FAQ (Trusted HomeCooks)

Why cook with Homevyte?
Sign-up Bonus
Receive $900 from Homevyte when you become a Trusted HomeCook™ (Conditions may apply).
Equity
Be a part of the first selected Trusted HomeCooks to receive up to 10,000 shares of equity in Homevyte that can potentially become extremely valuable in the near future (Per Terms & Conditions).
Marketing
Homevyte will promote your home restaurant to millions of potential customers.
Secure Payment
Homevyte provides you a reliable payment system for sales and tip payment from your guests
Income
Earn up to $50,000 yearly from the comfort of your home.
Homevyte’s promise is to help you
  • Get legal operating permits from County Government to become a legitimate and Trusted HomeCook™
  • Obtain a Food Protection Manager Certification from an accredited agency
  • Receive a Food Handler’s Certification from an accredited agency
  • Find food liability insurance to protect you and your property
  • Ensure quality service training and support
  • Stay current and up-to-date with all County and State guidelines
Trusted Costumers
Connect you with verified customers
Share food & culture
Share your dining table and culture with your community, meet interesting people and make new friends.
Save you money
Provide you with the opportunity to open your restaurant without spending thousands of dollars.
What are some general requirement?
  • You must be a resident of the dwelling (home, apartment, etc.) you operate in.
  • Food you cook must be served to consumers from the same residence on the same day. Leftovers cannot be served.
  • Food must be consumed onsite at the Trusted HomeCook’s residence, delivered or picked-up.
  • Homevyte Requirements
    1. Download Homevyte HomeCook app
    2. Register and complete account
    3. Complete background check
    4. Build your home restaurant & post your menu and schedule on Homevyte's HomeCook app.
    5. Complete Trusted HomeCook Training™.
  • Government Requirements
    1. Certified Food Safety Manager Card.
    2. Food Handler Card for others working with you.
    3. Government-issued permit.
How much money can HomeCooks make?
  • California law stipulates that Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations may earn up to $50,000 (Fifty-thousand USD) annually. This number is adjusted annually for inflation based on the California Consumer Price Index.
  • HomeCooks can serve up to 30 meals daily, but meals cannot exceed 60 (sixty) per week.
How often do Trusted Homecooks get paid?
  • Weekly
  • Bi Weekly
  • Monthly
    • What items are prohibited to sell?
    • Smoked food as method of cooking
    • Raw milk or raw milk products
    • Raw oysters
    • Cured food
    • Molluscan shellfish
    • Cookies, candy, churros and granola are not allowed because they fall under a different law (see California Cottage Food Law, Assembly Bill 1616, passed on January 2013)
    • Any food that is determined to require an HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point) plan as specified in Section 114419 of the California HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE - HSC .
    Can HomeCooks use an open-air barbecue or an outdoor wood-burning oven?
    • Yes, within the following parameters:
      1. It is on the same premises that is officially permitted
      2. It is operated by the permitted HomeCook
      3. It is not in an area that is hazardous and dangerous for starting a fire
      4. It is not accessible by the public for health and safe purposes
      5. It is not operated in, or out of, any motor vehicle
      6. It is a permanent structure
      7. It is equipped with an impenetrable and easily cleanable floor surface that extends a minimum of five feet from the open-air barbecue or outdoor wood-burning oven facility on all open sides; for example, a solid concrete slab.
      8. It is within 200 feet of distance of an available toilet and hand-washing facility
    Can HomeCooks use homegrown fruits and vegetables?
    Yes, but all fruits & vegetables must be thoroughly washed prior to use.
    Can HomeCooks and their employees eat or drink while cooking?
    Yes, however, Homevyte encourages that you keep to a minimum, especially in the presence of guests.
    Can diners come into the kitchen to watch the HomeCook prepare/cook food?
    Yes, however, Homevyte encourages that consumer access to the food facility through food preparation areas be limited due to safety concern. We caution and ask that children be kept away from the food preparation area.
    Can HomeCooks deliver food?
    • Yes, the HomeCook, their employee, a family member or household member may make deliveries to customers.
    • If the person delivering food drives a motor vehicle, the person shall have a valid driver’s license.
    • The HomeCook shall keep on file a copy of the valid driver’s license of a person delivering food on behalf of the operation.
    Can HomeCooks have a catering service?
    No, catering operations are not permitted.
    Can HomeCooks sell or give away food at community events?
