Cooked Nearby - Community Meals, Real Connections

Cooks Nearby,
Food You Love.

Tired of the same old fast food delivery apps lining corporate pockets while serving up processed meals? Cooked Nearby connects you with passionate home cooks in your neighborhood, offering fresh, delicious, and affordable dishes made with love. Support your community, eat real food, and maybe even make some extra cash doing what you love!

* This app is currently in beta and may have some bugs.

Love to Cook? Share Your Passion.

Earn Extra Income

Turn your kitchen skills into a side hustle! Offer your delicious homemade meals to hungry neighbors and earn money doing what you love. Set your own prices and schedule.

Connect with Your Community

Share your culinary creations and build real connections with people nearby. Become a local food hero and foster a stronger, tastier community.

Hungry? Discover Real Home Cooking.

Escape the Fast Food Rut

Say goodbye to greasy takeout and hello to wholesome, home-cooked meals! Find diverse and delicious options made by cooks right in your neighborhood.

Support Local, Not Corporate

Every meal you order on Cooked Nearby directly supports a local cook, not a giant corporation. Feel good about your food choices and invest in your community.

Discover Local Cooks

Easily find talented home cooks in your neighborhood. Browse menus, read profiles, and discover your new favorite meal.

Easy Ordering

Order meals directly through the app with both pickup and delivery options available. When you order, you pay the cook directly using their preferred payment method. Plus, you can browse meals available within a radius of your choice.

Direct Cook Communication

Have questions or special requests? Chat directly with your cook within the app for a personalized experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the app available on Android?

Currently, the app is only available on the Apple App Store for iOS devices. An Android version is coming soon—stay tuned for updates!

How do I place an order?

Browse local meals, select your favorite, and choose either pickup or delivery. When you order, you pay the cook directly using their preferred payment method.

What payment methods are accepted?

Payments are made directly to the cook, so you’ll use the method they accept—whether it’s cash, card, or mobile payment.

Is delivery available?

Currently, the cook determines whether they offer delivery, pickup, or both. The cook will provide specific instructions for fulfilling your order.

How can I find meals near me?

Use our radius search feature to explore meals available within your chosen distance, ensuring you always find options close to home.

Do I need a business license or permit to cook and sell food from my home?

Yes, in California, you’ll need a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MEHKO) permit to legally cook and sell meals from your home kitchen. This permit ensures compliance with local health and safety regulations.

How do I obtain a MEHKO permit?

You can apply for a MEHKO permit through your county's health department in California. The process usually involves filling out an application, paying a fee, and passing a kitchen inspection. For more detailed information, visit mehko.org.

How long does it take and how much does it cost to get a MEHKO permit?

The timeline and fees for obtaining a MEHKO permit vary by county. Typically, the application process takes a few weeks, and permit fees usually range between $100 and $500 annually. We recommend contacting your local county health department for exact details or visit mehko.org

Learn About MEHKO & Home-Based Cooking

Discover essential resources about MEHKO permits, regulations, and community home cooking from mehko.org.

Brief Overview of MEHKO

A concise summary of California's Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation program.

County MEHKO Approval Guides

Explore detailed guides for obtaining MEHKO approval specific to your California county.

For Cooks

List your meals for free! We currently don’t charge any fees, so you keep 100% of your earnings. In the future, we plan to introduce a small, community-sustaining fee per sale to help support the platform.

Get Started Cooking

For Customers

Enjoy delicious, affordable meals with a small service fee that helps us maintain the platform and support our community of cooks. Fair prices for everyone.

Start Ordering