Host Guidelines
Your complete guide to creating outstanding listings, delivering memorable experiences, and building a thriving culinary business on CaterKin.
Last Updated: February 2026
Welcome to Hosting on CaterKin
Thank you for being part of the CaterKin community. Whether you're a private chef, cooking instructor, caterer, or culinary experience provider, these guidelines will help you make the most of the platform and deliver experiences that guests love.
Hosts who follow these guidelines consistently see higher booking rates, better reviews, and more repeat customers. Think of this as your playbook for success.
1. Creating a Listing That Gets Booked
Your listing is your storefront. Guests decide within seconds whether to enquire or scroll past. Here's how to make those seconds count.
Photos — The Single Biggest Factor
Listings with high-quality photos receive up to 3× more enquiries. Your photos are the first thing guests see and the main reason they click.
Do:
- Use natural daylight — shoot near a window or outdoors
- Show finished dishes plated beautifully, not mid-preparation
- Include at least one photo of you in action (cooking, plating, interacting with guests)
- Show your setup — table settings, equipment, the full experience
- Use a clean, uncluttered background
- Upload at least 5 photos — variety helps guests picture the experience
- Shoot landscape (horizontal) for your cover photo — it displays best
Avoid:
- Dark, blurry, or grainy images
- Heavy filters that make food look unnatural
- Stock photos — guests want to see your actual work
- Messy backgrounds (dirty counters, cluttered shelves)
- Screenshots or photos with text overlays
Pro tip: Ask a friend to take photos of you while you cook. Action shots build trust and show personality. Even a modern smartphone in good light produces excellent results.
Title & Description
Your title should be clear, specific, and enticing. Your description should answer the question: "Why should I book this?"
Strong titles:
- "Authentic Italian Dinner Party — 5-Course Tasting Menu"
- "Interactive Sushi Masterclass for Groups of 4–10"
- "Private BBQ Chef — Garden Parties & Celebrations"
Weak titles:
- "Chef available" — too vague
- "BEST FOOD IN TOWN!!!" — feels spammy
- "Cooking" — tells the guest nothing
In your description, cover: what the experience includes, what cuisine or dishes you specialise in, what makes your service unique, and what guests can expect from start to finish. Write in a warm, conversational tone — you're inviting someone into your world.
Pricing
Set prices that reflect the value of your time, ingredients, and expertise. Research what similar services cost in your area.
- Be transparent — include everything in your listed price or clearly state what's extra
- Offer packages at different price points (e.g., a 3-course and a 5-course option)
- Consider a per-person rate for group experiences — it's easier for guests to understand
- Don't undercharge — guests associate very low prices with low quality
2. Communication & Responsiveness
Fast, friendly communication is one of the strongest predictors of booking success. Guests often enquire with multiple hosts — the one who responds first and most helpfully usually wins the booking.
Aim to respond to all enquiries and booking requests within 2 hours during business hours. Same-day responses are the minimum standard.
Be warm, professional, and helpful. Address guests by name. Answer their questions fully and offer suggestions if they seem unsure.
- Confirm dietary requirements and allergies before every booking
- Send a brief message the day before to confirm timing and details
- If you can't accommodate a request, suggest an alternative rather than just declining
- Keep all communication on the CaterKin platform for your protection
3. Delivering an Outstanding Experience
The experience itself is what earns you 5-star reviews, repeat bookings, and word-of-mouth referrals. Go beyond just cooking great food.
Before the Event
- Confirm the menu, guest count, and any dietary needs at least 24 hours in advance
- Arrive on time or early — punctuality sets the tone for the entire experience
- Bring everything you need — don't rely on the guest's kitchen being fully stocked
- Dress professionally and cleanly — first impressions matter
During the Event
- Introduce yourself and briefly explain what you'll be preparing
- Engage with guests — share stories about the dishes, ingredients, or techniques
- For cooking classes, be patient and encouraging with all skill levels
- Plate food with care — presentation elevates the perceived quality
- Be adaptable — if a guest has a last-minute request, accommodate it where possible
After the Event
- Leave the kitchen cleaner than you found it — this is non-negotiable
- Thank the guest and let them know you'd love to cook for them again
- Mark the booking as complete promptly in the app
Pro tip: Small touches make a big difference — a printed menu card, a garnish on the plate, or offering to share a recipe. These details turn a good experience into a memorable one.
