We were lucky to catch up with Marvin Lim recently and have shared our conversation below.
Marvin , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard
**Topic: Is there something you do differently from the industry standard?**
At *TheKitchenTable* (TKT), we’ve reimagined the dining experience by making private chef services accessible, personalized, and affordable. Unlike industry standards where private chefs are often exclusive to high-income households or luxury events, TKT focuses on democratizing this experience for families, food lovers, and small gatherings.
What sets us apart is our chef-first approach. Most platforms prioritize convenience or speed, like traditional food delivery services. In contrast, we prioritize the chef’s passion and craft, giving them the flexibility and autonomy to thrive. By building a supportive community of chefs and connecting them directly with diners, we create an experience that feels personal, meaningful, and human.
One story that highlights this is a family who booked a private chef through TKT for a birthday dinner. They shared how the chef’s storytelling, menu customization, and interaction transformed the evening into something far beyond what they’d expected. This wouldn’t have been possible with a standard restaurant or catering experience.
By doing things differently—valuing the craft of cooking and focusing on relationships—we’re not just providing meals; we’re creating lasting memories for our clients and sustainable careers for chefs.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Marvin Lim, co-founder of TheKitchenTable (TKT), and my journey into this business is deeply personal. Growing up, I saw family members pour their heart and soul into cooking, but struggle to make a sustainable living from it. That inspired me to create TKT—a platform that not only connects people with incredible chefs but also empowers those chefs to thrive on their own terms.
At TKT, we provide private chef services that are accessible, affordable, and completely personalized. Whether it’s an intimate family dinner, a celebration with friends, or a cooking lesson, we solve the problem of making memorable dining experiences effortless and unique. For our chefs, we solve the challenge of navigating a tough industry by offering them flexibility, autonomy, and a direct connection to people who value their craft.
What sets us apart is our mission to make private dining something everyone can enjoy, not just a luxury reserved for the few. We’re about more than great food—it’s about creating connection, joy, and a sense of belonging around the dinner table.
One of the proudest moments in this journey was when a client shared how having a chef cook at their home turned an ordinary birthday into a memory their family will treasure forever. For the chef, it was equally rewarding—a chance to bring their passion to life in a way that felt meaningful and appreciated.
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s this: TheKitchenTable is about more than food. It’s about people, stories, and the belief that the best moments in life happen when we come together to share a meal. Whether you’re a food lover looking for something unique or a chef ready to rediscover your passion, TKT is here to make it happen.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
At TheKitchenTable (TKT), keeping in touch with our chefs and clients is at the heart of everything we do. For our chefs, I prioritize regular check-ins to ensure they feel supported, empowered, and excited about their work. We talk about their ideas for menus or events, explore ways to highlight their unique talents, and collaborate to create meaningful experiences for clients.
For clients, it’s all about personal connection. I make it a point to get to know them—their preferences, the occasions they’re celebrating, and what truly matters to them. When planning an event, I actively listen to their ideas and explore creative ways to bring their vision to life. By doing this, we don’t just offer a service; we build relationships that keep clients coming back because they feel seen, heard, and valued.
Ultimately, fostering loyalty is about showing both chefs and clients that TKT is invested in their success and happiness, not just as professionals or customers, but as people.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
Being a young startup founder means learning to be scrappy and resourceful. When I started TheKitchenTable, I didn’t have a lot of money, but I knew I had to make it work. I had already been working three jobs to save up what little I could, which helped cover the basics.
I also got creative—bootstrapping small funds from personal credit cards with US Bank and JP Morgan Chase, while being mindful of what I could afford to risk. On top of that, I found ways to bring chefs on board without a big budget by putting myself in their shoes. I shared the vision of what TKT could become and focused on creating value for them in the long term, which helped me secure their trust and partnership early on.
It wasn’t easy, but starting with limited resources taught me to focus on what matters most: building relationships, delivering value, and creating a mission-driven business that people believe in. That scrappy mindset has stayed with me and continues to guide how we grow TKT today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tkteats.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thekitchentable_official/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marvinlim1999/
Image Credits
Marvin Lim