Frequently Asked Questions.

A drop is a limited-quantity meal posted by an independent chef: one menu, a set number of portions, a set price, and a pickup window. You reserve and pay for your plate in the app, then pick it up from the chef during the window using the QR code on your order. When a drop sells out, it's gone.

Every meal on PL8S is prepared by an independent chef operating their own food business. Chefs are responsible for complying with their local food-safety, permitting, and licensing requirements — in California, that includes programs like MEHKO (Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations) and cottage food permits, which are approved county by county.

PL8S is a marketplace that connects you with chefs; PL8S does not prepare, handle, or sell food itself.

Yes — every Chef Partner is required to carry liability insurance and to hold the permits their county requires as a condition of selling on PL8S. Meals are prepared and sold by independent chefs operating their own businesses; the full requirements are in the Chef Agreement. For chefs: coverage meeting the PL8S requirements — $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate, with Ivacay LLC, d/b/a PL8S as additional insured — is available same-day through our insurance partner.

Chefs describe their dishes and ingredients in each drop listing. If you have an allergy or dietary restriction, always message the chef directly before ordering — they know their kitchen best. Meals are prepared in independent kitchens that may handle common allergens, so if you have a severe allergy, please order with care.

Drops are limited-quantity: when you reserve a plate, the chef sets that portion aside for you and plans their cooking around it. Because of that, cancellations are only available up to a cutoff before the pickup window, and orders not picked up during the window are not automatically refunded.

If something went wrong with your order — a cancelled drop, a missing item — contact us through the contact page and we'll make it right. Full policy details are in our Terms of Service.

Each drop has a pickup window and location shown before you order. During your window, go to the pickup spot and show the QR code in your app. The chef scans it once to confirm your order and hands over your meal. That's it — no cash, no receipts, no waiting in a general line.

If you run — or want to run — a permitted home kitchen, catering operation, or pop-up, we'd love to hear from you. Head to Become a PL8S Chef and join the chef list. Chef onboarding opens with the app launch, and we'll reach out to the list first. You'll need to meet the food-business requirements for your county.

Not permitted yet? Home-kitchen (MEHKO) permits are issued by your county's environmental health department — start with the official California MEHKO page, or apply directly through Los Angeles County Public Health if you're in LA County.

PL8S is launching in California first. Join the waitlist and we'll let you know the moment drops go live in your neighborhood.

The iOS app is in development and coming soon. The waitlist is the fastest way to hear the launch date — join it here.