Reprieve from hours in the kitchen on a day of joy

A chef with Idachu cooks meals at a customer's house.

Happy customer

A Beijing woman who wanted to be identified only as Miss Lin said she was pleased with the Chinese New Year's Eve dinner service Idachu provided last year and is looking forward to similar service this year.

Before she started using the app her family used to go to restaurants on Chinese New Year's Eve because she is not a particularly good cook, she says.

"Cooking a big dinner by myself is just too much work, especially having to look after the special needs of children and old folk. It's great to have professionals help me out. There is no better place to have Spring Festival Eve dinner than at home."

Miss Lin, a jade dealer, says her work often requires her to negotiate deals with customers over a dinner table, and since knowing about the app last summer she has often invited customers to her home or private clubs to enjoy dinner that Idachu's chefs have prepared instead of going to a restaurant

The best thing is that most of the chefs, who are often good at several cuisines, can always cater to the varied tastes of her guests, she says.

She also appreciates the private atmosphere when such business dinners take place in her home or another private venue.

Nie attributes the popularity of the Spring Festival service to the profile of the app users.

"Our target market is those who are very particular about food safety, privacy and quality of life. They can't or don't want to cook but are willing to pay money in exchange for convenience and for maintaining their privacy."

Most customers age from the late 20s to the 40s, and are adept users of apps, he says.