and menu selection. The below ranges are meant as general guides:

Yes! Your Culinista chef will plate and serve your meal. If your gathering requires additional waitstaff, we’ll staff a reliable server from our trusted network.

If anything about your service wasn’t quite right, please 

Congratulations! Once your referee has successfully completed their first gathering, you’ll receive an email letting you know that $100 of Culinista credits have been added to your account.

We require 48 hours prior notice to cancel any service without charge. Within 48 hours of your service, your service may be nonrefundable. Please see below for our service-specific cancellation policies.

If someone in your household is sick or in case of medical emergency, we will attempt to reschedule at the chef’s convenience within six days of your original service date. This is upon company discretion, and you may be held responsible for the full service fee. If the chef is unavailable for a rescheduled service, we will send you a different chef at the company’s discretion. If you are unable to reschedule within six days of your original service date, you will be charged the full service fee.

You are able to cancel your service at any time prior to 48 hours before your guest arrival time free of charge. If you cancel for any reason between 48 hours and 24 hours before your guest arrival time, you will be charged 50% of the service fee to partially compensate your chef. If you cancel within 24 hours of guest arrival time, you will be charged the full service fee plus any charges incurred by the chef, inclusive of groceries and travel at the company’s discretion.

All Culinista cooking services happen in the client’s home. Most chefs prefer to bring their knives–all other tools and appliances will usually be provided.

” and enter your email address connected to your account. Instructions will be sent to your email to reset your password.

Our chef services are available in the NYC metro area, the Hamptons, LA, the D.C. metro area, S.F., and Austin, though many Culinista® chefs are happy to travel. For services outside of these areas, 

All services will be billed with 20% gratuity included, 100% of which will go to your Culinista chef. While there is no expectation to do so, you are welcome to provide an additional cash tip for extraordinary service.

Our seasonal and long term chef services are available all over the world. Our roster of chefs are largely based in the New York metro area, the D.C. metro area, and Los Angeles, but many are excited to travel. To find a chef in your area, 

If you’ve received a Culinistas gift card, congratulations! To redeem, simply 

 and use this email address when prompted to log in or create an account. You can apply your full balance to your service total or just a portion. Your gift card balance will appear as Culinista credits in the Payments section of your Account Dashboard.

Culinista credits can be earned through successful referrals, gift certificates, and hospitality offers. To view your available Culinista credits, head to your Account Dashboard and select Culinista Credits. Here, you can view your available balance, referrals, and promo codes. When you’re ready to redeem your credit, begin booking your next service. At checkout, scroll to Payment Details and check “Apply credits to my total” where you can specify the amount you’d like to redeem.

Cooking class menus include four dishes: one appetizer to be enjoyed before and during the cooking demo, one dish to be demo-ed, and two dishes that will be prepared ahead of time and served with the demo dish.

Our Culinista chefs have diverse backgrounds, including nutrition certifications and Michelin-starred restaurant experience. Their degrees are from schools like the Culinary Institute of America and Cornell's elite hospitality program.

The Client Services team will present service opportunities to you based on your location and availability. You will always have the option to accept or decline a request based on your schedule and needs. Once matched with a meal prep client, you will automatically be scheduled with them on a weekly basis unless you need a substitute.

Your credit card will be charged within 2-3 business days after your service.

Our cooking classes can accommodate up to 12 people.

Gift cards are delivered to the recipient via email. When you checkout, you can select the date you’d like the card to be delivered. If you’d prefer to print the card and give it to the recipient manually, simply send the card to your own email address.

Culinista chefs start as early as 9 a.m. and as late as 3 p.m. Chefs are available seven days a week. You set the time that works best for you.

Our weekly meal prep service allows you to select favorite menus and dishes from past services. When making selections for your upcoming meal prep service, you have the option to “favorite” past dishes. To see your favorites, head to your Account Dashboard and select Favorites. Here, you can sort through your favorite menus and dishes.

No. Unlike a traditional staffing agency, The Culinistas is a full-service private chef and culinary company that develops recipes, designs menus, vets chefs, and personalizes our services for every client. Our dedicated client services team handles every step of your experience, including scheduling, chef selection, menu selection, and billing.

Email us at q@theculinistas.com to use a promo code for your service.

When booking your gathering service, you will be able to explore and 

. If you’re looking to customize a single dish, proceed with your booking by selecting the required six dishes, then add a note to modify or swap one with your choice.

We created The Culinistas to make it easier for chefs to do what they love, no matter what stage they are at in their careers. Our HQ team handles the booking, menu planning, billing, and logistics with household clients, so Culinista® chefs can focus on cooking and hospitality. We offer flexibility for those who want it, and stability for those looking for a consistent schedule.

