Why can't I send my proposal?

There are three reasons the platform won't let you send a menu, and each one means something different.

The request has already closed

Every client request has three proposal slots. Once three chefs have replied, the request closes and no more proposals can be sent — including yours, even if you were part-way through writing it.

There's nothing to recover here. A closed request can't be reopened, and old quotes can't be retrieved once a request expires or the client books someone else.

What helps next time: keep your calendar and request settings accurate so you only see requests you can act on quickly, and save pre-set menus so you can reply in a couple of minutes rather than starting from scratch.

There's no menu field — it's a multiple service

If the proposal form only asks for a total price and gives you nowhere to type a menu, the request is for a multiple service — several meals across one or more days. These are quoted for your time and skills across the whole booking rather than per menu, and you plan the actual menus with the client after they book.

A quick way to tell the two apart: if you can send a menu proposal, it's a single service. If you can't, it's a multiple service.

Remember that on multiple services the ingredient cost isn't part of your quote — the client reimburses you on-site for each service, so keep your receipts.

It's an admin request or a custom request

Admin requests come from the Take a Chef/ PCM team rather than directly from a client, and the system doesn't let you build a menu inside them. Send your menu as a message in the request chat. That chat is with our Customer Success team, not the client — they'll review it, pass it to the client, and answer anything unclear about the request.

Take a Chef custom requests are also sent internally, usually to find a replacement chef after a cancellation, or for VIP clients, partners, luxury services or meal prep. The only action available is "I'm interested". Click it and our team will contact you through Messages with the details. You can't send a menu at that stage, and you don't need to.

What about a client whose budget is below your menus?

This doesn't stop you from sending a proposal. If the client's budget tier is lower than your usual pricing, you can still reply — either adapt one of your saved menus to fit, or build a simpler one for that budget. Staying inside the client's range makes it far more likely you'll be chosen, but nothing blocks you from proposing above it.

Still stuck?

If the request is a normal single service, still open, and the menu option isn't working, take a screenshot and contact support so we can look at that specific request.