How Prepping Meals Is Just Like Prepping an Airbnb
Featuring J-Ann Mendoza – Private Chef Turned Partner Success Manager

When you think about the precision, planning, and creativity that go into crafting the perfect sushi roll, you might not immediately think of vacation rental management. But for J-Ann Mendoza, the connection couldn’t be clearer.

J-Ann, who was born and raised in the culinary capital of the Philippines—Pampanga, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from Angeles University Foundation. Her passion for hospitality led her to the United States in 2011, where she has been thriving in the industry ever since.

In 2021, she took on the role of a private chef, with her signature dish—sushi—quickly becoming a favorite. But J-Ann didn’t stop there. In March 2024, she joined Hosteeva part-time as an admin assistant in Myrtle Beach while continuing her private chef work. Just one year later, she was promoted to Partner Success Manager, helping property owners streamline and elevate their listings on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.
Hosteeva currently manages properties in 16 countries—and expanding—allowing J-Ann to work with a diverse portfolio of listings and a truly global team.

From the Kitchen to the Keys: It’s All About Preparation

Here’s how J-Ann sees the similarities between preparing meals and prepping vacation rentals:

1. Mise en Place = The Host Checklist

J-Ann never started a meal without first organizing all her ingredients—and she applies that same mindset to every new property she onboards. Her philosophy?
 Everything is in place, everything is accounted for.

2. Presentation Is Everything

As a chef, she knew that people eat with their eyes first. As a hospitality pro, she reminds every owner that great photos are non-negotiable.
"You can have the most poetic description, but if the photos don’t pop, the listing gets skipped," she often says.

3. Sushi Tutorials = Owner Onboarding

Teaching others how to roll sushi step by step was one of her favorite parts of being a chef. Now, she applies the same approach to hosting—making onboarding easy and setting clear expectations from the beginning.

4. Clean As You Go—Literally and Figuratively

Whether in the kitchen or managing multiple properties, J-Ann knows that staying ahead of problems is the secret sauce to success. Small details make a big impact.

5. From Slicing Tuna to Streamlining Listings

Her “aha” moment came when she realized the same principles she lived by as a chef—organization, hospitality, attention to detail—translated perfectly into property management. She simply switched her apron for a dashboard.

 A Global Perspective

With Hosteeva’s growing presence in 16 countries, J-Ann supports property owners with local care backed by global power. Whether it’s onboarding a beach condo in Myrtle Beach or a luxury apartment in Europe, she brings her signature precision, warmth, and high standards to every unit.

 Want to Work With J-Ann?

Whether you’re a first-time host or scaling your rental business, J-Ann is here to help. With her deep background in hospitality and a passion for excellence, she makes onboarding simple, personalized, and stress-free.

Ready to elevate your short-term rental? Let’s roll.

Want to check out a demo? Here's the link! https://tinyurl.com/2cxt7ya8