Pricing for these services is determined case by case. Please 

The first step to becoming a Culinista chef is filling out 

. Once we have received your application, we will…

Schedule a 30-minute phone interview to let you know more about the company and and to learn more about you.

For VIP consideration (i.e. summer Hamptons, winter in Aspen, long term placements), ask you to provide up to three references and create sample menus based on different household scenarios.

Complete a 90-minute in person cooking interview. We send you two Culinista recipes the day prior so that you can review and create your prep list. We grocery shop ahead of time, you show up with your knives and other tools you carry in your knife roll. You have 90 minutes to cook, clean and pack up the food (including labeling each dish), emulating a mini meal prep service.

Complete a background check and attend our virtual best practices session.

Our postpartum meal prep service is one of our most popular gifting options. To gift a postpartum meal prep, 

Culinista Kitchen® cooking classes start at  $500 (based on guest count) plus groceries, sales tax and a $15 travel reimbursement. We automatically add 20% chef gratuity to all cooking classes.

 to select from one of our many menus and customize it to your liking.

Cooking classes include personalized instruction by a Culinista chef, plus four family style dishes to be enjoyed by you and up to 11 guests.

Weekly service starts at $250. Additional costs include groceries (dependent on size & dish selection), $50 tip, a $15 travel reimbursement for your chef, and tax. Select markets may be priced higher.

Households larger than six people may require more time from a chef, so we price those services on a case by case basis. 

Yes, we have many seasonal opportunities available. Summer in the Hamptons is our busiest seasonal market.

Upon checking out to book your service, scroll down to “Anything else we should know about your gathering?” where you can input your custom dish as a note.

We work with trusted local partners in each of our service areas who will be happy to recommend wines based on your menu and coordinate delivery to your home. Feel free to reach out to the below businesses—let them know we sent you!

No problem! You can update your preferred start date via your Account Dashboard any time, as long as it’s more than 48 hours before your service. On the left-hand side menu, select Your Services > Weekly Meal Prep. Here, you can edit your Service Settings.

The most successful chefs on our platform:

Are trained via culinary school and/or restaurant kitchens

Have a combination of fine dining and private chef experience

Have at least 3 years of professional kitchen experience

Are comfortable cooking in high net worth households

Are flexible, adaptable & highly organized

Culinista® chefs are naturally courteous, service-oriented, socially adaptable, organized, flexible and fun.

You can book your postpartum meal prep service as early as you’d like! If you’re earlier than your third trimester, we’ll send you an email when it’s closer to your due date, reminding you to select your dishes and update your preferred start date in the “Your Services” section of your Account Dashboard.

Deactivating your account will indefinitely pause your services until you choose to reactivate your account, and you will be logged out. You can reactivate by emailing 

Deleting your account will cancel your services and permanently delete all client information, including past services, culinary and household preferences, contact information, etc. This action cannot be undone.

Our chef services are available in the NYC metro area, the Hamptons, LA, and the D.C. metro area, though we fill requests for chefs outside of these areas (from New Jersey to Nice).

Referral gifts are valid for three months. If your referee does not have a reason to host within that timeframe, you may refer them again.

Culinista chefs are happy to help you make the holidays as seamless as possible. Chef availability may be limited during the holidays, so it’s best to 

 well in advance. Higher rates may apply.

In the rare event that your chef has to cancel, we will make every effort to reassign you a chef. Depending on the amount of notice, we may need to adjust your weekly meal prep date or time.

Gift cards expire one year from the date of delivery.

, our postpartum meal prep service includes a Culinista chef grocery shopping for you and coming to your home to prepare six dishes that can be mixed and matched for 3-4 meals throughout the week.

For postpartum parents and families, we recommend choosing dishes from our postpartum collection, which are designed to support your unique nutritional needs. We recommend choosing dishes that work in pairs or trios as full menus, or mix and match to cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert.

To update your payment method, log into your account and head to your Account Dashboard. In the drop down menu, select Payments. Under “Payment Methods” you can input or modify your existing card information.

Our gathering menus are designed with one starter to sate guests upon arrival, four family style dishes to cover proteins, grains and starches, leafy vegetables, and hearty vegetables, and a dessert. This formula also helps us staff your gathering with the minimal number of chefs so you feel comfortable and least imposed upon in your own home. If you would prefer more dishes, we also offer an extended menu, which you can choose upon booking.

Your Culinista chef is personally shopping for groceries before arrival. Traffic or long lines at the market may cause a delay. If your Culinista chef is going to be more than 30 minutes late, we'll reach out immediately to let you know.

Yes! Anyone with a Culinistas account can make a referral using a unique URL, which can be found in the Culinista Credits section of their Account Dashboard under Referrals.

