Is Homemade the Right Platform for Your Home Food Business? An Honest Review for the Netherlands

If you’re thinking about becoming a home chef and selling your meals locally, choosing the right platform to support your business is crucial. With so many food delivery services and meal marketplaces out there, it can be overwhelming to decide which one fits your needs, values, and business goals best. After all, cooking from home is not just about making great food—it’s about building a sustainable business that respects your passion, lifestyle, and customers.

Homemade is a platform designed specifically for home chefs across the Netherlands, and it’s quickly gaining attention for its unique approach. Unlike traditional food delivery apps that focus primarily on restaurants or large kitchens, Homemade aims to empower individuals who cook from their own homes. It combines practical tools, community support, and eco-friendly delivery options to create an environment where home chefs can thrive.

One of Homemade’s standout features is its generous revenue share model. During the introductory period, home chefs can keep up to 95% of their earnings. This is a significant advantage compared to many other platforms where commission fees can eat into profits. For someone starting or scaling a home-based food business, this means more money stays with you—allowing you to invest in quality ingredients, marketing, or even expanding your menu.

But Homemade is about more than just earnings. The platform takes care of delivery logistics through zero-emission couriers, highlighting its commitment to sustainability. For chefs and customers alike who care about reducing environmental impact, this is a meaningful benefit that sets Homemade apart.

Beyond operations and delivery, Homemade offers a well-rounded support system. From helping you complete mandatory registrations with Dutch authorities like the Kamer van Koophandel (KVK) and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), to providing clear hygiene guidelines and business advice, Homemade eases the often complex process of turning your cooking hobby into a legal and professional business.

Marketing is another area where Homemade shines. The platform regularly offers free workshops and masterclasses on topics ranging from social media marketing to menu design and local SEO. This education empowers home chefs to attract and retain customers without needing expensive marketing agencies or complicated software.

Of course, no platform is perfect for everyone, and there are some things to consider. The application process includes submitting official registrations, product liability waivers, photos of your dishes, and scheduling onboarding calls. While thorough, this process ensures a high standard of quality across the platform, which ultimately benefits all chefs by maintaining customer trust.

In this review, we’ll take a deeper look at what Homemade offers home chefs in the Netherlands, compare it with other platforms, and help you decide if it’s the right fit for your culinary business ambitions. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your home food business sustainably, this guide will give you a clear picture of what to expect.

What Makes Homemade Different?

Homemade stands out as a platform designed specifically for home chefs who want to keep their business personal, local, and sustainable. Unlike many larger food delivery platforms that rely heavily on third-party couriers and centralized kitchens, Homemade embraces the unique strengths of cooking from home by fostering a close connection between chefs and their customers.

One of the biggest differentiators is how delivery is handled. Instead of mandating third-party couriers, Homemade allows chefs the flexibility to either deliver their own meals or offer customer pickup options. This approach not only helps reduce delivery costs and emissions but also builds a more personal relationship between chef and customer. When customers can meet their local chef—whether by picking up their order or receiving it directly—they feel a greater sense of trust and loyalty. This personal touch encourages repeat orders and word-of-mouth referrals, which are invaluable for small food businesses.

Financially, Homemade is built to be fair and flexible, especially for home chefs who are often starting on a tight budget. The platform offers tiered subscription plans that adapt to your business size and ambitions. At the base level, there’s a simple plan that charges a 5% commission on orders plus a modest monthly fee of €25. For chefs ready to scale their operations, higher-tier plans come with lower commission rates—sometimes as low as 4%—in exchange for a higher monthly subscription fee. This transparent pricing structure allows you to choose the plan that makes the most sense financially, balancing upfront costs and per-order fees as your business grows.

Another noteworthy aspect is Homemade’s focus on sustainability. By encouraging local delivery and pickup options, the platform helps minimize the carbon footprint associated with food transport. Plus, all deliveries use zero-emission couriers whenever possible, aligning with the growing demand among consumers for eco-friendly options.

On top of this, Homemade supports its chefs with practical tools and educational resources. From step-by-step guidance on legal registration with Dutch authorities to free workshops on marketing, menu development, and customer engagement, the platform goes beyond just order management. It actively helps chefs build professional, sustainable businesses from their home kitchens.

Finally, Homemade emphasizes community and support. By joining the platform, you’re not just a faceless vendor; you become part of a network of passionate local cooks who share knowledge, ideas, and encouragement. This sense of belonging can be invaluable for staying motivated and growing your home food business.

