Supplies
The following items will be needed for your appointments. Order early!
Containers
Cost: Roughly $.50/each. You'll get reimbursed $.75/each after each appointment.
Dinner Elf recipes are designed to fit into 28 oz containers.
28 oz containers
Purchase your own 28 oz containers. You'll be reimbursed at $.75/each for containers used. Buying options vary a lot, but look for 28 oz containers that are both microwave and dishwasher safe (CuBE Plastics is a good brand).
⚠️ Recipes are designed for 28 oz containers (which also fit best in refrigerators), so don't purchase other sizes.
- Best option - Amazon (multiple options)
- Alternates - Dean Supply (CUB927B containers and lids), MrTakeOutBags (XFSCR-28B-VL containers and lids), or a local restaurant supply store, like Ace Mart in Texas (CR-928BB bottoms and CRL-92 lids)
If you're out of containers and need some immediately, get more expensive containers at the grocery store en route to your appointment. Keep in mind you'll only be reimbursed at $.75/container. Look for something close to 3.5 cup containers (28 oz) like these 3 cup Ziploc containers.
Container notes
- For new customers, you'll often need around 12 containers per appointment.
- Encourage repeat customers to leave out clean containers from previous orders for reuse.
- Feel free to use customers' permanent containers if they request this in lieu of plastic containers.
- On your appointment page, you'll supply the number of containers used in your appointment and reimbursed at $.75/container (up to the quantity shown in your staples list).
⚠️ Many customers expect you to supply containers, especially for their first appointments. Make sure you bring them.
Menu cards
Cost: Free
For every appointment, leave a menu card for your standing up on your customer's counter.
Menu cards are supplied to you at no cost. If you're running low, request blocks of 50 for delivery in about a week.
Attire
To build trust and give customers a consistent experience, we recommend the following attire.
1 - Non-branded chef coats
Cost: Purchase two (long or short sleeved; total of 2). You'll get reimbursed $40 after your first appointment. Order from Amazon or anywhere you'd like.
2 - Dark pants and dark shirt
Cost: You purchase them; any black pants will suffice
PayPal card (highly recommended)
Cost: Free
Get a PayPal cash card linked to your PayPal account.
Why? Money goes out (groceries) and in (reimbursements) from the same account.
PayPal account ---> Pay for groceries
PayPal account <--- Get reimbursed
Keep a PayPal balance over $150 to cover any grocery bill.
Cooking tools
Cost: You purchase them
Customers are required to supply some big cooking tools, but you'll need to supply the following items.
- cooking thermometer
- disposable cooking gloves
- cutting board sheets (good if your customer doesn't have two cutting boards)
- chopping and pairing knife
- scissors
- set of measuring cups/spoons
- can opener
- dual blade julienne & vegetable peeler/cutter/slicer
- hand masher
- dish brush
- cleaning wipes
- band-aids
- smartphone (for GPS and taking photos)
Optional
The following items may be helpful to you for organization, speed, or safety.
Caddy - You’ll need to carry and organize your staples and cooking tools. "All Purpose Caddies" are available at most grocery stores and Amazon for under $10.
Mini fire extinguisher - You can purchase a small can for around $11 on Amazon to use if something catches on fire while cooking.
Baking sheets - Customers are asked to supply 2 baking sheets, but you may want to have an extra one available in case they don't (minimum 12" x 17"; rimmed sheets are preferred, see Amazon)
Staples
Cost: Buy them as you go. You're reimbursed for the amount use after after appointment.
Staples are shelf-stable items you can store in your home and use across multiple appointments.
💡Don't buy these staples now, as some aren't used much. Rather, buy them as you need them.
- All staples are available at normal grocery stores.
- Staples are reimbursed based on how much is used in each recipe.
- The most frequently used are olive oil, salt and black pepper.
Below is a list of most staples used in Dinner Elf recipes, but this list changes over time as recipes are added.
- all purpose flour
- aluminum foil
- baking powder
- baking soda
- balsamic vinegar
- cinnamon
- coconut oil
- confectioners powdered sugar
- corn starch
- cornmeal
- couscous
- cumin (ground)
- curry powder
- dill weed
- dried cranberries
- fajita seasoning (bottle)
- farfalle pasta
- foil baking cups (with paper liners)
- foil cake pan with lid
- garam masala
- garlic powder
- golden raisins
- ground ginger
- ground mustard
- honey
- italian seasoned bread crumbs
- italian seasoning
- jasmine rice
- light brown sugar
- light olive oil
- minced garlic
- muffin liners
- old fashioned oats
- panko bread crumbs
- paprika
- parchment paper
- parmesan bread crumbs
- peanut butter (to-go cups)
- peanuts
- pepper
- pie pan
- plastic container
- pumpkin spice
- quick chili mix
- quick oats
- quinoa
- red pepper flakes
- red wine vinegar
- rice vinegar
- rosemary
- rotini pasta
- salt
- sesame oil
- sesame seed
- small macaroni noodles
- snack-size plastic bags
- soy sauce
- sugar
- sweetened coconut flakes
- thin rice noodles
- toothpicks
- tumeric
- unbleached white whole wheat flour
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- vanilla extract
- white vinegar