Once your referree has successfully completed their first service, you’ll receive an email letting you know the Culinista credits have been added to your account, which you can apply toward any service.

Nope. Many clients request chef services during working hours. While not required, we recommend being home for your Culinista chef’s first visit to give a tour of your kitchen. If that's not possible, detailed instructions via text or email work just as well.

To create the perfect paella, you’ll need a paella pan; the unique, wide shape allows rice to cook in a thin, even layer resulting in the coveted crispy bottom.

A cast iron pan has superior heat induction, allowing an even and deep caramelization across your steak’s surface area; if you’re partial to classic grill marks, try a cast iron grill pan for in-home grilling.

Not only does a pizza stone evenly retain & distribute heat,  but the unique ceramic composition absorbs moisture to create a crisp crust. A pizza peel makes for easy turning on the stone.

A Culinistas gift card is ideal for anyone in need of nourishment: busy families, new parents, working professionals, recent grads, frequent hosts, or anyone who needs to ease the stress of cooking.

Congratulations! Your referral credit of $100 is valid toward any gathering in our markets (NYC, the Hamptons, L.A., D.C, Austin, and San Francisco). To get started, 

Referrals are valid for $100 off gatherings services only. Learn more about how gatherings work 

If you already have an account under the same email that received the gift card, your gift card balance will appear as Culinista credits in the Payments section of your Account Dashboard. If the gift card was sent to an alternate email address, email 

 and we can move the gift card to your existing account.

Gift cards are non-transferable upon recipient's request. Recipients can email 

Our three cooking class menus—Paella Party, Steak Night, and Pizza Party—are carefully designed to teach you our Culinista Keys. Whichever menu you choose, you may customize it during the booking process. 

Culinista® chefs are paid a $15 travel reimbursement for every service as a stipend for gas, car service, public transit, etc.

The cost of groceries depends on guest count, menu, and service area. An estimated grocery cost will be provided after you 

, in your confirmation email. Your final grocery cost will be charged within two days of your service, along with your service fee.

We require 48 hours notice to cancel any service without charge. Within 48 hours, your service may be nonrefundable. Please see Billing FAQs for our full cancellation policy.

, telling us the details of your gathering and your preferred menu, and we’ll match you with the ideal Culinista chef. Your Culinista chef will arrive with groceries and handle the prep, cooking, serving, and clean up while you enjoy time with your guests.

Yes, we are happy to help chefs find full time work when we receive such requests. If you’re interested in a salaried position on staff with one family, please let us know in your application.

Our postpartum meals are cooked in your home by professional chefs who shop, cook, and clean up. Each dish can be tailored to you, customized to fit you and your household’s needs. Our postpartum collection of dishes are all nutritionally dense, with essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to energize and restore. Lastly, our online booking system makes it easy to select your dishes and let the chef handle the rest.

Current clients can direct friends and family to The Culinistas using a unique URL, which can be found in the Culinista Credits section of their Account Dashboard under Referrals. The URL will allow the new client to receive $100 off a gathering. When the new client successfully completes one gathering, the current client receives $100 toward a service of their choosing.

Culinista chefs shop locally, sourcing fresh, seasonal ingredients, and cook in your own home. No delivery coordinating. No wasteful drop off packaging. No mystery ghost kitchen.

Yes. Clients make selections from menus we design based on over 600 recipes, all of which were developed in house by our culinary team or in collaboration with international consultants. These recipes are designed to ensure that every service is a success.

The Culinistas is a culinary resource that gives everyone the freedom and confidence to connect around a meal.  Through our chef platform, we match vetted private chefs like you with households for in home weekly meal prep, gatherings, and seasonal or long term needs—like full time positions on staff, travel opportunities, and more. As a company built by and for chefs, we aim to take the logistics off Culinista® chefs’ plates so they can provide hospitality and expand their culinary acumen.

Certain ingredients in these dishes may make them more costly—and increase your total grocery bill—so we wanted to let you know. 

Weekly meal preps include six dishes to maximize variety while minimizing your Culinista chef's time in your kitchen. Choose dishes to serve together for a few full meals, or to enhance breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert over the course of the week. 

If your gathering requires an extra set of hands, we’ll staff a reliable server or bartender from our Culinista network. We do not coordinate rentals or decor but can connect you with vetted vendors if you need additional support.

If anything about your class wasn’t quite right, please 

 for a full list of recommendations. Empty the dishwasher and clear out the sink before the chef arrives.

Make sure you have olive oil, salt, pepper, tin foil & parchment paper for cooking, plus, soaps, dish rags, trash bags, and a broom for clean up.

Confirm that stove burners, oven, broiler, and dishwasher work; if something doesn’t work, please let us know in advance.