Every cook on Makinson Street holds a valid home kitchen permit issued by their local county or state health department. We verify every permit during onboarding using AI-assisted document review, and cooks must maintain current food handler certifications. You can view each cook's permit status on their profile.

Home cooks operate under state-specific programs designed to ensure food safety. In California, this includes MEHKO (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations) permits and Cottage Food permits. Other states have similar programs like Food Freedom Acts and home kitchen licenses. To get permitted, cooks typically must pass a kitchen inspection, complete food safety training, and register with their local health department. These programs ensure home-cooked food meets safety standards while making it legal for talented cooks to run small food businesses.

Browse cooks near you, explore their menus, and add meals to your cart. Select a pickup date that works for you, then check out securely through Stripe. You'll receive a confirmation with pickup details. On pickup day, head to the cook's location at the scheduled time and enjoy your fresh, home-cooked meal!

Yes! You can use our custom dish request feature to ask a cook to prepare something tailored to your dietary needs. You can also message cooks directly through the platform to discuss modifications before ordering.

Contact us within 24 hours of your scheduled pickup at support@makinsonstreet.com. We take all concerns seriously and will work with you and the cook to resolve the issue. You can also leave a review to share your experience.

Every meal on Makinson Street includes allergen information for the FDA top 9 allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame). Cooks declare allergens when creating their listings, and our AI system suggests additional allergens based on ingredients for extra safety. Always review allergen information before ordering if you have allergies.

Currently, Makinson Street operates on a pickup model — you pick up your meals directly from the cook. This keeps costs low and ensures food quality. Delivery options are coming soon!

Contact your local county or state health department to apply. The type of permit depends on your state — in California, most home cooks apply for a MEHKO or Cottage Food permit. Here are links for our current service areas:

The process typically involves a kitchen inspection, food handler certification, and an application fee. We're happy to help guide you through it.

You set your own prices! Many cooks on Makinson Street earn $500–$2,000+ per month cooking part-time. Accept payment in person and keep 100%, or take card payments in the app for a 3% platform fee plus standard card processing. Depending on your permit type, you may be able to sell up to 30 meals per week or earn up to $75,000 per year. Your schedule is completely flexible — cook as much or as little as you want.

You need a valid home kitchen permit from your county or state (such as a MEHKO, Cottage Food, or Food Freedom permit), plus a food handler certification (like ServSafe). Your kitchen must meet health department standards, and you must follow safe food handling, storage, and preparation practices. We verify your permit during onboarding.

Payments are processed through Stripe Connect. When you sign up, you'll connect your Stripe account and link your bank account. Earnings from orders are transferred to your bank on a rolling basis. You can track all your earnings in your kitchen dashboard.

Makinson Street charges a 3% commission on card payments made through the app, plus Stripe's standard processing fee. For comparison, DoorDash and Uber Eats charge restaurants 15–30%. Payments you accept in person carry no platform commission at all.

Absolutely! You have full control over your availability. Set which days you're available, how many orders you can take, and use vacation mode when you need time off. Update your availability anytime from your kitchen dashboard.

Makinson Street is available anywhere home cooks are active. Set your location to discover meals near you.

Yes! Many states have laws that explicitly allow home cooks to sell food from their kitchens with proper permits. In California, this includes MEHKO (AB 626) and cottage food laws. Other states have similar programs. Makinson Street only works with cooks who hold valid permits, ensuring full legal compliance in every state we operate.

Makinson Street connects you with home cooks, not restaurants. Every cook is your neighbor — someone in your community sharing food they love to make. You'll discover authentic, cultural recipes you can't find elsewhere, learn the story behind every cook, and support your local community directly. It's personal, local, and community-driven.

Food safety is our top priority. Use our contact form and select "Food Safety Concern" as the subject. We prioritize all food safety reports and will investigate promptly. You can also email us directly at support@makinsonstreet.com.