Your family's cookbook. Nobody else's business.
Distant Kitchens isn't a public recipe site with a "private" checkbox bolted on. Every family gets its own separate space from the start.
Never a shared database
Your family's recipes, photos, and comments live in your family's own space — not mixed into a shared database with anyone else's family.
No public directory
There's no browsing other families' cookbooks and no search engine finding your recipes. It's invite-only, by design.
You decide who's in
Only the people you invite can see or add anything. Removing someone's access is as simple as inviting them was.
Questions families ask us
Is our family’s cookbook really separate from everyone else’s?
Yes. Each family’s vault runs in its own isolated server environment on Fly.io. There’s no shared database of recipes between families, no public browsing, no ads and no ad tracking, and no way for anyone outside your invite list to see anything.
Can we export our recipes and do we own our data?
Yes. Your recipes are yours. You can export your family’s recipes at any time, not just when you’re closing an account, so your cookbook is never trapped here. You can also download the whole cookbook as a PDF. Printed cookbooks are planned.
Is it easy enough for older relatives who aren’t tech-savvy?
That’s who we design for. There’s nothing to install: relatives open an invite link in their phone’s or computer’s browser and sign in with a password or with Google. Recipes are big, clear pages with the photos and stories right there.
How many people can join?
Every plan starts with room for 6 people. Need more? Add another block of 6 people for +$6/month (or +$60/year on an annual plan), whenever your family grows.
Do I need a credit card to start my free trial?
Yes — we ask for a card to start your 14-day free trial and subscription up front, but you won't be charged until the trial ends, and you can cancel any time, no long-term commitment.
Can I give Distant Kitchens as a gift?
Gifts are opening soon. You'll be able to buy a year of Distant Kitchens for someone and have it start when they're ready. See the gift page.
Can I import recipes from other websites?
Yes — paste a link from most recipe websites, or paste text copied from an email, message, or AI chat. You'll always review the draft before anything is saved.
Is there an app to download?
Not from an app store yet. Distant Kitchens works in your phone’s or computer’s browser, and you can add it to your home screen on iPhone or Android so it opens like an app. See how to install it. An app-store app is on our roadmap.
Your family's next Thanksgiving deserves a better place than a group text.
Get everyone's recipes in one place before the holidays. Start your 14-day free trial: card required, but you won't be charged until the trial ends. Cancel anytime.