When we first started Platesfull, we had no idea that one day the name would carry meaning beyond our immediate circle. Just the other day at my son’s soccer class, I found myself casually chatting about the business. Curious, a fellow parent quickly Googled us—and with genuine surprise said, “You’re all over the first page of Google!” Then came the inevitable question: “How did you do this?” 😊

At a recent networking event, a stranger told us, “I saw Platesfull ads and was looking forward to booking a chef. You guys are awesome!” These moments remind me how far we’ve come—and how the name "Platesfull" is now beginning to mean something to others, not just to us.

From Whiteboard to Reality

This didn’t happen overnight. It began more than 20 months ago, back in 2019. I convinced Sharon to take a day off so we could brainstorm the many startup ideas I’d been thinking about. We put up a whiteboard and listed the top 15 ideas that came to mind. From there, we stack-ranked them and narrowed it down to a top three.

At that point, my son Zion jumped into the discussion—and yes, his vote counted. We ultimately landed on the idea of a personal chef marketplace, and then came the million-dollar question: “What should we name it?”

We tossed around several ideas, but when someone (still debated to this day!) mentioned Platesfull, it immediately clicked. I’ll gladly take credit for the name any day 😄. That same day, we bought the domain, registered the company, and jumped on a call with a lawyer. It was one of the most productive days of my life.

Then the pandemic hit—and everything paused.

The Comeback

We picked it back up in 2024 with fresh energy. From that point on, there’s been no turning back. We’ve been driven by hustle, persistence, and a “never give up” attitude. We believed—then and now—that this is a real pain point that needs solving, both for customers and for talented chefs or home cooks.

Market Signals & Momentum

After Airbnb recently announced they were introducing chef experiences to their platform, friends asked if we felt threatened. But to me, that announcement was a signal of validation—proof that there’s a large market and a real problem worth solving. We’re not just building to keep up; we’re building to lead.

At Platesfull, we’re constantly innovating—not only to stay ahead of the game, but to deeply address what customers need. Post-COVID, people value time with loved ones more than ever. But with our busy lives, hosting can be stressful. That’s where we come in.

Why Platesfull

Our personal chefs work with customers to create custom menus, handle grocery shopping, cook, serve, and clean up afterward. It’s about making memories—not managing logistics.

So next time you're planning a gathering, remember:
"Don't wait to plate—just book a chef with Platesfull."