The meals you want.We handle the rest.

Your chef sends a custom menu based on your preferences, shops for groceries, prepares all selected meals in your home kitchen, packages them according to your preferences and cleans the workspace before leaving.

Weekly full-service meal preparation starts at $350 per chef service, plus groceries. The minimum service includes three customized meals with two servings each. Your final price depends on household size, meal count, portion size, extras and dietary complexity.

MCS serves households throughout Northern Virginia, Washington, DC and nearby Maryland. Contact us with your ZIP code to confirm availability.

Yes. A one-time trial service is available with a $30 setup fee, which is refunded if service continues. You may also book a set number of services as a trial period. Availability is first come, first served, and the standard cancellation policy applies.

Yes. Occasional service is available based on chef availability and includes a $30 occasional-service fee. Ask us about dinner events and cooking lessons as well.

We’ll determine your service size and frequency, then send a quote through Jobber. Approve the quote, submit the grocery deposit, save your payment method, complete the food preference questionnaire and sign the Chef Service Agreement. These steps must be completed at least seven days before your start date. Once complete, your date is reserved and your chef will contact you for menu planning.

Your chef will send a custom menu before each service. You may select from the menu, request favorites or share recipes. Please respond by the chef’s stated deadline so there is enough time to plan and shop. If selections are late, a standard menu may be assigned or the service may need to be rescheduled.

Yes. Menus are customized to your household and reviewed by our lead Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. We’ll discuss allergies, restrictions, preferences and nutrition goals during the consultation.

Portions are based on your preferences, whether you want portion control or heartier servings. Your chef will fine-tune them over the first several services. Larger portions increase grocery costs, and extra-large portions, additional protein or extra servings may include an added fee.

Usually, yes, with at least 48 hours’ notice. Last-minute changes may result in additional preparation or shopping fees. The company minimum remains three meals with two servings each at $350 plus groceries.

Groceries are billed separately from the chef service fee. The grocery deposit is an estimate held on file for advance purchases, while each invoice reflects the actual grocery cost. Grocery spending varies with your menu, portions and service size.

The first service may require pantry basics such as salt, pepper, oil, flour, sugar or spices. Tell your chef what you already have and leave those items where they can be easily found to help avoid duplicate purchases.

Yes. Ask your chef to show you the receipts during the cook session, or request an accounting from MCS. You may photograph receipts for your records, but the chef must retain the originals because purchases are made on the company card.

Yes, although the chef service fee does not change. Tell your chef what you are providing when you submit your menu choices. MCS cannot assume responsibility for the quality or safety of client-supplied food, and an extra trip to the store caused by missing items may result in an additional fee.

Chefs plan and shop for several clients, so they cannot provide or review cross-checked grocery lists after menus are selected. You can note pantry staples on your food preference questionnaire and tell your chef what you have on hand while reviewing the menu.

Clients are generally scheduled on a recurring weekly cook day. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are in especially high demand and may have a waiting list. Weekly services are generally prioritized earlier in the week, while biweekly services may be scheduled later, depending on availability.

No. Being home for the first service can be helpful so you can orient the chef to your kitchen, review storage preferences and taste the finished meals. If you will not be home, make sure the chef has reliable access. Fees may apply if the chef cannot enter for the scheduled appointment.

Your chef will provide a usual arrival window. Timing may vary because grocery shopping happens before the chef reaches your home, and some chefs cook in the morning while others cook in the afternoon. If the session overlaps dinnertime, you may ask to have one meal ready, although plated service and cleanup of those dishes are not included.

Please provide a clean kitchen with no dirty dishes in the sink before the chef arrives. Additional cleaning may result in a fee. Normal wear on cooking equipment is expected, and for safety, chefs keep their shoes on while cooking but take care to keep them clean.

Of course. To help your chef stay focused and finish on schedule, please keep conversation unrelated to the service to a minimum during active cooking. Cleanup time is usually a better opportunity to chat after the meals are fully prepared.

MCS requires seven days’ notice to cancel or reschedule an individual service and 30 days’ notice to cancel the service agreement. If you pause for more than two services, your recurring slot may need to be offered to another client. You may pay the service fee to hold the slot or ask about gifting a service to a friend.

Within a few days after service, payment is collected automatically using the payment method stored in our secure system. Your invoice may include the service fee, actual grocery costs, confirmed extras, applicable travel or one-time service fees and any payment-processing fee.

Gratuity is never required, but it is always appreciated. You may tip your chef directly or ask MCS to process it for you. One hundred percent of the tip goes to your chef.