Introduction

MealMate is a platform designed to connect individuals who enjoy cooking together or wish to earn by fulfilling food requests nearby. Users can post requests, appeal for requests, and collaborate with others for a shared cooking experience. This guide will help you understand how to navigate and use the MealMate application effectively. Whether you're a new user or looking to troubleshoot an issue, this manual provides all the necessary information.

Getting Started

Step 1: Registration and Login

• Navigate to the MealMate homepage.

• Click on Sign Up.

• Fill out the registration form with:

  • Name
  • Email
  • Password
  • Phone number
  • Address
  • [Optional] If you’re a chef, upload your food handling certificate to activate chef-specific features

• Click Register.

  

• Use your credentials to log in.

  

Step 2: Navigating the Dashboard

• Once logged in, the Dashboard is the central hub.
• Key sections:

  • Requests: View and manage food requests.

  • Appeals: Respond to nearby requests.

  • Profile: Update personal details.

  • Use the sidebar for easy navigation.

    

    

Main Features

Posting a Food Request (For Requesters)

1. Click on the ‘Find a mate’ button.

   

2. Fill in the request form:

   • Food preferences
   • Budget
   • Date and time
   • Location (auto-filled or manually entered)

3. Submit the request.

4. View your posted requests in the My Requests section.

   

Responding to Requests (For Chefs)

1. Open the Available Requests tab.

2. Filter requests within your 3 km radius.

3. Click Appeal to respond to a request.

   

4. Provide a message and details about your offer.

   

5. Wait for the requester to accept or reject your appeal.

Managing Appeals and Bookings

1. Requesters can view all appeals for their posted requests in the Available Appeals section.

   

2. Accept or reject an appeal based on the chef's rating and response.

3. Confirm accepted bookings and finalize details.

4. Chefs can track accepted bookings in their My Mates section.

   

5. Requester can give rating to the chef.

   

Profile Management

Updating Personal Information

1. Navigate to the Profile section from profile icon.

2. Edit fields such as:

   • Name
   • Phone number
   • Email address
   • Password (requires current password for verification).

3. Save changes.

   

Uploading Food Handling Certificates (For Chefs)

1. In the Profile section, click on Upload Certificate.
2. Choose the file and upload it.
3. Upon approval, chef-specific features will be activated.

Statistics

Total Food Requests

• Description: This card shows the total number of food requests made in the last 30 days.

Total Appeals

• Description: This card displays the total number of appeals made in the last 30 days.

Average Appeals per Request

• Description: This card shows the average number of appeals made per food request over the last 30 days.

Monthly Data Chart

• Description: A bar chart visualizes the number of food requests and appeals over the last six months.