In summary, Homemade differentiates itself by being tailored to the needs of home chefs who value personal connection, financial fairness, sustainability, and ongoing support. If you want to keep control of your cooking business, build relationships with your customers, and grow at your own pace, Homemade offers a unique and compelling platform to make it happen.

Tools and Support to Grow Your Business

Homemade is much more than just a food marketplace—it acts as a true business partner dedicated to helping home chefs like you grow and succeed. One of the platform’s key features is its integrated customer review and loyalty system. This setup makes it easy to build a positive reputation and encourages repeat orders without requiring you to manage separate tools or complicated marketing software. Happy customers can leave reviews that showcase your skills and reliability, which in turn helps attract new clients organically.

But Homemade doesn’t stop at providing the technology. The platform regularly offers free marketing workshops and masterclasses tailored specifically for home chefs. These sessions cover important topics like creating engaging Instagram reels, mastering local SEO to boost your visibility in your area, and designing menus that appeal to your target customers. This practical guidance empowers you to promote your food business effectively, even if marketing isn’t your specialty.

By combining these tools and educational resources, Homemade supports you not only in cooking great food but also in building a loyal customer base and increasing your sales. This holistic approach ensures you can focus on your passion for cooking while growing your business sustainably and confidently.

Who Should Choose Homemade?

Homemade is the perfect platform for home chefs who want to focus on what they do best—cooking delicious, high-quality meals—while maintaining a close and personal connection with their customers. It’s especially suited for part-time chefs or those just starting out who want to build a loyal local following without relying on impersonal, large-scale delivery systems.

If you’re passionate about sustainability and community, Homemade aligns with your values by encouraging eco-friendly delivery methods like self-delivery or customer pickups, reducing emissions and promoting local food culture. This hands-on approach means you control how your meals reach customers, ensuring a better experience and stronger relationships.

However, if you live in a smaller town or rural area, keep in mind that the order volume might be lower initially as the platform’s network grows. But with Homemade’s support and growing user base, there’s plenty of opportunity to expand your customer reach over time.

Whether you want to grow a flexible home-based food business, connect directly with your neighborhood, or share your passion for sustainable cooking, Homemade offers the tools and community to help you succeed.

Flexible Plans for Every Chef

Homemade offers flexible subscription plans designed to support home chefs at every stage of their business journey.

• Basic Plan: Perfect for beginners just starting out. This plan provides essential tools like order management and full support with your KVK and NVWA registrations—all at a low monthly fee. It’s a great way to get your business up and running smoothly without overwhelming costs.
• Pro Plan: Ideal for chefs ready to grow. In addition to everything in the Basic Plan, you get extra branding support, training sessions, and access to valuable marketing resources. This plan helps you build a stronger brand presence and attract more customers.
• Advance Plan: Made for established chefs who want to scale up their business. Along with all Pro Plan features, it offers full marketing support and opens doors to B2B catering opportunities. This plan is perfect if you’re aiming for bigger growth and professional partnerships.

No matter where you are on your journey, Homemade’s plans give you the right tools and support to succeed as a home chef.

Final Verdict

If you’re a home chef in the Netherlands looking for a platform that truly supports your passion, Homemade stands out as an excellent choice. Here’s why:

• Low Fees, More Earnings: Homemade offers competitive commission rates ranging from 5% to 15%, depending on your subscription plan. This means you keep more of what you earn compared to many other platforms with higher fees.
• Personal Connections: Unlike large food delivery services that often keep chefs and customers distant, Homemade encourages direct interaction. You can deliver meals yourself or have customers pick them up, helping build trust, loyalty, and a strong local following.
• Sustainability Focus: Homemade uses zero-emission delivery options and promotes local food communities. If you care about reducing your environmental footprint and supporting a sustainable food ecosystem, this platform aligns with your values.
• Comprehensive Support: From helping you with legal registrations (KVK and NVWA) to marketing workshops and branding assistance, Homemade is more than just a marketplace—it’s a business partner dedicated to your success.
• Flexible Plans: Whether you’re starting out or scaling up, Homemade offers tailored plans to fit your needs, helping you grow at your own pace.
• Community & Learning: Join a growing network of like-minded home chefs who share experiences, attend masterclasses, and support each other’s growth.

If you’re ready to turn your cooking passion into a rewarding, sustainable business and enjoy meaningful connections with your customers, Homemade is the perfect platform to start.

Take the first step today: Join Homemade and begin sharing your culinary creations with your community, cooking with heart and purpose!