diff --git a/scone/head/cli/__init__.py b/scone/head/cli/__init__.py
index 8e19286..b7b09db 100644
--- a/scone/head/cli/__init__.py
+++ b/scone/head/cli/__init__.py
@@ -45,6 +45,13 @@ async def cli_async() -> int:
 
         parser = ArgumentParser(description="Cook!")
         parser.add_argument("hostspec", type=str, help="Sous or group name")
+        parser.add_argument(
+            "--menu",
+            "-m",
+            type=str,
+            help="Specify a comma-separated list of names of menu to cook. "
+            "If not specified, all menus will be cooked.",
+        )
         parser.add_argument(
             "--yes",
             "-y",
@@ -64,7 +71,11 @@ async def cli_async() -> int:
                 eprint("Don't appear to be in a head. STOP.")
                 return 1
 
-        head = Head.open(str(cdir))
+        menu_subset = None
+        if argp.menu:
+            menu_subset = argp.menu.split(",")
+
+        head = Head.open(str(cdir), menu_subset)
 
         eprint(head.debug_info())
 
diff --git a/scone/head/head.py b/scone/head/head.py
index c7af248..cd9c4c9 100644
--- a/scone/head/head.py
+++ b/scone/head/head.py
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ class Head:
         self.pools = pools
 
     @staticmethod
-    def open(directory: str):
+    def open(directory: str, menu_subset: Optional[List[str]] = None):
         with open(path.join(directory, "scone.head.toml")) as head_toml:
             head_data = toml.load(head_toml)
 
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class Head:
 
         head = Head(directory, recipe_loader, sous, groups, secret_access, pools)
         head._load_variables()
-        head._load_menus()
+        head._load_menus(menu_subset)
         return head
 
     def _preload_variables(self, who_for: str) -> Tuple[dict, dict]:
@@ -159,9 +159,13 @@ class Head:
 
             self.variables[sous_name] = sous_vars
 
-    def _load_menus(self):
+    def _load_menus(self, subset: Optional[List[str]]):
         loader = MenuLoader(Path(self.directory, "menu"), self)
-        loader.load_menus_in_dir()
+        if subset:
+            for unit in subset:
+                loader.load(unit)
+        else:
+            loader.load_menus_in_dir()
         loader.dagify_all()
 
     # TODO remove