Prep real food. Make real friends.
Cook with new people on the weekend - leave with dinners for the week. Chef-led group meal prep - no shopping, planning, or cleanup. Just good food, new people, and 6 take-home meals. Last session: 90% said they'd join again. Next 2 sessions in Central NJ: 16 spots. Not from NJ? You can still join the waitlist - we'll update when we come to town.
How you fit in:
1. Show up on a weekend afternoon
Meet the group, grab an apron, and get oriented.
2. Cook together in chef-led stations
Chop, mix, portion, and prep alongside other locals.
3. Eat dinner together
After prep, we sit down and share a feast.
4. Leave with your week's dinners
Go home with 6 ready-to-eat portions across 4 dishes.
Join the crew, fill your fridge.
New events just dropped - grab your spot. Details here:
Our next events are live!
We just launched two new events, each for 16 guests only. Weekend sessions, 4:30-8:00pm. Hands-on cooking with guidance, take-home meals (including a dessert!) and building connections with new people. Includes 6 take-home meal portions and dining together when we finish prep. Plus, an extra surprise. Click below to secure your spot.
Sunday April 26: Asian-Inspired
On the menu: Two entrees, one side, one dessert. Plus we feast together!
Saturday May 2: Mediterranean-Inspired
On the menu: Two entrees, one side, one dessert. Plus we feast together!
Create meals and meaningful connections
A community that makes cooking feel less like a hassle and more like your weekly highlight. “The best part was sitting down and eating with everyone.” “A mix of wonderful socializing and learning something new in the kitchen.” “I didn’t know quite what to expect, but I left energized after meeting new people while learning, working, and feasting together.”
Chef-led guidance
A trained chef leads the session and handles prep questions. No cooking experience required.
Ready-made meals
Walk out with 6 portions across 4 different dishes, packed and ready for your fridge or freezer.
Rotating prep tasks
Move through different tasks: chopping, prepping, mixing, portioning. Everyone pitches in.
Plant-rich menus
Every meal stars veggies, legumes, and whole grains. The next sessions also feature a dessert!
Community dining
After prep, sit down together and enjoy a feast made with your hands, with your new neighbors.
We handle cleanup
Leave with meals prepped and packed. Our team takes care of the dishes and kitchen reset.
Real people, real results. 9/10 say they'd attend again.
Here's what Real Food Club members say 👇
A mix of wonderful socializing and learning something new in the kitchen.
Gabriela
Lawrence, NJ
The best part was meeting new people - and just watching everything come together and seeing all the food laid out.
Adolfo
Plainsboro, NJ
Surprising! I didn’t know quite what to expect, but I felt so energized having met new people while learning, working, and feasting together.
Liz
Hopewell, NJ
Fun, engaging, and great chefs.
Ravi
Monmouth Junction, NJ
A unique social gathering revolving around food, cooking, and community. I had a great experience with Chef Kathy, she was very kind and is a wonderful teacher. My favorite part was when our finished dishes were laid out on the counter!
Brianna
Hamilton, NJ
The best part was sitting down and eating with everyone. A lot of my friends are interested in joining!
Gabrielle
Ewing, NJ
Quick FAQ
Answers about our chef-led meal prep sessions, what to expect, and how to join.
Who's behind Real Food Club
We're a small team dedicated to making healthy eating social, simple, and fun. Every event is led by an experienced chef who cares about building community.
Shai
Founder & Organizer
Founder of Real Food Club and former executive director of a culinary, educational and sustainability-focused nonprofit. After moving to Central NJ - he felt the challenge of meeting new locals, and realized that others are also looking for ways to "bump into other people". Shai focuses on the social side: smooth flow, good energy, and helping strangers feel like a team.
Chef Kathy
Head Chef
Owner and executive chef of Jersey Girl Café. She’ll keep things moving, teach as we go, and make sure we leave with great food - and a good time.
Ready to fill up your fridge and meet your people?
Sign up now for access to our next chef-led session. Limited spots for 16 guests.