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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
It only takes 2 minutes. And it's free.
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Best rated cooks near me

Recent Cooking reviews

Lovely to deal with!

Organic meal prep

$5

Robyn’s cooking is amazing. She was punctual, clear with her communication and very efficient with her cooking. The food she cooked for us was amazing! Highly recommend.

Home cooking 1-2 a week

$80

Absolutely loved the experience from both Finau and James. Thank you both for your enthusiasm , patience and commitment to getting this done . Food tastes amazing !

Looking for someone to meal prep my meals

$100

Amazing Cupcakes, fantastic communication. All very easy and exceeding expectations.

Bake 48 regular size cupcakes for kids birthday party

$150

Amazing food, great company and pleasure to have around.

Home cooking

$40

What's the average cost of a cook

$80 - $220

low

$80

median

$150

high

$220

Low, median and high bar chart distribuiton

Average reviews for Cooking Services

based on 479 reviews

4.91

453
17
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.

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

Need a baker (cake)

$70

Rockingham WA, Australia

5th Dec 2025

I need someone to bake a cake that looks similar to this at an affordable price for my son’s birthday party. Preferably not any further than 30mins from Rockingham.

Meal prep cooking

$50

Reservoir VIC, Australia

5th Dec 2025

I would like my meal prep done for the week

Catering Saturday and sunday

$295

Burwood NSW, Australia

5th Dec 2025

Burwood Saturday and Sunday 2 delivery - View all the details of this offer: https://www.airtasker.com/offers/01KBPA0SZ1BAV4YXG3DXVXNMGJ

Cake and flowers

$200

Minchinbury NSW 2770, Australia

4th Dec 2025

It’s a birthday 🎁 I’m planning to give him a delicious cake and a large framed photo of him as a special gift

Teach me to bake and decorate cookies

$150

Wynnum QLD, Australia

4th Dec 2025

My friend and I are wanting to learn how to bake and decorate sugar cookies. Ideally Christmas themed cookies. I am unsure of the time needed so please quote as I am aware it may be higher than what I am listing. Before confirming a tasker, I would prefer to see your work if you have an account I can look at.

Deliver a birthday cake

$50

Oxenford QLD, Australia

4th Dec 2025

I need a cake delivered to La Luna restaurant

Meal Preparation

$38

Brunswick VIC 3056, Australia

3rd Dec 2025

Meal prep for two people, 4 hours per week.

Home cooking + a bit of housework

$50

Windsor QLD, Australia

3rd Dec 2025

I have just had ACL surgery so am looking for someone to come round during the day and help me out by doing some cooking, washing up, laundry. Timing: most businesses days (Mon-Fri) up until Christmas.

Zoe was kind and helpful.

Fortnightly meal prep housework etc help

$90

Castlecrag NSW 2068, Australia

1st Dec 2025

Friendly efficiently help around the home What I need: 1. Meal Prep (Fortnightly – 2 hours per session) • Basic chopping, prepping, and cooking 2. Light Housework ( maybe 1 hour per week) • Folding laundry • Putting clothes away • Light wardrobe organisation • General tidy of baby/bedroom areas • Occasional ad-hoc tasks (nothing heavy) Who would suit this role: • Someone organised and efficient • Trustworthy and respectful in a family home • Good communicator • Experience with kids/babies around is a bonus (we have an 8-month-old) Ongoing schedule: • Meal Prep: 2 hours every second week • Housework: 1 hour every week • Times are flexible — mornings or afternoons okay Please include in your offer: • Your hourly rate • Experience with meal prep or home organisation • Availability

Vivienne was a great communicator and super efficient, she organised my wardrobe so good and efficient!! She was a delight to have around and will be working with her again!

Meal prep

$30

Essendon VIC 3040, Australia

27th Nov 2025

Looking for someone to do my meal prep for next week

Really good working with Nina. Amazing food and organisation

Weeding and trimming

$120

Rosetta TAS, Australia

26th Nov 2025

Hi Peter, I can't find the pics you refer to but I am happy to do similar work to last time. My offer is for $120 for 2 hours work today. Additional time @$50/h. - View all the details of this offer: https://www.airtasker.com/offers/01KB0VBN1PERCHKAYKTNRX77DV

Great job we have used Robert twice now very happy with his work

Meal prep and cleaning

$350

Bulimba QLD, Australia

13th Nov 2025

Meal prep Household duties - washing, ironing etc Option to do some personal assistant / house manager work ongoing

Monica is very helpful and great communication ensured task was well delivered

Meal prep breakfasts and lunches

$100

North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia

2nd Nov 2025

Come over on Sat or Sun and meal prep for the upcoming week. To be done once a week.

Great job doing meal prep for kids breakfasts and lunches

Decorate hotel room for Husband’s birthday

$100

Broadbeach QLD 4218, Australia

11th Oct 2025

Need to get a bottle, helium balloons (gold with 3 and 0) and a cake. I’ll pay separately for all 3 things

AMAZING! Nothing else would justify how efficient Judith is. She gets you and the task and complete it exactly how you like it.