    • No, this may still be considered catering and it is not allowed.
    • HomeCooks can only sell food directly to the public from the residential home, delivered or carried out in proper containers.
    Can HomeCooks sell to other businesses?
    No, the operation only sells food directly to consumers and not to any retailer.
    Can Trusted HomeCooks donate any leftover food?
    • Yes, HomeCooks should donate food to a food bank or to any other nonprofit charitable organization as long as the food has been handled in compliance with food safety requirements.)
    • Homevyte encourages and expects Trusted HomeCooks to donate specifically made, whole meals to the homeless and other underprivileged individuals when they can.
    Can HomeCooks have multiple venues to serve from?
    • No, Trusted HomeCook’s operations must be conducted within the primary residence, your private home-a dwelling, including an apartment or other leased space, where you reside.
    • Second homes, vacation homes, or motor homes DO NOT qualify as a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation, which means Trusted HomeCook cannot use them as an operations venue.
    • You should check your rent/lease agreement to see if there are any restrictions to operating a home-based business out of the residence.
    Can HomeCooks have employees?
    The HomeCook can have only one full-time employee, not including One family member or household member.
    Can HomeCooks give their permit to another person?
    • No, a permit, once issued, is nontransferable to any other person. A permit is valid only for the person and location specified by that permit.
    • You can suspend or revoke your current permit and re-apply for another in the name of the desired person and venue.
    Can the HomeCook’s permit be taken away?
    • Yes, if Homevyte or the local enforcement agency is notified of significant food safety related complaints from verified consumers that have made a purchase from the HomeCook three times or more within one year, then Homevyte may not host the HomeCook on its platform and the local authorities may revoke the HomeCook’s permit.
    • You must maintain good star-rating in order to remain on the Homevyte’s platform.
    • HomeCooks are rated by diners on a 7-Star rating system on food, home atmosphere, and customer service categories.
    Can HomeCooks put up business signs?
    No, please abstain from posting signage or other outdoor displays of advertising Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation. Homevyte will market and advertise for you on its platform.
    How often will Trusted HomeCooks’ residence be inspected?
      Trusted HomeCooks’ place of operations will inspected at least once a year by the county enforcement agency. The county’s enforcement agency will conduct its first inspection before a permit is issued. Additional inspections may be conducted in response to complaints. Homevyte inspects per its discretion to maintain high standards.
    What areas of the Trusted HomeCooks’ residence will be permitted and inspected?
      Onsite customer eating area Food storage areas Bathrooms Janitorial and cleaning supplies area Trash and storage area Utensils and equipment used by Trusted HomeCooks for their operations Sink, dishwasher and any other equipment listed to be used for operation
    What is Homevyte's platform fee?
      Help you get permit & become a legitimate & Trusted HomeCook
      1. County and State requirements
      2. Food protection manager certification
      3. Food handler’s certification (for employee)
      4. Help you find Food liability insurance
      5. Quality service training and support.
      Market & promote your home restaurant to millions of potential customers Easily connect you with verified customers Provided a secure & reliable payment system for sales and tip payments from your guests Sign-up Bonus: Receive $900 as a gift from Homevyte for becoming an approved Trusted HomeCook (terms & conditions apply). Equity: Be part of the first selected HomeCooks to receive equity in Homevyte that can potentially become extremely valuable in the near future (terms & conditions apply). To provide you these unmatched services, Homevyte charges the HomeCook only 8.99% per each transaction. You may easily earn more in tips when you provide great customer service. Unlike other platforms, Homevyte lets the HomeCook keep 100% of the tip a customers gives.

    FAQ (Guests of honor)

    Why oder with Homevyte?
    Great prices
    Pay competitive prices-home cooks don’t have the usual overhead costs incurred by restaurant
    Variety
    Find a vast variety of American and world cuisines near you
    Fresh
    Enjoy truly fresh, homemade, authentic & delicious cuisines cooked with locally grown ingredientns.
    Meet people
    Meet and connect with people when you dine-in at the cook’s home; your significant other or your next life-changing professional connection may be sitting across from you on your next visit.
    Culture
    Meet vetted & verified local home cooks with diverse cultural background and engage world cultures
    Community
    • Support your community and local economy and help keep our planet green
      1. Trusted HomeCooks™ normally buy fresh, in-season, locally grown ingredients from their neighborhood farmers market
      2. Home cooks could be your next-door neighbor, instead of a big national chain
      3. Homevyte is local-Trusted HomeCooks™ own a significant share of the company
    What does “Table-Sharing or Dine-In” mean?
