Home cook catering for small events
DineDash catering is an advance booking with one local home cook rather than an off-the-shelf package. You describe the event, the cook prices it, and you confirm with a deposit. Requests are capped at 20 guests so everything stays within what a home kitchen cooks to order.
Pick a cook
Browse home cooks near you and open the profile of someone whose food fits your event. Catering is requested from a cook's profile.
Send your request
Share the date, time, guest count, cuisine preferences, dietary restrictions and any budget range you have in mind.
Accept the quote
The cook replies with an itemised quote. Accept it and a 50% deposit confirms your date; the remaining 50% settles before the event.
Catering questions
- How does catering work on DineDash?
- You send a request from a cook's profile with your date, guest count, and any dietary needs. The cook replies with a quote you can accept or decline. Nothing is charged until you accept.
- How many guests can a home cook cater for?
- Catering requests are capped at 20 guests so each event stays within what a home kitchen cooks to order.
- When do I pay?
- A 50% deposit is charged when you accept the quote and secures your date. The remaining 50% is settled before the event.
- Can I cancel a catering request?
- Yes. You can cancel a request from your catering bookings page before it is confirmed, and refunds follow the DineDash refund policy.
Before you book
Read how DineDash handles kitchen standards and allergens on our food safety page, see common answers in the FAQ, and check the refund policy for cancellations. Cooking for events yourself? See cooking with DineDash.