Hero | The Makeshift Chef
Now booking in Kansas City & nearby areas

YOUR PERSONAL CHEF IN Kansas City.

Smart meals for busy lives, one prep day at a time. Weekly meal prep, private dinners, and custom menus, cooked fresh in your own kitchen by Chef Carlos.

★★★★★ 5.0 rating from 11 Google reviews
Fresh salmon meal prep
🍽️
4-10 MEALS Fresh every week
🏡
IN-HOME Cooked in your kitchen

Now Serving

Kansas City ◆ Overland Park ◆ Leawood ◆ Prairie Village ◆ Waldo ◆ Brookside

How It Works | The Makeshift Chef
How It Works

From consultation to Clean Kitchen

A simple, four-step process so you get fresh, home-cooked meals without lifting a finger.

01

Free Consultation

A no-pressure 15-minute call to learn about your lifestyle, food preferences, and goals.

02

Custom Menu

Chef Carlos builds a personalized weekly menu and grocery list based on your needs.

03

Shop & Cook

We handle the grocery shopping and cook everything fresh right in your kitchen.

04

Stocked & Clean

Your fridge is filled with ready-to-eat meals. Your kitchen is left spotless.

Gallery Heading | The Makeshift Chef
From the Kitchen

A Taste of what we cook

High-protein, veggie-forward meals with global flavor. Think Mexican, Mediterranean, and everything in between.

Pricing | The Makeshift Chef
Simple Pricing

Plans that fit your week

Every plan is fully custom. Free 15 minute consultation included. Grocery costs billed separately.

STARTER PREP
Great for couples or small households who want fresh, home cooked meals for the week.
From $300
per week, groceries separate
  • 4 to 5 meals per week
  • Custom weekly menu
  • Fresh, in home cooking
  • Labeled containers with reheating notes
  • Kitchen left spotless
Book a Free Call
PREMIUM PREP
For athletes, professionals, or anyone who wants the full chef experience every week.
From $475
per week, groceries separate
  • 10+ meals per week
  • Lunches, dinners, snacks
  • High protein or goal based menus
  • Priority scheduling
  • Ongoing menu adjustments
Book a Free Call
Not sure which plan fits? Book a free 15 minute call and we'll figure it out together.
Sample Menu | The Makeshift Chef
Meet Your Chef | The Makeshift Chef
Chef Carlos
Chef & Founder
Carlos Serrano
Meet Your Chef

Real food. Real care. Right in your kitchen.

Hey, I'm Carlos. A Southern California native now proudly based in Kansas City. I'm a self-taught chef and the heart behind The Makeshift Chef, a family-run personal chef service built on one simple idea: good food shouldn't be stressful.

I didn't grow up with culinary school credentials, but I did grow up around soulful meals. Whether you're gluten-free, dairy-light, low-carb, or just want to eat better without thinking about it, I've got you covered. My clients call me part chef, part coach, part food therapist.

- Carlos
5.0
Google Rating
11
5-Star Reviews
6
KC Neighborhoods
Read Full Story
Client Love

What Kansas City families are saying

★★★★★ 5.0 from 11 Google Reviews
"
★★★★★

Carlos is an incredible chef. His flavors are always on point and he saves us an extraordinary amount of time with meal planning, all while catering to our dietary restrictions.

EB
E. Baysinger
Verified Google Review
"
★★★★★

Would highly recommend Chef Carlos! His meals were healthy, delicious, on time, and made our life easier! He is open to feedback and gave me options to choose from. Portion sizes were large too!

LP
L. Peterson
Verified Google Review
"
★★★★★

We absolutely loved the meals he prepared for us and he introduced us to so many new dishes.

JS
J. Solar
Verified Google Review
Free Download

5 Kitchen Hacks for Busy Home Cooks

Not ready for a personal chef yet? Grab my free guide with 5 simple kitchen hacks that will save you hours every week, straight to your inbox.

  • Time-saving prep tips
  • Storage tricks that keep food fresh longer
  • Simple swaps for healthier meals
Get My Free Guide →
Kitchen hacks guide
FAQ

COMMON questions

Our meal prep service typically costs between $300 and $475 per week depending on the number of meals, household size, and dietary requirements. Grocery costs are billed separately. Every plan is custom, so pricing is confirmed after a free 15-minute consultation.
We serve the greater Kansas City metro area including Overland Park, Leawood, Prairie Village, Waldo, Brookside, and surrounding neighborhoods. If you are outside these areas, reach out and we will see what we can arrange.
Unlike meal delivery services, The Makeshift Chef cooks fresh meals directly in your home using real ingredients tailored to your dietary needs. There are no pre-packaged or frozen meals. Every dish is made fresh, customized to your household, and ready to enjoy throughout the week.
Absolutely. We specialize in customized meal prep for gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, high-protein, vegetarian, and family-friendly dietary needs. Every menu is built around your specific requirements using whole, fresh ingredients with bold flavors.
No. Many of our clients provide entry instructions and return to a fully prepped fridge and a spotless kitchen. Chef Carlos takes care of everything and leaves your space clean when done.

Ready to ditch the dinner stress?

Book a free 15-minute call and I'll walk you through how this could work for your family. No pressure, no commitment.

Book a Free Consultation →