Meal preparation

$200

Mount Waverley VIC, Australia

8th Oct 2025

I’m looking to have someone help me with healthy meal preparation for a family of 4, 2 adults and 2 kids. I need the meals to be freezer friendly as I’m preparing to welcome a newborn and have run out of steam. I’ll shop for all ingredients needed and will require the meals to be prepared in my home. I’ll be available for hands on help on the day.

Highly recommend Eliza.

Weekly Meal Prep Cook Needed

$200

Docklands VIC 3008, Australia

4th Oct 2025

Weekly Meal Prep Cook Needed – High-Protein, Nutritious Meals (2x per week) Description: I’m looking for someone who can cook high-quality, high-protein meals for me every week. I eat 2 big meals per day, and I’m after food that’s nutritious, clean, and filling — mainly steak, chicken, fish, rice, veggies, and other healthy options. I run a business full-time and don’t have time to cook, so I’m after someone reliable who can handle the shopping, cooking, and meal prep side of things — ideally using fresh ingredients from the Vic Market or similar. You don’t need to be a private chef, but you should enjoy cooking and know how to make food that tastes amazing while being balanced and nutrient-dense. What’s Involved Cook twice per week (for example, Sunday & Wednesday) Prepare 10–12 meals total (2 large meals per day) Focus on protein-rich, nutrient-balanced meals Handle the shopping (budget provided) Portion and store meals (containers provided if needed) Keep the kitchen clean and tidy after prep Example Meal Types Rib-eye steak + buttered greens + roasted potatoes Grilled chicken + rice + seasonal vegetables Teriyaki salmon + stir-fried veg Lean beef mince bowls or wraps Protein pasta with lean meat and fresh herbs Budget Labour: $150 per week Ingredients: separate $150 - $200 food budget (paid by me) Looking for someone consistent who can work with me long-term. Ideal Candidate Enjoys cooking and meal prepping Understands high-protein / nutritious meals Clean, reliable, and efficient Ideally near Melbourne CBD or Docklands area Experience with gym-style meal prep or family cooking a plus To apply, please include: A short intro about you and your cooking experience Example meals or photos if available Your availability generally speaking.

Attentive, focused, professional…are just a few words to describe Christine! She is a fantastic caterer & cook, who saves me a lot of time and keeps me well nourished. 11/10!

House assistant for cleaning, laundry & healthy meal prep

$250

Burleigh Heads QLD, Australia

2nd Oct 2025

Looking for a reliable and proactive house assistant in Burleigh Heads to help keep my apartment running smoothly. Tasks include: - General cleaning & tidying (kitchen, bathroom, living area, floors) - Laundry (washing, drying, folding, ironing when needed) - Grocery shopping & restocking essentials - Healthy meal prep (simple, mostly repetitive easy meals, don't have to be a master chef ;)) - Occasional errands (e.g., picking up parcels, household items) What I’m looking for: - Someone organised, discreet, and trustworthy - Health-conscious and confident with simple, nutritious cooking - Positive, can-do attitude, notices what needs doing without being told Ideally available 1-2 times per week (hours flexible, can discuss) We’ll start with a trial for 1–2 visits, and if it’s a good fit, I’d love this to become a long-term role. Happy to pay above standard cleaning rates for the right person

Ren did a great job keeping our apartment clean and organized.

Need decorator for birthday party

$200

The Ponds, New South Wales

1st Oct 2025

You will have 1 and half hour (form 8:30am - 10am) before party to decorate the place. Its at a community hall in the ponds. Need decoration similar to pictures and also need table setup for 50 guests. You will also need to packup everything before 2:30pm.

Ana did a lovely job with the overall décor — everything looked beautiful and thoughtfully arranged. There were a few hiccups and the setup didn’t finish exactly on time, but considering she’s new and offered a very reasonable price, she did a commendable job overall.

Cake maker

$5

Brisbane City QLD, Australia

30th Sep 2025

Need someone to make a cake that looks like the image provided. Cake is to be 80cm long. Type of cake (mud,sponge etc) is negotiable but need it to look like the image. Delivery to Brisbane City 29 Nov PM. Delivery required at approx 9pm due to cake unable to sit out due to heat. Happy to negotiate a fair price for you 👍🏻

Job completed as described. Great communication after multiple changes on my end.

Chiffon cake for a birthday

$5

Prahran VIC 3181, Australia

28th Sep 2025

Looking for someone who can make a nice chiffon cake for my partner’s birthday. Nothing over the top, just light, fluffy and tasty. Something that can feed about 4 people I think maybe 6". Happy with classic flavours (vanilla, orange, earl gray, pandan, etc.) but open to ideas. Bonus points if it looks simple and elegant – not too fancy. Need it by 3rd october.

Absolutely fantastic! The chiffon cake was light, fluffy and delicious!!! you can tell it was made with care. Everything was smooth from start to finish: punctual, great communication and a genuinely lovely person to deal with. Highly recommend!