CookUnity Secures $250M to Accelerate US Expansion and Redefine Chef-to-Consumer Dining

CookUnity has secured up to $250 million in non-dilutive financing from General Catalyst, one of the largest recent capital injections into the prepared-meals sector and a significant validation of the chef-to-consumer model. The raise follows a year of rapid operational growth, with the New York-based company reporting a more than 75% increase in total meals ordered for the twelve months ending October 2025.

As the broader prepared-meal category stabilizes after years of volatility across meal kits and restaurant delivery apps, CookUnity has emerged as a distinct alternative. Rather than relying on centralized menu development or standardized production, the company operates a decentralized model built around independent chefs, pairing culinary creativity with scalable logistics.

A Platform Built Around Chefs, Not Just Meals

Founded in 2016, CookUnity provides chefs with fully equipped kitchens, sourcing, packaging, delivery, and customer support, while allowing them to maintain full creative freedom. It has become a new kind of digital restaurant ecosystem, one where chefs can expand their reach without opening additional brick-and-mortar locations.

Chefs on the platform earn an average of $850,000 per year, with top earners surpassing $7 million. Today CookUnity hosts more than 180 chefs and offers a weekly menu of more than 300 dishes spanning signature regional recipes, global flavors, and dishes from some of the most recognized names in North American dining.

The company’s roster has grown significantly this year, adding Marcus Samuelsson, Rick Bayless, and Cat Cora, while expanding its Canadian footprint with Michelin-starred chef Patrick Kriss. Established U.S. chefs such as Einat Admony, Jose Garces, and Chris Ratel have also extended their offerings into Canada through the platform.

General Catalyst Backs the Next Phase of Growth

The fresh financing will allow CookUnity to expand its marketing efforts, deepen customer acquisition across the United States and Canada, and broaden its geographic network. From a single Brooklyn kitchen, the company now operates eight kitchens across North America, with plans to add more locations to improve speed, freshness, and regional coverage.

A significant part of this next chapter is the upcoming brand campaign, “Chefs to the People,” designed to strengthen subscriber engagement and reinforce CookUnity’s mission to make chef-crafted meals accessible in homes across the continent. The campaign underscores the company’s long-standing narrative: exceptional dining experiences shouldn’t be limited to restaurants.

Co-founder and CEO Mateo Marietti describes the moment as both a strategic acceleration and a scaling of connection. “We’re building a model that supports both sides of the table: customers who want exceptional food, and chefs who deserve a platform to grow their brands and reach more people,” he says. “This next chapter is about scale and connection.”

COO Aalok Kapoor highlights the significance of the raise: “The General Catalyst investment validates the scalability of our model and fuels our mission to bring award-winning chef-made meals accessible to millions of consumers throughout North America. A key part of that growth is our unmatched variety… this diversity is what makes CookUnity truly unique.”

With strong subscriber demand, record order volumes, and a financial runway designed for aggressive expansion, CookUnity is positioning itself as a central player in the evolution of prepared meals. As it enters this next stage, growing its chef roster, widening its footprint, and investing in brand identity, CookUnity is betting big on a future where culinary talent and consumer convenience go hand in hand.