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4.2

Great rating - 4.2/5 (11114+ reviews)

Do you need help with meal preparation?

  • Home cooking
  • Cooking Lessons
  • Vegetarian meal preparation
  • Vegan meal preparation
  • Meal planning
  • … or anything else
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Best rated cooks near me

Recent Cooking reviews

Fantastic, great communication and delicious food! Highly recommend

Private Chef for Family Meal Prep

$200

Great service and prompt response

Meal prep chef

$10

Looks amazing 🤩

Cake 60th birthday

$150

Thank you so much Cas, what a beautiful cake you’ve made!

Custom made cake

$100

So impressed with the presentation and the first couple of meals have been nothing short of delicious! The variety is spot on with a good balance of nutrition and flavour, very very impressed

Cooking meal prep

$5

Annette has such an attention to detail, pleasure to work with, I'd highly recommend!

Barbie decorated birthday cupcakes

$5

What's the average cost of a cook

$85 - $225

low

$85

median

$150

high

$225

Low, median and high bar chart distribuiton

Average reviews for Cooking Services

based on 465 reviews

4.91

440
16
4
4
1

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Hire trusted Cooks with Airtasker

Cooking is one of those skills that takes a moment to learn but a lifetime to master. Those who choose to master it over a lifetime are generally highly sought after, and for good reason.

Whether you’re a catering company who needs a chef to help serve up food at a gala event, a restaurant who requires the short term assistance of a chef while they search for a long term staffer, or perhaps even a hopeless romantic who wants to engage the services of a private chef to make an anniversary particularly special, you can now gain access to a huge amount of talent, and all at the click of a button.

Simply tell us about the job that you’d like the chef to do and suggest what you’d be willing to pay, and you’ll soon begin to receive offers from available chefs. Each chef comes with ratings and detailed reviews of their previous work, so you can be confident that your chosen hire will be able to produce the sort of quality food that you require.

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Top Cooking related questions

Professional cooks usually have previous kitchen experience or qualifications. They’re paid to prepare food, either in a commercial environment, in people’s homes as a personal cook, or they may work from their own kitchen at home.

Yes. Most cooks specialise in a particular type of cooking, like baking, seafood, gluten-free, vegan, steaming, frying, or even a particular cuisine.

A professional cook doesn’t necessarily need any set qualifications, but it’s common for professional chefs to hold a certificate or have some work experience in a professional kitchen.

Professional cooks can give you a restaurant quality meal but in the comfort (and convenience) of your own home. If you’re hosting a dinner party, it means you can spend more time with your guests and minimise the clean up afterwards.

This will depend on whether your cook is assembling the meal at your place or at theirs. Generally, private catering chefs will bring all the ingredients, along with any specific appliances they need. However, they may use your basic utensils and servingware.

The price for a professional or personal cook is usually between $70-$200 when you hire through Airtasker. It could be more or less than this, depending on how many people they need to cater for, the cost of ingredients, and the time it’ll take them to prepare the meal.


Suggested reads about Cooking

What do cooking services include?

You can hire a cook to provide food for a range of meals and occasions, from home cooking and meal prep to specialty cooking and even dinner party catering. You can arrange cooking services to happen in your own kitchen or your cook can bring the food ready-prepared. Your chef will take care of everything from buying ingredients to cleaning up. Here’s what you can expect depending on your cooking service:

Home cooking
Want fresh meals in your home? Your home chef can either offer regular home cooking services where they cook multiple nights per week, or provide a one-off meal if you just need occasional help. Your private chef will ask if you have any food preferences or intolerances, how many people they need to cook for, and what appliances and equipment they can use. They’ll usually plan the meals ahead of time, purchase the ingredients, and freshly cook the meals in your kitchen, and then clean up before they go.

Baking
Want to impress your best friend with an amazing cake for her birthday party? Or perhaps it’s your turn to bring some baking to work for morning tea? Hire a pastry chef or professional baker to create a cake, biscuits, muffins, or something else tasty. They’ll ask you how many people you’re baking for, any flavour preferences, and any special decorations you’d like. Your baker will bake at their place and deliver the finished product to your home or office once it’s ready.

Dinner party chef
If you’re planning a dinner party with friends, why not hire a dinner party chef to help take all the stress out of hosting? Your professional cook will contact you to confirm the number of guests, what courses/canapes you’d like, and whether the event is formal or informal. They’ll usually prepare most of the food where the event is being held (whether at your home or at a venue) and clean up the kitchen after they’re done.

