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4.3

Excellent rating - 4.3/5 (10900+ 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

Chantelle was absolutely brilliant. Over delivered and kept the kiddies entertained for hours. Faint painting and balloonist extraordinaire. Doubtful you’ll ever get a booking though, as she’ll be booked out working at our fam and friends events forever 🎊😉 Thanks Chantelle 💪🏼🌟

Face painter for child’s 1st birthday party

$200

Jin was absolutely lovely and explained everything so well. An absolute success 🎂

Learn how to decorate a cake

$100

Thank you Rena for your lovely food prep. It all tastes amazing.

Meal preparation

$150

Fantastic service coupled with delicious food. Highly recommend Christine

Home cooking with delivery

$130

Amazing xx

Birthday cake

$100

What's the average cost of a cook

$80 - $210

low

$80

median

$145

high

$210

Low, median and high bar chart distribuiton

Average reviews for Cooking Services

based on 483 reviews

4.91

458
15
5
3
2

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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.

So what are you waiting for? Get a free, no obligation quote today!

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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

Meal planning and preparation

$60

Brighton East VIC 3187, Australia

23rd Apr 2025

Weekly meal planning (healthy, easy meals) Grocery shopping Meal prepping or cooking Looking for someone who: Understands nutrition and family-friendly food Can keep it simple but tasty Is organised, reliable and has great food ideas Bonus if you’re familiar with Thermomix or bulk meal prep! Would suit a nutrition student, home cook, or someone who loves feeding others. Flexible hours and friendly household.

Cricket bat and ball cake for 14 year old

$30

Camp Hill QLD, Australia

23rd Apr 2025

I need a cricket bat cake for my son’s 14 year old birthday. His name is Sam - Due date: Before Saturday, 6 May 2023

Ongoing Housekeeping & Meal Prep – 3x/Week (3–5pm)

$30

Morphettville SA 5043, Australia

23rd Apr 2025

Looking for a reliable and efficient person to assist with general housekeeping and basic meal prepping in a family home, 3 times per week (e.g. Monday, Wednesday, Friday), between 3:00pm – 5:00pm. Tasks include: 🧼 Housekeeping: Light tidying of living areas and kitchen Vacuuming/sweeping floors Wiping down surfaces and benches General organisation (e.g. toys, shoes, clutter) Putting away laundry (already washed/dried) 🥗 Meal Prep: Light chopping and prep of vegetables/fruits Preparing simple dinners (recipes or instructions provided) Prepping snacks or lunches for the next day (e.g. sandwiches, salads, rice bowls) Tidying up kitchen after meal prep Requirements: Prior experience in household assistance preferred Comfortable with basic cooking/meal prep Attention to cleanliness and detail Friendly, respectful, and punctual Please include your experience and availability in your response. All supplies and instructions will be provided in-home.

Bake a cake

$250

South Melbourne VIC, Australia

23rd Apr 2025

Hi there! 😊 I'm looking for someone to create a simple square cake (25 x 25 cm) with a strong focus on the appearance and design. The flavour and fillings are not important — the main priority is that the cake looks exactly like the image I’ll provide. It doesn't need to be fancy on the inside, just visually accurate and clean on the outside. Perfect for someone confident with decorative cake finishes. This task is based/delivered to South Melbourne 3205 Victoria. Please reach out with photos of your past work if possible. Happy to answer any questions! Thanks so much!

Decorations for 3rd birthday

$50

Grovedale VIC, Australia

22nd Apr 2025

To attend bounce at 145pm and decorate party room for 3yr old girls birthday

Home cooked meals delivered

$50

Ashwood VIC, Australia

22nd Apr 2025

Looking for someone who can deliver home cooked meals on a regular basis.

