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Founding statusFounding Chef status: permanent
Every chef approved before public launch is a Founding Chef for good. It's locked in on your account. It's not a trial label. It stays.
Founding Local Chefs: Applications Open
Rhode Island’s private-chef network is forming now.
We’re welcoming Rhode Island chefs to build their profiles before bookings open. Showcase your menus, set your availability, and join the founding community helping shape LocalChef from the beginning.
For Rhode Islanders
Be among the first to book a chef
Sign up here and we’ll email you the day LocalChef goes live. After receiving the email, create your free profile and start booking local chefs for meals and special occasions.
Why join now
Be one of the chefs we build with.
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88% plus every tipYou keep 88%, and all of the tip
You set your list price. As a founding chef LocalChef takes a 12 percent partner fee from it, locked in permanently, rather than the standard rate everyone gets after the first 50. Nothing at all comes off tips, and we only earn when you get booked.
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Shape the productHelp decide what launches with us
Menu builder, multi-course meal types, dietary policies: we ship the marketplace with what founding chefs tell us they actually need.
What you get on day one
Tools built for working chefs.
Full profile builder
Bio, signature dishes, multi-course meals, photo gallery, service area, availability. All editable.
Reviewed before you go live
A LocalChef admin reviews and approves your profile before any guest can see or book it.
Customer requests in your inbox
Rhode Islanders request you directly. You see the brief, accept, and confirm details.
Paid out fast, tips untouched
Founding chefs keep 88 percent of their list price, locked in permanently, rather than the standard 85 percent, plus 100 percent of voluntary tips.
Control your own schedule
Set the days you take bookings, your radius, your party size limits. Pause anytime.
Common questions from chefs
Things chefs ask before they apply.
How do I get paid?
You receive 85% of your list price plus 100% of any tip, once the booking is confirmed, or 88% if you are a founding chef. Payments are processed securely through Stripe and deposited to your account.
How does the service fee work?
You choose your list price. The 3% LocalChef service fee is added on top of it at checkout, on its own line, and never comes out of your price. LocalChef takes a 15% partner fee from your list price, leaving you 85%, or 88% if you are one of the first 50 founding chefs. Tips are yours in full and taxes are paid by the customer.
Can I set my own prices and availability?
Yes. You control your pricing, your calendar, and which requests you accept.
What does LocalChef provide?
The platform, booking management, customer support, and payment processing, so you can focus on cooking. We bring the guests to you.
How do I set up my profile?
Apply, then build your profile: bio, signature dishes, multi-course meals, and pricing. You can save as you go and publish once verification clears.
Do I need a commercial kitchen?
No. The host provides the kitchen. You bring the food, your tools, and anything else needed to deliver the experience.
Cook on your terms in Rhode Island.
We’re closing founding-chef applications when we hit the chef count we need. Apply now.
Apply to be a chef