    Homevyte is revolutionizing how people meet to eat delicious & authentic foods. Table-sharing is reserving & dining-in and sharing a table with other guests in the cook’s home. Basically, when guests make a reservation with our partnering HomeCooks, on the day and time of the reservation, the guests will travel to the HomeCook’s residence and ring the doorbell. The HomeCook, the resident of the home, opens the door and welcomes her guests into her home. She shows her guests to the dining room and have them take their seats. She then serves them delicious, authentic dishes she has prepared for them at her dining table inside her home. Of course customers are able order delivery and pick-up from HomeCooks also.
    How do I order food from HomeCooks?
    • Select a cuisine
    • Reserve
    • Dine-in, pick-up or delivery
    Does Homevyte charge customers for using the apps?
    • Homevyte provides you great prices, becuase HomeCooks don't have all the overhead that restaurants have.
    • You get access to a variety of local and world cuisines
    • Home-made food is fresh and delicious!
    • Meet and connect with people with similar food interests.
    • Meet vetted & verified local home cooks with diverse cultural background and engage world cultures
    • Homevyte is very convenient beucase the HomeCook could be your next-door neighbor.
      • For a very small convenient fee of 6.99% per each transaction, Homevyte is able to provide you fresh, delicious and variety of foods at great prices.
    Can I order delivery or pick-up from the HomeCook?
    Yes. You can choose dine-in at their home, have them delivery it to your door or go and pick it up at the HomeCook's home. You can use the filter buttons to choose which type of service you want and Homevyte will show you the cooks that have that type of service.
    Is it safe to eat at someones home?
    The city and county health department do routine inspections, like any other food establishment and issue operating permits based on qualifications. Homevyte partners with well-rounded and passionate HomeCooks who are professional and are in search of opportunities to make a decent income from selling delicious food in their homes. Through our safety and customer system training programs, Homevyte establishes a close relationship with HomeCooks and is able to further vet and only partner with serious and professional cooks. Homevyte is informed of guests’ location when they visit our partnering HomeCooks and press the Arrive Button. Guests can also share their reservation plans via email or text messages with friends and family before they travel.
    Is home-cooked food clean?
    All HomeCooks in California are required to get a health permit from their county’s Department of Environmental Health (DEH), Food and Housing Division, prior to operating. HomeCooks must successfully pass a state government approved and accredited food safety manager course and any individual, other than the operator, who is involved with the preparation, storage, or service of food in a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO, which Homevyte refers to as HomeCooks) must also obtain a food handler card from one of the schools approved by DEH. Department of Environmental Health also conducts inspections at the HomeCook’s residence to verify compliance with state law. Once compliance is verified, the permit will be issued. All HomeCooks go through Homevyte’s own safety and customer service training course in order to strengthen relations and to be vetted further. Homevyte selects partners who are serious and professional. These are HomeCooks who invest a lot of time and money into setting up their business, and go through several tiers of safety and customer training in order to earn a decent income. HomeCooks are ordinary, everyday people who take great pride in their new venture and take the extraordinary leap into entrepreneurship. HomeCooks are owners of their businesses and take food safety and cleanliness very seriously because the very existence of their business depends on it.
    How do I know if the HomeCook is legitimate?
    Homevyte HomeCooks must display onsite the following documents at all times:
    • Homevyte HomeCook Certificate that’s valid
    • A valid permit issued by Enforcement Agency
    • A valid certificate from a government approved and accredited Safe Food Handler and Food Manager
    • A copy of a valid driver’s license of the person delivering food
    • A copy of the most recent Enforcement Agency inspection report
    Can I hire HomeCooks for catering service?
    California does not allow HomeCooks to provide catering services.
    What items are prohibited to buy from HomeCooks?
    HomeCooks are not permitted to sell smoked food, raw milk, raw milk products, raw oysters, cured foods, molluscan shellfish, Cookies, candy, churros and granola bars.
    Can guests go into the HomeCooks’ kitchen to watch the HomeCook prepare and cook food?
    Homevyte encourages guest to guest interactions and guest and HomeCook interactions. However, Homevyte asks that preparation areas be accessible but limited due to safety concerns. We caution and ask that children be kept away from the food preparation area.

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