Cake Decorater

$250

Revesby Heights NSW, Australia

22nd Apr 2025

I’m looking for someone skilled and experienced to make a bday cake for my daughter’s 16th bday with a specific design

Weekly in-home meal prep + produce shopping (animal-based)

$200

Brighton VIC 3186, Australia

22nd Apr 2025

🥩💫 In-Home Meal Prep + Market Sourcing Wizard Wanted (For Two Time-Poor Health Practitioners with Mitochondrial Standards Through the Roof) Hello, beautiful human! We’re a duo of passionate, purpose-fuelled health practitioners running a wellness clinic in Melbourne — and we are on the hunt for a kitchen angel to help us stay nourished, energized, and in flow. We eat an animal-based, mitochondria-loving diet (think nose-to-tail nourishment, wild-caught goodness, and ancestral vitality), but with our current schedule… grocery shopping and meal prep have become a bit of a quantum stress fracture. We’re looking for someone who can: 🛒 Shop weekly at either South Melbourne, Prahran, or Queen Victoria or direct from trusted farmers / farmer's markets 👩‍🍳 Prep meals. You're welcome to use our kitchen at home while we’re at work if needed. 🥩 Batch cook 2 x breakfast, 2 x lunch, and 2 x dinner options for the week 🧽 Leave the kitchen gleaming and infused with good vibes (if using ours) ✨ We’ll either provide a weekly menu or co-create something based on your repertoire — as long as it’s free from seed oils, additives, and sad supermarket meat. We adore: Grass-fed beef, pastured eggs, wild seafood, butter, broth, and organ meats Whole food simplicity, cooked with intention and care The kind of meals that taste like medicine and feel like home We require: Experience with food prep and working with quality animal-based ingredients A deep respect for cleanliness, energetics, and kitchen flow Police check + references Someone we can trust to be in our space with love, professionalism, and a little sparkle You’d be prepping for two people (plus possibly the occasional bone broth bone for our fluffy office dog 🐾). 💫 If you’re a culinary craftsperson with a love for radiant health, good food, and high standards, we’d love to connect. Please tell us about yourself, your experience, and your availability. We’re so excited to meet the right match!

NEED A BIRTHDAY CAKE TOMORROW

$250

South Yarra VIC, Australia

22nd Feb 2025

Hello Need a cake 15 servings 20th birthday blue theme

Thank you! Keep up the side hustle :)

Support Worker and Meal Preparation

$120

Essendon VIC 3040, Australia

20th Feb 2025

I am looking for a person to assist me with organising my space, as well as any tasks I find difficult, such as completing complex paperwork, following up on emails, organizing appointments come on communicating on my behalf, planning travel, making purchases comma and problem solving (for example, comparing credit card providers or finding an accountant that is appropriate). If possible, the person would also do grocery shopping and a full meal preparation for the week, ideally twice per week if possible. If desired, we can break these tasks up in that one person could do the cooking, and the other person could do the complex organisational tasks. Note, you must have good English and be able to problem solve effectively. The rate is negotiable and will be based on the person's competence and efficiency with the tasks.

Richard went above and beyond to help me, even helping out with tasks I had forgotten about. He also had a very positive attitude and friendly demeanor. I would highly recommend him for cleaning, home assistance, and support work - he is awesome!

Say Happy Birthday to a mate for me and let off a party popper.

$50

Austral NSW, Australia

11th Feb 2025

It’s my mates 40th birthday at Austral Bowling Club and I can’t make it. Can you just go there and say “Happy Birthday from Ben” and then let off a party popper (not supplied). Closer the 6pm is best and another mate will find you and point out the birthday boy.

Great bloke, happy to help. Went above and beyond.

Meal prep for 1

$5

Werribee VIC 3030, Australia

5th Feb 2025

Looking for someone to meal prep and deliver meals for full week. Ideally 2 meals per day 7 days. Looking for healthy lower calorie meals that's also filling. One of the two meals need to be ready to eat without heating etc.

