PROOFED & POLISHED

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

With over 15 years experience in the hospitality industry, I’ve survived the rushes as a line cook, prepped until the sun came down, greeted guests at the host stand, and executed high-stakes events as a caterer.

I have an attention for detail and for years have noticed inconsistencies on menus which distracts from the star, the food itself. What started as an eagle-eyed habit has evolved into a dedicated mission: ensuring your written presentation matches your culinary excellence.

WHY MENUS MATTER

The menu is one of the first things a customer looks at and a misspelling isn’t just a typo—it’s a distraction from your craft. Whether it’s a misspelled charcuterie, an inconsistent font, or a confusing description, small errors can subtly chip away at a guest's overall experience.

WHAT I DO

I don't just check for spelling. I look for:

Culinary Accuracy: Ensuring regional dishes and technical terms are used correctly.
Consistency: Standardizing capitalization, currency formatting, and descriptions.
Flow: Making sure your menu is as intuitive to read as it is delicious to eat.

MENU SERVICE TIERS & PRICING

1. THE APPETIZER

Price: $75 – $125( up to 2 pages)

Best for: Quick refreshes of existing menus.

Linguistic Sweep: Correction of typos, culinary accents, and grammatical inconsistencies.
Pricing Syntax: Ensuring all prices are formatted identically (e.g., removing ".00" or standardizing currency symbols).
The "Double Check": Verification of phone numbers, social handles, and operation hours listed on the menu.
Deliverable: A simple Error Report (bulleted list of specific text strings to change).
Turnaround: 24–48 hours

2. THE MAIN COURSE

Price: $195 – $275 (Up to 4 pages)

Best for: Restaurants looking to elevate their "vibe" and perceived value.

Everything in Tier 1 +
Sensory Copy Polish: Light editing of dish descriptions to ensure they sound appetizing and match the brand’s "voice."
Visual Consistency Check: Identifying font-style mismatches, erratic spacing, or "hanging words" (widows) that look unprofessional.
Deliverable: A Marked-up Image/PDF (using digital "red ink" comments

3. THE FULL FEAST

Price: $450 – $600+

Best for: High-volume spots or new concepts.

Everything in Tier 1 & 2 +
Menu Engineering Scan: Identifying "friction points" (like price-leader dots) and recommending the placement of high-margin items in "prime real estate" areas.
Cross-Platform Sync: Verifying that your website menu, QR code, and physical printouts match exactly (preventing "price surprises" for guests).
Deliverable: A Comprehensive Strategy Report including the markup and a 1-page summary of layout recommendations.

POPULAR ADD-ON OPTIONS

Rush Delivery Final proof returned in under 12 hours.+$50

Consumer Advisory Adding legally required FDA raw/undercooked warnings in the correct legal font size. Included in Tiers 2 + 3.

Scope of Service: I provide linguistic, formatting, and strategic audits to ensure brand excellence. I do not verify ingredients, nutritional data, or allergen disclosures. All changes are provided as recommendations; the Client retains final authority and responsibility for all menu content and master file updates.

A: To ensure you maintain total control over your branding and design, I do not alter your master files. I provide a comprehensive Correction Report and a marked-up PDF. This allows you (or your designer) to implement the changes exactly how you want them.
A: Most audits are delivered within 24 to 48 business hours. If you are on a tight printing deadline, "Rush Delivery" (same day) is available as an add-on.
A: My expertise is in brand integrity, linguistic precision, and revenue strategy. I do not verify ingredients or health-related disclosures. Final approval of all culinary and regulatory content remains with the restaurant’s culinary team.
A: Once you submit your menu for audit, I will send a digital invoice. Work begins as soon as the invoice is settled. I accept all major credit cards and digital payments.
A: My standard tiers cover menus up to 4 pages. For extensive wine lists or multi-page books, please reach out for a custom quote tailored to the scale of your cellar.

Let’s Perfect Your Menu

Whether you’re launching a seasonal refresh, opening a new concept, or just tired of spotting that one typo after the menus have been printed—I’m here to help.

I work meticulously and independently, which means I spend most of my time "eyes down" on scripts and proofs. To ensure I give every menu my full attention, email and messaging are my preferred methods of contact.

How to Reach Me

Email: Nikki@proofedandpolished.com
Response Time: I typically respond to all inquiries within 24 business hours.

Need to Chat?

For complex projects or long-term partnerships, I’m happy to hop on a call to discuss your brand’s specific style guide and requirements. Please send an email first to schedule a time.

Ready for a Quote?

To get the ball rolling, feel free to attach a draft or a link to your current menu in your initial message.

Note: Please specify your timeline and any specific formatting preferences (e.g., AP Style, Chicago Manual, or your own custom house style).