"How much should I charge?" is the first question every new home chef asks. Too low and you lose money. Too high and nobody orders. Here is a simple way to find your price.
Step 1: Count the cost of one batch
Pick one dish. Write down what one batch costs you:
- Ingredients: everything you bought for it, even oil and spices.
- Gas or electricity: a rough amount.
- Packing: box, bag, spoon, label.
- Your time: what your work is worth. Many people forget this one.
Step 2: Divide by the number of portions
Cost of the batch divided by portions gives your cost per portion.
Example only (not real prices): if a batch costs Rs 3,000 in total and makes 10 portions, each portion costs Rs 300.
Step 3: Add your profit
Add something on top, so the business can grow. A common way is to add a fixed share, like one quarter. In our example, Rs 300 plus a quarter is Rs 375 per portion.
Step 4: Remember the platform fee
If you sell through an app or a delivery service, they may take a fee. Add it into your price before you decide, not after. Ask them for the exact number.
Step 5: Look at nearby prices
Check what similar food costs in your area. You do not have to match it. Your food may be better, or smaller, or fresher. But you should know where you stand.
Step 6: Test, then adjust
Try your price for a week. If everything sells out in an hour, you may be too cheap. If nothing sells, the price or the photo may be the problem. Change one thing at a time.
Pricing food that did not sell
Fresh food and end-of-day food are different. Restaurants, bakeries and cafes often sell same-day surplus for less. Home chefs sell freshly made food only. Our guide on what to do with extra food at closing time has more.
Delivery
If you deliver, decide who pays the rider. Some chefs add it to the price, some ask the customer to pay it. Say so clearly before the order.
On SastaKhana you set the price
We never set it for you. You list your food, choose your price and pickup time. You pay 0% commission for your first 30 days, then 10% as a home chef (see the Partner Terms). Just remember to include that in your price.
What can you sell on SastaKhana?
- Fresh deals: food made fresh, at a price you set. Every seller can list these, home chefs too.
- Surplus deals: fresh food made that day that did not sell. Restaurants, bakeries and cafes only.
- Home chefs: freshly made food only. No surplus food.
More in our guide: what can you sell on SastaKhana.
How to join SastaKhana
- Open List My Business on our website and fill the short form. Or email partner@sastakhana.com.
- Our Islamabad team contacts you.
- Home chefs: we ask for an ID and photos of your kitchen and food, plus a short video. This is private and builds trust with buyers.
- You list your food, set your price and choose a pickup time.
Cooking at home and want to sell? Tell us about your kitchen. New to this? Start with how to start a home food business in Islamabad.
Discussion
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