Shef

Shef is an online marketplace that connects local, food safety-certified home cooks with customers looking for authentic, homemade meals delivered to their door.

Founded in 2018 and launched in January 2019, Shef empowers neighborhood chefs, often immigrants or refugees, to turn their culinary skills into small businesses without the overhead of a restaurant. The company operates in 11 states plus Washington, D.C., and has facilitated over 1.6 million meal deliveries. Shef's mission is to make homemade food more accessible and affordable while creating economic opportunities for local chefs. Customers can enjoy a variety of authentic dishes prepared in small batches, delivered in refrigerated boxes for easy heating at home. Shef also provides tools for cooks, including menu formation and marketing support, ensuring that all meals are prepared safely and with care.