CookUnity: The Chef-powered Platform Revolutionizing Home Dining
CookUnity, the chef-powered platform revolutionizing home dining, has officially launched in Canada.
CookUnity, a U.S.-based chef-driven platform that is transforming home dining, has officially launched in Canada after its acquisition of Toronto startup Cookin in 2024. With a mission to connect independent chefs directly to consumers, CookUnity offers a more personal, high-quality alternative to traditional restaurant dining.
As Canadians increasingly seek unique chef-crafted meals at home, the timing for this expansion couldn’t be better. Led by a homegrown team, the brand aims to tap into Canada’s rich and diverse culinary landscape while giving chefs the freedom to create on their own terms. City Life had the opportunity to sit down with Michael Baruch and Morley Ivers to learn more.
Q: You’ve described CookUnity as “redefining the future of food.” What exactly does that future look like from your perspective?
Morley: From our perspective, the future of food is personal, chef-driven and decentralized. It’s about moving away from anonymous mass production and returning to something more human, where you know the chef behind your meal and can truly taste the craftsmanship. Technology allows us to scale this sense of intimacy without compromising authenticity. There’s simply nothing like it in the marketplace.
Q: The platform boasts dishes from both homegrown Canadian chefs and international stars. How do you curate and select chefs for the roster?
Michael: We’re highly selective. We seek out chefs with a deep commitment to their craft, a distinct culinary point of view, and who have a passion for connecting with diners in new and meaningful ways. In Canada we’re proud to partner with award-winning chefs like Michelin-starred Patrick Kriss and Michelin-recommended Rocco Agostino, as well as incredible emerging talents. Every chef on our platform is personally vetted to ensure their food and philosophy align with our mission. We currently feature eight Canadian chefs alongside three international chefs, each proudly making their Canadian debut.
Q: What sets CookUnity apart from other meal-delivery services currently available in Canada?
Morley: We’re not another meal- delivery service. CookUnity is the first chef-to-consumer meal marketplace — built for chefs, not just built to scale. Every dish on our platform is created and tested by the chefs themselves, not by anonymous test kitchens. Our model gives consumers access to a diverse, ever-evolving menu of restaurant-calibre meals at home. At the same time, we’re giving chefs the freedom to create, connect and grow — without the burden of operational overhead or a fixed restaurant footprint.
Q: With chefs like Patrick Kriss and Trevor Lui involved, how do you ensure that the integrity of their restaurant-quality dishes translates in a home-delivered format?
Michael: Our chef partners develop their menu and personally craft each recipe. It’s also the chefs’ own team of culinary professionals who are preparing and cooking every meal. We use precise cooking and packaging methods to ensure the integrity of every dish from the kitchen to the doorstep. The goal is for customers to experience the chef ’s vision exactly as intended.
Q: Sustainability is a major talking point in your model. Can you speak to how CookUnity balances convenience with environmental responsibility?
Morley: We’re deeply committed to sustainability. That means sourcing local Toronto ingredients where possible, minimizing food waste through a made-to-order production model and using recyclable and compostable packaging materials. Our logistics network is also designed to reduce emissions by centralizing production, optimizing delivery routes, as well as picking up reusable bags from the previous week’s delivery for sanitization and reuse.
“CookUnity is the first chef-to-consumer meal marketplace — built for chefs, not just built to scale.”
Q: You mentioned that CookUnity eliminates overhead for chefs by handling logistics. How does this model empower independent culinary talent?
Michael: Our platform removes the barriers that often limit independent chefs — no need for real estate, front-of-house staffing or a large capital investment. We handle the logistics, such as ordering, delivery and customer service, allowing chefs to focus entirely on their craft and connect directly with their customers. This model gives chefs new creative freedom and business ownership in a way that traditional restaurants often can’t. This is the future of food.
Q: How do you plan to scale this service across Canada while maintaining the same level of quality and chef involvement?
Morley: We are growing thoughtfully, city by city. Quality and chef involvement are non-negotiable, so we prioritize building strong local teams and partnerships in every market. Our technology also plays a crucial role, giving chefs powerful tools to scale their creativity without sacrificing quality. We expect to begin servicing Quebec in the coming months and the west coast of Canada next year.
Q: Looking ahead to 2026, what’s the ultimate vision for CookUnity in Canada, and what impact do you hope to have on the country’s culinary landscape?
Michael: We want CookUnity to be the home for Canada’s most exciting culinary talent — and the first place consumers think of when they’re craving an unforgettable meal at home. More broadly, our goal is to empower a new generation of chefs and contribute to a more sustainable, personal and connected food culture across Canada. We’re also excited to see more incredible chefs, like Sand Tsoi, make the transition from Cookin to CookUnity.