Specialty cooking
Cooking paleo, vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free can be a challenge, whether it’s for yourself, a family member, or for an event you’re catering. Fortunately, many cooks are experienced with a range of different food requirements, including food intolerances, special diets, and allergies. When you hire a cook, they’ll choose recipes and ingredients that are suitable, confirming any dietary requirements before they get started. They’ll be careful to avoid cross-contamination if they’re preparing alternative meals for certain members of your family or party.

Meal preparation & planning
If you struggle to come up with meal ideas and always find yourself short of time throughout the week, why not hire a cook to prep your meals for the week? Your personal cook will confirm how many meals you’d like, the number of people, and if you have any preferences. They’ll choose meals that keep well and are easy to store, and taste great fresh or reheated. They’ll either prepare the food in your kitchen (cleaning up afterwards) or drop your freshly prepared meals off when they’re done, packaged and ready for the fridge or freezer.

Recent Cooking tasks

Bake 2nd birthday cake

$150

Benowa QLD 4217, Australia

4th Apr 2026

I have my daughters second birthday coming up and im need a cake made by 1st May (Party on 3rd) ive put up a picture for inspo need to feed 20-30 people

Cooking, meal prep $70/hr

$70

Brunswick East VIC, Australia

4th Apr 2026

Paid through NDIS, $70/hr. Looking for someone who can cook 2-3 times a week within strict dietary requirements. Can be at your home or mine. I grew up eating west Asian/north African diaspora food. Recently, due to chronic health issues, i have been given a strict dietary plan to follow which has ruled out most traditional meals! I can be very picky. I hate white people food, i hate “health” food. I love oily spicy yummy cultural food so i need someone who has the skill and desire to experiment to find meals that both taste good and fit my dietary needs. Foods i’m not allowed: gluten chilli dairy tomato, capsicum, eggplant acids, sours (okay to balance cooking, not as a base)

Meal prep service

$10

Wembley WA, Australia

3rd Apr 2026

Looking for some meal prep help for a few wks!

I need a custom cake maker

$100

Sydenham VIC, Australia

3rd Apr 2026

Would like a custom cake maker for an 18th bday

Weekly meal preparation

$120

Forestville NSW 2087, Australia

3rd Apr 2026

I’m looking for chef to batch cook weekly macro friendly, easy meals, approximately 10 meals per week. I don’t mind if you use your own kitchen, I’m happy to provide glass food storage containers. We can discuss wether it’s easier for me to do the menu and shopping or provide you with a budget for groceries and guidance on macro targets. Meals would ideally be very basic, for both ease of prep and shopping, primarily consisting of proteins, roast vegetables and chopped salads.

I need a chef to prepare home cooked Indian meals on a weekly basis

$30

Castle Hill, New South Wales

2nd Apr 2026

Hi. We are busy working family of 4. I am looking for an Indian aunty who can come over and cook a few North Indian meals (veg and non veg) on a weekend or weekday for our family on a weekly basis. All ingredients will be supplied by us. Perhaps 4 hours on a weekly basis. Below rate is just for initial meeting to allow initial discussion etc.

Gluten free heart shaped cake

$50

Gwelup WA, Australia

2nd Apr 2026

I need someone to bake a gluten free heart shaped cake with white icing. if it is easy enough to put the word engaged on it, that would be great. some hearts would be cute too.

I have my son's 5th Birthday 11th April , looking for vegetarian ifood

$2,000

Para Hills SA 5096, Australia

1st Apr 2026

Indian vegetarian food menu 3 on trays 3 curries Extras

Home cooked meals

$160

Hawthorn VIC, Australia

3rd Mar 2026

Looking for someone to come once a fortnight to cook in bulk for our family of 4. Imagine it would be 3-4 hours to cook, clean up etc

Would be happy to recommend Annelies. She was easy to communicate with and an excellent cook

Refill 8 candle vessels with soy wax and scent

$150

Toorak VIC 3142, Australia

25th Feb 2026

Hello, I’m looking for an experienced candle maker to assist with refilling 8 empty candle vessels before an event next Thursday. Details as follows: • 8 × empty Diptyque candle vessels• Refill using soy wax• We will supply our own fragrance oil (specifically formulated and safe for candle use)• Wick type, number, and placement must match Diptyque’s original configuration for optimal burn performance (reference images available online)• Professional finish consistent with luxury candle standards Please confirm: • Your experience refilling luxury vessels such as Diptyque• Whether you are able to use client-supplied fragrance oil• Estimated cost per vessel and total cost• Turnaround time•vessels will be delivered to you urgently via courier. Kind regards, Catherine

Perfect!! Will definitely call on again. Warm, friendly and so professional and proactive!