Great communication throughout, big list of meals to choose from. Thanks :)

Colombian Cake Made

$249

Allenby Gardens SA, Australia

31st Jan 2025

Need a cake made for my partner. She loves Star Wars and favourite ones are Qui Gon and Mace Windu. I would like it to have Colombian national flag on it. Her favourite cake is 3 milks cake. I don’t know what that is. Let me know if you’re up for it and thanks. Name is Kelly. Just want cake to say “Happy Birthday Kelly”

Finally someone who could help me and even delivered. Thanks for making my Colombian Cake 🎂

Meal preparation and planning (Dairy & Peanut Free, Low FODMAP)

$500

Officer VIC 3809, Australia

10th Jan 2025

I am looking for someone to assist me in meal planning and preparation that caters to my dietary requirements. I am allergic to all dairy products and peanuts (tree nuts are ok) and try to be low FODMAP as possible for gut health. If I could sign up to something like Lite n Easy, I would but I can't. I need to get back to a healthier weight and lifestyle and someone to take the above in consideration, plan the meals and ideally prep them so it is really clear to me what I eat and when, this would be life saving. I know I have put down Officer but I am also available in Caulfield as well. Price is negotiable

Tabatha was a cut above the rest who responded to my Airtasker request. She was great at communicating what was included in the offer and kept me in the loop at every stage and was able to cater to my specific dietary requirements. I have yet to try the meals but they look delicious!

Meal Prepped (Ferntree Gully)

$5

Ferntree Gully VIC, Australia

2nd Jan 2025

Low FODMAP meal prep delivered to Ferntree Gully. Looking for around 10-14 meals per week - would be on going if happy with the service. Would ideally be high protein and medium to high calories (600+ cals), easy to take to work, reheat etc

Adam did a great job preparing my meals

A tower cake with coco melon theme for 2-year-old boy's birthday.

$100

Williams Landing VIC, Australia

9th Dec 2024

I'm looking for a talented baker to create a stunning Cocomelon-themed tower cake for my son's 2nd birthday! The cake should be big enough to feed around 14 people. I’m aiming for a fun, colorful design inspired by the popular kids’ show, Cocomelon. The cake should be tiered (tower-style). Cocomelon-themed decorations such as the Cocomelon logo, characters (like JJ and his friends), and colorful accents (rainbows, balloons, etc.). Flavors: Please suggest options that would appeal to both children and adults (e.g., vanilla, chocolate, or something kid-friendly). The cake should be sturdy enough to transport and set up at the venue. Delivery to Williams Landing on 26th Jan before 1PM (or willing to discuss pickup details). Please share photos of similar cakes you've done, along with an offer. Looking forward to working with a creative baker to make this birthday extra special! Example cake images shared.

Was on time, the cake was above average (good)

Cooking lesson (Turkish, Persian, Egyptian or other)

$90

Sydney Olympic Park NSW, Australia

1st Dec 2024

I'm interested in having someone teach me how to cook a dish from their own culture. Currently interested in Middle Eastern, North African, or West African. Ideally on a weekend, or weekday evening (Mon/Wed/Fri). Not sure what's easiest but let me know what works for you in terms of location. Happy to come to you, or here in Sydney Olympic Park. For example: Persian (e.g. Khoresht-e Fesenjan) Turkish Algerian Egyptian Syrian Senegalese (e.g. Chere or Thieboudienne) Maqluba, Mansaaf, etc.

Nina was the perfect Tasker! I absolutely loved my Egyptian cooking lesson with her. She was organised, kind, friendly, everything was planned so well. I would highly recommend booking Nina!

Art classes for 7 year old son, loves sketching and any form of art.

$40

Eltham North VIC, Australia

1st Dec 2024

My son is 7 years old and loves to sketch. Looking to develop his skills in all mediums of art.

Bianca is great and a very nice person to deal with. Recommended

Meal preparation

$100

Perth WA, Australia

1st Dec 2024

I need someone to meal prep for me according to macros/calories that my coach has recommended. This will involve cooking and weighing my carbs, protein and fat for each meal and allocating them in separate containers for the week.

Thank you Priscilla!

Romantic balloon decoration to celebrate our wedding anniversary

$5

Chinatown District VIC 3000, Australia

18th Nov 2024

I want a romantic decoration for our first wedding anniversary. Some balloons and a board would be fine near the setup I have posted. This would be in CBD on 22nd Dec afternoon. I have attached sample photos.

I'd highly recommend Ruchi and her team. She did an exceptional job. Goes above and beyond your request to make the event worthwhile. She is very flexible and keeps your needs ahead at all times.