Cost your recipes and GP right inside ChatGPT.

ChefSums works inside ChatGPT. Ask it to cost a recipe, work out GP with UK VAT taken off, scale a prep sheet to your covers or build a prep list, and it gets the answer from the same maths as the calculators on this site.

What it is

ChefSums is a set of kitchen costing tools that ChatGPT can call while you chat. You describe the dish, the pack prices or the par levels in plain words; ChatGPT passes them to ChefSums and shows you the costings. The tools are read-only: they work out numbers and never change anything in an account.

How to add it in ChatGPT

1. In ChatGPT, open the plugin directory (or Settings › Plugins).
2. Search for ChefSums. While the rename rolls out it may still show as PrepSheet.
3. Open it, review what it includes, and select Install plugin or Connect if shown. ChefSums needs no sign-in.
4. In a chat, mention it with @ or pick it from the + menu, then ask your question.

Steps follow OpenAI's help pages on plugins in ChatGPT. Menu names change often, and availability depends on your plan, region and workspace; if a step has moved, check OpenAI's help. Developers can also add the connector directly at https://chefsums.com/mcp; see the connector page.

The 6 tools

Cost a recipe cost_recipe

Cost any recipe from its ingredients: give the pack price, pack size and quantity used for each one. You get each line cost, the batch cost, cost per portion and a suggested menu price from a target food cost % (30% unless you say otherwise), ex-VAT and inc-VAT.

Calculate GP calculate_gp

UK gross profit for food and drink. Give the cost and the selling price to get GP % and GP per sale (VAT is taken off first, as UK hospitality measures it), or give a target GP % to get the menu price you need.

Build a prep list build_prep_list

Give the par level and the amount on hand for each item. Prep quantity is par minus on hand, never below zero, grouped by station.

List starter recipes list_starter_recipes

List ChefSums' library of pre-costed UK starter recipes (pub, café, restaurant and takeaway dishes) with base portions and ingredient cost per portion. You can search by name.

Get a recipe prep sheet get_recipe_prep_sheet

A prep sheet for one starter recipe scaled to your number of covers: every quantity scaled, the method, and the costing (batch cost, cost per portion, suggested menu price ex and inc 20% VAT).

Get a starter menu get_starter_menu

A ready-costed starter menu for a pub, café, restaurant or takeaway: every dish with its menu price, ingredient cost per portion, food cost % and GP %.

Try asking

• “Make me a prep sheet for cottage pie for 80 covers.”
• “Cost this recipe: 2 kg tomatoes from a £12 6 kg box, 500 g onions from a £6 10 kg sack, 200 ml cream from a £5 litre, makes 10 bowls. What should I charge?”
• “I sell a pint for £6.50 and it costs me £1.80. What's my GP?”
• “Build my prep list: shallots par 2 kg, have 0.6; stock par 10 L, have 4.”

Questions people ask

Do I need a ChefSums account?

No. The ChatGPT tools need no ChefSums account or sign-in. You need a ChatGPT account where plugins and apps are available; OpenAI decides that by plan, region and workspace settings.

Can it see my saved ChefSums recipes?

No. It cannot read or change a saved recipe book, an account, purchases or invoice scans. It only works with what you type into ChatGPT.

Does ChefSums store what I send?

No. The tools are read-only and do not store what ChatGPT sends them. ChatGPT's own data handling is covered by OpenAI's terms. Full details are under “Using ChefSums inside AI assistants” on the privacy page.

Are the prices my suppliers' prices?

Not for the starter recipes and menus: those use sample UK wholesale prices. When you cost your own recipe, the tool uses the pack prices you give it.

How accurate are the numbers?

They come from the same maths as the calculators on this site, but they are estimates, and ChatGPT can misread what you asked. Check the figures before you rely on them.

Is VAT included?

GP is worked out with UK VAT (20%) taken off the selling price first, the way UK hospitality measures it. Suggested menu prices are shown ex-VAT and inc-VAT.

It used to be called PrepSheet. Is it the same thing?

Yes. ChefSums was called PrepSheet, and the ChatGPT plugin may still show the old name in some places while the rename rolls out.

Does it work in Claude or other assistants?

Yes, anything that supports MCP connectors. See Use ChefSums in ChatGPT & Claude for the connector URL and setup.

Prefer a page? The same maths runs in the browser: the food cost calculator, the GP calculator and the recipe and prep sheet tool.