HYDERABAD: Hyderabad-based startup BookMyChef (BMC) has announced the launch of a new mobile platform for on-demand chef and hospitality services. The app is designed to solve the catering industry struggles to meet the needs of food lovers and small event hosts, resulting in limited options for consumers. The new on-demand app now available on Android and iOS platform brings professional chefs to customers’ kitchens, providing a unique culinary experience.
With this app, the startup aims not only to help customers enjoy delicious, personalised food, cut down on ecological footprint, and support hospitality professionals who are vulnerable to market situations. BookMyChef is bootstrapped by founders Pramod Reddy, Varun Reddy along with co-founder Chef Shankar Krishnamurthy of Fusion 9 fame. BookMyChef was recently selected for India’s longest-running seed accelerated program — Lab32’s 10th Cohort, curated by T-Hub.
“Our mission is to provide a platform for chefs to showcase their interpersonal skills and connect with people who want to savour good food at home. We also want to promote sustainable practices by reducing plastic waste and offering healthy, wellness-integrated food options. At the same time, we aim to create additional income opportunities for hospitality professionals who have been severely affected by the pandemic,” says Shankar Krishnamurthy, co-founder, BookMyChef.
Unique features
The booking process for this on-demand service is simple, where the user needs to register and verify their account. After that, they will need to enter their event date, time, number of guests, and choice of cuisine. The app will then show the user a menu, which the user can choose as per their taste. Before checkout, the user can also opt for additional services for their event, such as a server or a bartender.
The user then pays the booking charges. Once the payment is done, BookMyChef will confirm the booking after assigning a chef to the user. Chefs are compensated as per the effort being made, and their charges are based on the number of items and the number of guests. The company follows a thorough vetting process for all of its chefs, which includes a background check, a review of their culinary training and experience, and including a practical cooking test.
Currently, the MVP (Minimum Viable Product — Beta Version) of the app features four cuisines, including Continental, Oriental, North Indian and South Indian. Users can choose a cuisine and select up to ten items for service and book an event for up to 20 guests. There is no minimum order quantity.
BookMyChef is also set to release a new feature which allows the Users to book chefs for the same day in the next version of the app. Very soon BookMyChef is also introducing a Mobile Kitchen concept which will allow users to book chefs for larger gathering size. Going forward the company will launch its services in Mumbai and Delhi on a pilot basis before establishing a full-fledged operation.