4. Reviews & Building Your Reputation
Reviews are the lifeblood of your listing. Guests trust other guests' experiences more than anything else. A strong review profile dramatically increases your booking rate.
How to earn great reviews:
- Deliver exactly what your listing promises — or better
- Be personable, professional, and attentive throughout
- Handle any issues gracefully and proactively
- After the experience, a simple "I hope you enjoyed the evening — I'd really appreciate a review if you have a moment" goes a long way
Handling negative feedback:
- Stay calm and professional — never respond emotionally
- Acknowledge the guest's experience and apologise where appropriate
- Explain what you'll do differently next time
- Use it as genuine feedback to improve your service
5. Food Safety & Hygiene
Food safety is a legal requirement and a core part of being a professional host. CaterKin takes this seriously and so should you.
Requirements
- Hold a valid food safety certificate (HACCP Level 1 or equivalent) — this is mandatory
- Maintain appropriate insurance for your services
- Follow all local food safety regulations and guidelines
- Keep your certifications up to date and uploaded to your profile
Best Practices
- Always ask about allergies and dietary restrictions — and take them seriously
- Transport ingredients at safe temperatures (use cool bags for perishables)
- Wash hands frequently and use clean utensils
- Label and separate allergens during preparation
- Never serve food you wouldn't eat yourself
Important: Failure to meet food safety standards may result in suspension from the platform. If a guest reports a food safety concern, we will investigate promptly.
6. Managing Your Calendar & Availability
An up-to-date calendar prevents double bookings, reduces cancellations, and builds trust with guests.
- Keep your availability calendar accurate at all times
- Connect your Google Calendar for automatic syncing of busy dates
- Block out dates you're unavailable as soon as you know
- Set realistic minimum booking notice (e.g., 48 hours) so you have time to prepare
- If you need to take a break, deactivate your listing rather than ignoring enquiries
Pro tip: Hosts with accurate calendars and fast response times appear higher in search results, leading to more bookings.
7. Cancellations & Reliability
Cancellations damage guest trust and your reputation. We understand emergencies happen, but reliability is fundamental to success on CaterKin.
Our expectations:
- Only accept bookings you can confidently fulfil
- If you must cancel, do so as early as possible and communicate clearly with the guest
- Repeated cancellations may result in reduced visibility or account review
- No-shows are treated as a serious breach and may lead to suspension
If you have a genuine emergency, contact us at [email protected] and we'll help manage the situation with the guest.
8. Payouts & Earnings
CaterKin handles all payment processing securely through Stripe. Here's how it works:
- Guests pay when they book — funds are held securely until the experience is complete
- After the booking is marked complete and the 48-hour review window passes, your payout is processed automatically
- Payouts are sent directly to your connected bank account via Stripe
- CaterKin charges a platform commission on each booking — this is deducted automatically
- You can view all your earnings and payout history in the Payouts section of your dashboard
Make sure your Stripe account is connected and your bank details are up to date to avoid payout delays.
9. Community Standards
CaterKin is built on trust, respect, and professionalism. Every host is expected to uphold these values.
We expect all hosts to:
- Treat every guest with respect, regardless of background
- Be honest and accurate in your listing descriptions and pricing
- Never ask guests to pay outside the platform
- Respect guest privacy — don't share their personal information
- Report any safety concerns or inappropriate behaviour to our team
- Comply with all applicable local laws and regulations
Zero-tolerance policies:
- Discrimination of any kind
- Harassment or threatening behaviour
- Fraudulent listings or fake reviews
- Attempting to circumvent platform fees
Violations of community standards will result in investigation and may lead to permanent removal from the platform.
10. Growing Your Business
The most successful hosts treat CaterKin as a business, not a side project. Here's how to grow consistently.
Update photos seasonally, add new menu items, and refresh your description. Active listings perform better.
After every great experience, gently encourage guests to leave a review. More reviews = more trust = more bookings.
Consider adding different experience types — a cooking class alongside your private chef service, or themed menus for holidays.
Know a talented chef? Use your referral code to invite them. You'll earn reduced commission rates as a thank you.
Pro tip: Share your CaterKin listing on your social media profiles. Many successful hosts get their first bookings from their existing network, which then snowballs through reviews and search visibility.
Quick Reference Checklist
Need help?
If you have questions about these guidelines or need support, reach out to us at [email protected] or visit our Help Center.
These guidelines may be updated from time to time. We'll notify you of any significant changes.