iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%100+58.7Reliability 26%99+25.8Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 100Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.100SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#6 of 22 home chefsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 76%
5.0★★★★★129 Google reviews · 24 photos
100%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Busy Bee Cook for Me five out of five stars based on 129 reviews. Customers describe the service as professional, punctual, and flexible, noting that staff accommodate dietary restrictions, adapt to venue changes, and maintain clear communication throughout planning. Recurring themes include high-quality food, attentive service, and thorough post-event cleanup. The owner replied to 44 percent of the reviews, and no common criticisms appear in the provided excerpts.
Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 129 reviews (100% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 129 Google reviews (113 with written comments, 4 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 44% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 22, 2026.
Service: Home Chef serving San Diego, California.
Data from Google, last updated October 27, 2026.
Score profile vs other home chefs
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: satisfaction and value; weakest: craft & service.
This companyHome Chefs median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Busy Bee Cook for Me | Caterer | Chef: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
100
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Busy Bee Cook for Me | Caterer | Chef: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
99
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Busy Bee Cook for Me | Caterer | Chef: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
99
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Busy Bee Cook for Me | Caterer | Chef: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 99.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Busy Bee Cook for Me | Caterer | Chef: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 52.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
129 Google reviews we collected
5.0of 5
5 stars129100%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star00%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 113 written reviews
99%praise
Praise15399%
Complaints11%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Would recommend5133%
Staff & attitude4026%
Quality & results3019%
Speed & response1610%
Price & value75%
Communication64%
Honesty & trust43%
What customers talk about
We read 113 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“We highly recommend them to anyone looking for delicious food and outstanding catering service!”
“Lilian was professional and friendly from our initial call until the end of the evening.”
“Marvin provided great service…above what we anticipated.”
“The owner was very responsive to our menu preferences and the food was ALL delicious.”
“The food was delicious, plentiful, and very reasonably priced especially considering the short time frame.”
“Lillian communicated exceptionally well throughout the planning process .”
“Lillian handled everything — from groceries to plating and cleanup — with calm confidence and genuine warmth.”
People customers mention
Lilian44 reviews
Lillian14 reviews
Airbnb3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
D6 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 days ago★★★★★
We reached out to Lilian to help us with a 9 person dinner party at our home. Lilian was professional and friendly from our initial call until the end of the evening. The food was superb and the service was exceptional. Everyone enjoyed the feast from appetizers that were passed around during the cocktail hour, a…
Alice7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 days ago★★★★★
We had a wonderful experience! The food was delicious, and the staff provided excellent, attentive service throughout the event.
The rain forced us to change our plans from outdoor gathering to an indoor setup. The staff were incredibly helpful and accommodating, assisting us with moving the tables and chairs…
Alan4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited 3 weeks ago★★★★★
Lilian and her staff were wonderful. The food was delicious while the attentiveness of her servers was the best we’ve ever experienced. We will use her again and recommend her as exceptional.
Joy3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★
Lilian and her staff are amazing! Food is always delicious and the staff is always helpful and friendly. I use Busy Bee for almost all my events.
Ted8 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★
Lilian is a fantastic chef and she takes care of all the details. Whenever I need a catering service Busy Bee Cook for Me is the choice for me. I have never heard a complaint from any of my guests.
Michelle10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
We had an amazing meal prepared by Chef Lilian and Sous Chef Cory. My 2 oldest granddaughters got to prepare their own pizzas while the adults enjoyed happy hour with some amazing appetizers. It was so relaxing to be in our Airbnb while our meal was being prepared.
I highly recommend Busy Bee Cook for Me for your…
We reached out to Lilian to help us with a 9 person dinner party at our home. Lilian was professional and friendly from our initial call until the end of the evening. The food was superb and the service was exceptional. Everyone enjoyed the feast from appetizers that were passed around during the cocktail hour, a deliciously prepared multi course meal, all the way to the scrumptious dessert. Thank you Lilian and Corey for a beautiful and memorable evening!!
Alice M7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Alice has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We had a wonderful experience! The food was delicious, and the staff provided excellent, attentive service throughout the event.
The rain forced us to change our plans from outdoor gathering to an indoor setup. The staff were incredibly helpful and accommodating, assisting us with moving the tables and chairs indoors so everything could go smoothly. We truly appreciated their flexibility, positive attitude, and willingness to help make the Birthday Celebration special. Thank you to the entire Busy Bee Cook for Me team for helping make my husband's milestone birthday celebration memorable. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for delicious food and outstanding catering service!
Alan Sugarman4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Alan has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Lilian and her staff were wonderful. The food was delicious while the attentiveness of her servers was the best we’ve ever experienced. We will use her again and recommend her as exceptional.
Joy Yazel3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Joy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Lilian is a fantastic chef and she takes care of all the details. Whenever I need a catering service Busy Bee Cook for Me is the choice for me. I have never heard a complaint from any of my guests.
Michelle Hauganm10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Michelle has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We had an amazing meal prepared by Chef Lilian and Sous Chef Cory. My 2 oldest granddaughters got to prepare their own pizzas while the adults enjoyed happy hour with some amazing appetizers. It was so relaxing to be in our Airbnb while our meal was being prepared.
I highly recommend Busy Bee Cook for Me for your next catered meal. It’s so worth it!
Thanks again Chef Lilian!!!
Carolyn Dubuque14 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Carolyn has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
This catering service is outstanding! The owner was very responsive to our menu preferences and the food was ALL delicious. The day of our party the service staff was very smooth and obviously well trained. I wholeheartedly recommend this company.
Ken BurhopLocal Guide · 13 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Ken has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
This is the second year in a row that we hired Lilian (Busy Bee catering) for a post-holiday social for about 60 people. As in the past, the food was fantastic and we had nothing but positive comments and feedback from our guests regarding the food and service. We were very happy with how they worked in our home, prepared the food, treated us and our guests and cleaned up afterwards. I would have nothing but positive feedback and would say that I am very confident that you would be extremely happy if you worked with them. They are a real treasure and so easy to work with.
Response from the owner · a year ago
Thank you so much for your awesome review! We’re so happy to hear that you and your guests loved the food and service, it was truly a pleasure to be part of your event. We always aim to make things as easy and enjoyable as possible, so knowing you had such a great experience means a lot. We’d love to work with you again in the future!
Chris Morin5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Chris has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Due to some obligations at home, my wife and I couldn't make it out for our anniversary dinner, so we decided to give Chef Lillian a try. This was our first experience with a private chef and we were blown away. Chef Lillian was charming and professional and the food she prepared was some of the best food I've ever eaten. Everything was plated beautifully and every bite was delicious. We will definitely be doing this again and I can't recommend Busy Bee Cook for Me enough.
Karin PayneLocal Guide · 12 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Karin has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I had the pleasure of working with Lillian/Busy Bee Cook for Me this past October. Our daughter got married in San Diego (we are from Wisconsin) on the JADA sailboat and Lillian did the appetizer catering. Her suggestions were spot on, and everything was fantastic. I wanted a bit more than cookies for the dessert, she came up with the most gorgeous and delicious bite size sweets, they were picture perfect. Thank you, Lillian, for making our daughter's wedding cocktail party on the sailboat, one for all of us to always remember!
