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‘Effortless Travel’: Why Airbnb Guests Are Using This Atlanta Startup To Book Personal Chefs

Atlanta Startup Livin Lands Airbnb Partnership to Bring Personal Chefs to Rentals

Edited in Tezza with: SUGAR

Airbnb has long sold travelers on the fantasy of a home away from home.

But “home” requires grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning.

Travelers are looking for options that are “meaningful, comfortable, and effortless” when they are on the road for work or for vacation, says the team behind Atlanta-based startup Livin.

Their solution? Give travelers their own personal chef.

Livin announced last month that it is now partnering with Airbnb, making Livin’s personal chefs available directly through the travel giant’s website. Airbnb travelers now have the option to get healthy, personalized meals prepared directly at their rental space, saving them time and giving them an alternative to eating out for every meal.

The Airbnb partnership is a natural extension of Livin’s platform, which connects busy families with vetted local chefs who prepare personalized meals in a user’s kitchen. Now, people can enjoy that same comfort when they are on the road.

“We were eager and had been trying to connect with Airbnb for some time without much traction,” Erica Tuggle, Livin’s founder and CEO. Tuggle and the team ultimately connected with Airbnb through Allen Narcisse, who helped connect the startup with Airbnb’s Head of Services (Americas) and the Senior Marketing Manager for their Services team.

“Like most opportunities, it started with a clear pitch. I focused on sharing our vision for Livin, our values, and what we’ve built, especially our network of vetted chefs, diverse menu offerings, and accessible pricing. I emphasized what would be most valuable to Airbnb and its guests, as well as what differentiates Livin from other private chef services,” Tuggle told Hypepotamus about the experience of building a partnership with Airbnb. “From there, the process has been highly collaborative, which we’ve really appreciated. Airbnb has been a strong partner in providing insights and guidance on how to grow within their platform. We’ve worked closely together on everything from pricing and imagery to seasonal planning, making it a very thoughtful and strategic partnership.”

Livin is currently available to travelers in Atlanta and Los Angeles.

Tuggle said that early feedback on the partnership “suggests that travelers are increasingly looking for unique, elevated experiences during their stay and appreciate feeling taken care of.”

“Many guests want the comfort and space of an Airbnb without the added effort of cooking, cleaning or hosting themselves. Whether it’s a brunch, a dinner party, or a few days of meal prep, Livin offers a seamless way to enhance the experience by bringing restaurant-quality dining directly into the home.”

Since launching in 2021, Livin’s chefs have prepared over 30,000 meals.

Photos provided by Livin