Connect with new friends while getting a head start on your weekly meals.
The Social Chef is a meal preparation program focused on highlighting a social aspect of cooking with a community. Each session you will prepare meals for the next week while meeting fellow Social Chefs. From recipes currated by our local featured chefs to community dishes that invite you to the dinner table of new friends, we strive to be your culinary community.
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Christopher Reynolds
Founder
I've always been passionate about cooking and exploring new cuisines while traveling the world. But when I first moved to Chicago, my busy work schedule made it tough to cook daily, so I found myself ordering takeout more than I’d like. I also missed the excitement of discovering new foods—without relying on restaurants. On top of that, moving to a new city left me craving connection and a sense of community. These experiences sparked the idea for The Social Chef—a way to bring people together through shared cooking, great food, and meaningful connection.
Gino Bartucci
Founding Featured Chef
Chef Gino Bartucci, a celebrated figure in Chicago's culinary scene, is renowned for his authentic Italian cuisine and dedication to community engagement. As the owner of BarTucci and co-founder of Gino & Marty's, he has consistently brought traditional flavors to the city's vibrant food culture. Now, Chef Gino is partnering with The Social Chef to host exclusive, chef-led meal prep sessions. This collaboration aims to blend his passion for Italian cooking with The Social Chef's mission of fostering community through shared culinary experiences.
“I try to eat healthy and enjoy trying new foods but I don’t always have the time to cook each week. Due to my busy work schedule it has also been difficult to meet new people since I moved to Chicago. The Social Chef has helped me eat more fresh meals and build lasting friendships at the same time.”
Karl Holland
Student
Imagine turning your weekly meal prep into a vibrant community event that not only nourishes you but also provides a welcoming "third space" beyond work and home. In today’s fast-paced world, people are searching for meaningful connections outside their usual environments, and our platform delivers just that. We bring together busy city dwellers to cook, connect, and explore delicious meals for the week. Not only do you save time by prepping in a group, but you also get to meet new people, share your favorite recipes, and learn from local chefs during exclusive, chef-led cooking sessions. Plus, with crowd-sourced meal ideas from fellow community members, you'll constantly discover fresh culinary inspirations that expand your palate. Join us to transform everyday cooking into an exciting, shared experience that nourishes both your health and your community, creating the perfect space to connect and thrive.
Our Mission
Our mission is to transform meal prepping into a dynamic, community-driven experience. We empower people to connect, share, and learn through collaborative cooking sessions—blending everyday practicality with culinary inspiration. By uniting local chefs, innovative recipe sharing, and genuine social connections, we foster a space where every meal nourishes both your health and the community
Membership options for every schedule.
Option 1 —
Monthly Memberships
Best blend of pricing and flexability. Select sessions that work for your schedule and book up to 3 sessions each month.
Option 2 —
Single Session
New customer or want to pay as you go? Single sessions provide you this flexabilty while still competitvly priced.
