★ THE HELP DESK

18 Questions Answered

YOU ASKED. we answered.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

From what's included to how we handle dietary needs, here's everything clients ask before they book.

Still have a question? Scroll to the bottom and we'll answer it directly.

GETTING STARTED
MEALS & MENUS
PRICING
LOGISTICS
OTHERS

GETTINGstarted

4 Questions

01 What is The Makeshift Chef? +

The Makeshift Chef is a personal chef service based in Kansas City, MO, founded by Chef Carlos Serrano. We specialize in weekly in-home meal prep, private dinners, and fully customized menus for busy families and professionals.

Carlos handles everything from menu planning and grocery shopping to cooking and full kitchen cleanup.

02 How do I get started? +

It starts with a free 15 minute consultation call. We'll talk about your household, dietary needs, schedule, and goals, then build a custom plan from there.

  • ✓Book your free call through our contact page
  • ✓We'll send a custom proposal within 48 hours
  • ✓Pick a prep day that works for you
  • ✓Your first week is ready to go
03 How is this different from a meal delivery service? +

Unlike meal delivery services, The Makeshift Chef cooks fresh meals directly in your home using real ingredients tailored to your dietary needs.

No pre-packaged or frozen meals. Every dish is made fresh, customized to your household, and ready to enjoy throughout the week.

04 Do I need to be home during meal prep? +

No, and most clients aren't. Many leave entry instructions and come back to a fully prepped fridge and spotless kitchen.

Chef Carlos takes care of everything and leaves your space cleaner than he found it.

Meals &menus

4 Questions

05 Can you accommodate dietary restrictions? +

Absolutely. We specialize in customized meal prep that fits real dietary needs:

  • ✓Gluten-free and dairy-free
  • ✓Low-carb and keto friendly
  • ✓High-protein and athlete focused
  • ✓Vegetarian and plant forward
  • ✓Family friendly with kid approved options

Every menu is built around your specific requirements using whole, fresh ingredients with bold flavors.

06 What kind of food do you cook? +

High-protein, veggie-forward meals with global flavor. Think Mexican, Mediterranean, and everything in between.

Typical dishes include grilled salmon over arugula with lemon, cauliflower gnocchi with fresh herbs, quinoa bowls with roasted sweet potato, and plenty more. Menus rotate weekly so nothing gets boring.

07 How many meals can I get per week? +

Anywhere from 4 to 10+ meals per week, depending on your household size and plan.

Meals can be individually portioned or family style, and you can mix lunches, dinners, and snacks however makes sense for your week.

08 How are meals packaged and stored? +

We use glass or BPA-free containers and label everything clearly with reheating instructions.

Most meals stay fresh for 4 to 5 days in the fridge. A few can be frozen if you want to stretch them further. We'll tell you what works best for each dish.

Pricing &plans

3 Questions

09 How much does meal prep cost? +

Our meal prep service typically costs between $300 and $475 per week depending on the number of meals, household size, and dietary requirements.

Grocery costs are billed separately so you always know what you're paying for. Book a free consultation for a personalized quote.

10 Are groceries included in the price? +

No, groceries are billed separately. We shop for you and send an itemized receipt, so you only pay for the actual cost of ingredients.

This keeps pricing transparent and means you're never paying a markup on food.

11 Is there a minimum commitment? +

No long-term contracts. You can start weekly and pause, skip, or cancel anytime with a week's notice.

We recommend giving it at least 3 weeks to settle into a rhythm, but it's always your call.

Logistics &scheduling

4 Questions

12 What areas in Kansas City do you serve? +

We serve the greater Kansas City metro area including:

  • ✓Kansas City, MO
  • ✓Overland Park
  • ✓Leawood
  • ✓Prairie Village
  • ✓Waldo
  • ✓Brookside

If you're outside these areas, reach out and we'll see what we can arrange.

13 How long does a prep session take? +

A typical prep session runs 3 to 5 hours depending on the menu and number of meals.

You don't need to be home. Most clients head to work or run errands and come back to a fridge full of meals and a clean kitchen.

14 What do I need to have in my kitchen? +

Just a standard kitchen. Oven, stovetop, fridge, and a bit of counter space.

We bring our own knives, containers if needed, and any specialty equipment for the menu. If you have specific containers you prefer, we'll use those instead.

15 How do I reschedule or pause service? +

Easy. Just text or email us with at least 48 hours notice and we'll adjust the schedule.

Life happens. Vacations, sick weeks, busy seasons. We work around you.

Everything else

3 Questions

16 Do you cater private dinners? +

Yes. We do private dinners, date nights, birthdays, anniversaries, and small gatherings.

Pricing depends on the menu and party size. Reach out with your date and we'll build a custom plan.

17 Can I give meal prep as a gift? +

Yes, and it's one of the best gifts you can give. New parents, family recovering from surgery, a friend going through a tough stretch.

We offer gift sessions for 1 week, 2 weeks, or a month. Contact us to arrange it.

18 What if I'm not happy with a meal? +

Tell us. Every plan is custom and we take feedback seriously. If something doesn't hit, we swap it out next week with no fuss.

Our goal is meals you actually look forward to. If we miss, we fix it.

Still Curious

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