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No delivery. No platform. Just two neighbors arranging a simple food handoff — here's exactly how it goes from reservation to payment.
Here's exactly what happens from the moment a buyer discovers food to the moment the cook gets paid.
The buyer opens CookNextDoor and sees nearby food listed within 1 km. They can filter by food type, dietary needs, and price range.
The buyer taps "Reserve" and selects how many portions they want. The portion count is immediately deducted from the listing.
The cook receives an SMS + app notification with the buyer's name, number of portions, and requested pickup time.
Both parties use the in-app chat (or WhatsApp-style link) to confirm the exact pickup time and location. The cook's full address is only revealed at this point.
The buyer arrives at the agreed time. No delivery, no waiting for a driver — just a quick walk to a neighbor's block.
No platform takes a cut. Payment is handled directly between buyer and cook using any of the methods below.
Cook hands the food to the buyer. Both confirm the transaction is complete in the app with a tap.
After pickup, both the buyer and cook are prompted to leave a quick star rating and optional comment. Ratings are public and build community trust.
All meetups are within a 1km radius — a short walk from your door. Click the map to explore the area.
All payments go directly from buyer to cook. CookNextDoor takes zero commission. Agree on your preferred method in the chat before pickup. Malaysia users can also use DuitNow or Touch 'n Go.
CookNextDoor is built on trust. Here's how we keep the community safe for everyone.
Things people ask us most about how CookNextDoor works.
If a cook cancels, your reservation is released and you'll be notified immediately. No payment was made yet (payment only happens at pickup), so there's nothing to refund. You can immediately browse other nearby listings.
Message your cook in the app as soon as you know you'll be late. Cooks are people with schedules — being considerate goes a long way. If you're more than 30 minutes late without notice, the cook may cancel the reservation.
Each cook sets their own packaging. Some provide containers (included in the price), others ask you to bring your own. This is usually mentioned in the listing or chat. Bringing a bag to carry the food is always a good idea.
No — CookNextDoor is strictly hyperlocal (1 km radius). This ensures freshness, convenience, and that the community feel stays real. If you want more options, check back later as more cooks join near you.
Zero. CookNextDoor is completely free for both buyers and cooks. No listing fees, no commission, no subscription. The cook sets the price and keeps every cent of it.
Since payment happens at pickup, you can choose not to pay and not to take the food if something seems seriously wrong. That said, home cooking naturally varies — minor differences are normal. Use the rating system to give feedback and help the community.
Home cooks in Singapore selling food in small quantities fall under the category of cottage food businesses. We recommend checking the latest SFA (Singapore Food Agency) guidelines. CookNextDoor supports compliance and will provide resources to help cooks stay within guidelines.
Join your neighborhood food community today — it's free, it's simple, and your next home-cooked meal is just next door.