Meal prep 2x per week

$100

Humpty Doo NT, Australia

17th Feb 2026

Hey all will need 3 meals prepped, cooked and weighed 2x a week macaroni and honey chicken pasta, chicken and rice, sweet potato and mince and happy to supply all ingredients needed price is negotiable

Highly recommend, very professional

Private Chef Meal Prep

$200

Richmond VIC, Australia

17th Feb 2026

I am looking for someone to come to my home once per week to cook a full week’s worth of meals. I follow a micronutrient focused diet, so meals must be prepared according to specific ingredient and nutrition guidelines that I will provide. I will supply all groceries in advance. Tasks include: • Batch cooking meals for the week • Portioning and storing food properly • Basic kitchen clean up after cooking I am looking for someone who is organised, reliable, and comfortable following detailed dietary instructions.

Great communication and did a great job following instructions.

Home cooking

$50

Princes Hill VIC, Australia

4th Feb 2026

Regular cooking of Indian / western food in our house. Some served on day, some stored in fridge / freezer, ingredients provided,

Friendly, efficient and delicious cooking!

Cleaning cooking and meal prep

$25

Hawthorn East, Victoria

20th Jan 2026

Need help with cooking, house cleaning and do some meal prep Rate 25/hr Requirement- 2-3 times a week for 4hrs Please Quote me your hourly rate

Zoe did a great job with cooking and meal prep. The food was lovely and it made a big difference for our family. Thank you, Zoe!

Cleaning, cooking and meal prep

$25

Hawthorn East, Victoria

2nd Jan 2026

We are looking for someone who can come 2–3 times a week to help with cleaning, cooking, and meal prep. It’s a small 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom unit. Hours: 4–5 hours per day. Please quote your ongoing hourly rate for future work. My budget is $25/hour, so kindly do not quote a rate that would be difficult for me to afford.

Zoe did a great job. I would definitely recommend her to family and friends

Meal Preparation

$200

Teneriffe QLD, Australia

28th Dec 2025

Looking for a household assistant to pick up groceries and meal preparation once a week

Thanks Georgia did a good job

I ndian Vegetarian Home Cooking – Twice a Week

$50

Homebush West NSW, Australia

25th Dec 2025

Hi there, I’m looking for a reliable and experienced Indian vegetarian cook to help prepare home-style meals for my parents at our home in Homebush West. Indian Vegetarian Cooking Twice a week for 2 adults. Clean, organised, and hygienic Punctual, reliable, and respectful

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Navneet arrived on time and completed all the cooking within the specified timeframe. The food tasted great, she paid excellent attention to detail, and kept the kitchen clean as she went. Very happy with her service and would highly recommend her.

I need a custom made cake for a 50th delivered to a hotel in Sydney

$250

Sydney NSW 2000, Australia

14th Dec 2025

I need a custom made 2 tier cake made for approximately 25 guests for a 50th birthday. Delivered to the hotel as well. I have a theme in mind and can post photos.

Adriana was so helpful and amazing through the entire process. She made the cake exactly to how I wanted it and I was so happy how it turned out. It was the highlight of the night. Thank you Adriana for your flexibility when the venue was changed at the last minute and being so thoughtful with all the extra touches. Also really appreciated you being so punctual and reliable! Would highly recommend using Adriana for your special milestones.

Meal prep - weekly cook up

$30

Carlton VIC 3053, Australia

13th Dec 2025

Seeking someone to help with weekly meal prep. cooking up to 10 lunches & dinners for the week

Good communication, quick response, good experience

Meal prep - chef

$200

Bellevue Hill NSW, Australia

8th Dec 2025

I need a chef or experienced cook to take over meal prep. Ongoing weekly if mutually agreeable after trial. Three children two adults -dietary requirements: must have experience cooking for fussy children, and experience with vegetarian meal and gluten-free and dairy free meals Job is to prepare weekly nutritious meals that can be refrigerated and served through the week Meals should be ready to assemble, and planned for serving Monday to Friday. Meals to be prepped in our kitchen. I will provide ingredients as requested. You will prepare menu in collaboration with myself.

Absolutely wonderful, would love to work with again