CookUnity, the first and only chef-powered meal delivery platform, is taking its passion for great food and celebrated chefs to the streets of America with an interactive, flavor-packed scavenger hunt — and there’s cash involved. The brand has announced the launch of its nationwide Tomato Can Cash Drop, a bold and playful campaign that combines culinary enthusiasm with real-world adventure, offering Americans the chance to discover hidden treasures—literally—inside tomato cans scattered across major U.S. cities.
From Friday, June 20 to Tuesday, June 24, 2025, food lovers and thrill seekers alike can participate in the week-long scavenger hunt by following CookUnity’s official Instagram account (@CookUnity). Each day, the brand will release fresh clues pointing to the whereabouts of the mysterious, prize-filled cans in select culinary epicenters. The chosen cities for this immersive experience include Chicago, IL; New York, NY; and Austin, TX—destinations known not only for their vibrant food scenes but also for their active, enthusiastic communities.
Participants can also tune into hyper-local Instagram accounts to access city-specific clues:
- Chicago, IL: @chicagocollectors
- New York, NY: @findthecashny
- Austin, TX: @findthecashatx
Each tomato can discovered during the hunt contains a whopping $500 in cash and an additional $500 in CookUnity meal credits, making each can worth $1,000 in total rewards. With the prize funds, lucky winners can savor chef-crafted meals delivered straight to their doors, with menus curated by some of the world’s most decorated culinary legends.
The campaign is a celebration of both the culinary arts and popular culture’s growing obsession with chefs, from binge-worthy food TV shows to the increasingly elevated status of celebrity chefs. CookUnity is embracing this trend by offering fans a way to bridge the gap between admiration and access—delivering not only professionally designed meals to their tables but also the chance to engage directly with the joy and excitement surrounding the world of cooking.
“CookUnity’s mission is to connect real people with the talents, passions, and nourishing food of the very best chefs,” said Cam Ferrin, Vice President of Brand Marketing at CookUnity. “Our culture is obsessed with chefs and inspiring food, but the way we eat every day is far from that ideal. Tomato Can Cash Drop is our way of celebrating pop culture’s love for chefs, while also trying to close that gap and redefine our standards for daily eating, by bringing the expertise of chefs off our TV screens and onto our tables, every day.”
At the heart of this initiative lies CookUnity’s core philosophy: that exceptional food should be more than a rare restaurant experience—it should be a daily reality. That’s why CookUnity has collaborated with over 100 independent, award-winning chefs across the country, including acclaimed culinary figures such as:
- Jose Garces, a James Beard Award-winning chef known for his Latin American cuisine,
- Cat Cora, the first female Iron Chef on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,”
- Rick Bayless, another James Beard Award winner and a recognized authority in traditional Mexican cuisine.
Together, these chefs are helping redefine the meal delivery space, offering handcrafted dishes that reflect global influences, local ingredients, and seasonal freshness. The Tomato Can Cash Drop campaign brings that spirit of creativity, surprise, and culinary adventure into the real world.
How It Works: Scavenger Hunt + Sweepstakes
The rules are simple: every day from June 20–24, clues will be posted to the CookUnity and local scavenger hunt Instagram accounts. The first person to locate a hidden tomato can in their city will walk away with $500 in cash and $500 in CookUnity credits—enough to eat like a top-tier chef for weeks.
But don’t worry if you’re not in Chicago, New York, or Austin. CookUnity hasn’t forgotten about its fans across the rest of the country. A special nationwide digital sweepstakes ensures that food enthusiasts from all corners of the U.S. can still take part in the excitement. To enter:
- Follow @CookUnity on Instagram.
- Comment on the sweepstakes post with your favorite chef moment from a movie or TV show (think Chef, The Bear, or Julie & Julia).
- Tag a friend you’d love to hire as your sous-chef.
By doing so, you’re automatically entered for a chance to win the same $1,000 prize package—no street hunting required.
Important Legal Info
This campaign is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. The event officially begins on June 18, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. EDT and concludes on June 24, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. No purchase is necessary to participate. For full contest terms and conditions, please visit the official rules linked on CookUnity’s website or Instagram page.
A Celebration of Pop Culture’s Favorite Obsession: Chefs
From high-stakes cooking competitions to emotionally resonant culinary dramas, chefs have become some of our most admired cultural figures. CookUnity is tapping into this fascination, turning the chef from a distant icon into a daily culinary partner.
By offering restaurant-quality meals designed by chefs who’ve graced Michelin-starred kitchens and won prestigious accolades, CookUnity aims to democratize fine dining and bring the flair of top-tier cooking into every home. With the Tomato Can Cash Drop, the brand adds a dash of mystery, a sprinkle of competition, and a generous helping of fun to its already innovative approach to food delivery.
So whether you’re running through the streets of Chicago in search of a tomato can, tagging your foodie friend on Instagram, or just dreaming about your next chef-made meal, one thing is clear—CookUnity is on a mission to make every bite an experience.
As for the other meal delivery services? To borrow a term from the kitchen: 86’d
