Cook Hiring Checklist for Indian Households

A good home cook makes a household run smoothly. A mismatch on taste or routine is frustrating for everyone. This checklist helps you get it right.

1. Define the meals

• Which meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, children's tiffin.
• How many people, and whether guests are common.
• Whether the cook prepares everything fresh or some items in advance.

2. Define cuisine and diet

• Regional cuisine: North Indian, South Indian, Bengali, Gujarati and so on.
• Vegetarian, non-vegetarian, eggetarian, Jain.
• Health needs: low salt, low oil, diabetic-friendly, as advised by your doctor.
• Allergies. Write these down clearly.

For elaborate multi-cuisine menus or entertaining, consider a professional chef.

3. Hours and arrangement

Cooks can work daytime schedules of 6, 8, 9 or 10 hours, or live-in. If you only need cooking, a shorter schedule may be enough. If you need cooking plus cleaning, discuss an all-rounder instead.

4. Interview questions

• "Which dishes do you cook most often?"
• "How would you plan a week's meals for our family?"
• "How do you keep the kitchen clean while cooking?"
• "Have you cooked Jain or diabetic-friendly food?" (if relevant)

More in interview questions for domestic helpers.

5. A trial cooking session

If possible, agree a trial meal after the cook joins, using your recipes. Give specific feedback on salt, spice and oil levels. Taste is personal; it takes a few days to adjust.

6. Hygiene and kitchen rules

• Handwashing, clean aprons and hair tied back.
• Separate boards for vegetables and meat, if relevant.
• How leftovers are stored and for how long.
• Who cleans the kitchen at the end of cooking.

7. Groceries

Decide whether the cook makes the grocery list, places orders, or only uses what is stocked. If they handle cash for groceries, keep a simple record.

8. Costs

Through Maidvy, the service fee is ₹15,000 + 18% GST = ₹17,700 for the Daytime Plan or ₹25,000 + 18% GST = ₹29,500 for the 24×7 Live-In Plan. The cook's salary is separate and agreed between your family and the cook based on experience, cuisine, meals, hours and city. See pricing.

Checklist

1. Meals and number of people listed.
2. Cuisine, diet and allergies written down.
3. Hours chosen.
4. Interview on real dishes and hygiene.
5. Trial meal and feedback.
6. Grocery process agreed.
7. Salary agreed in writing.

Hiring in Gurgaon? Read how to hire a home cook in Gurgaon, or explore cooks in Noida, Delhi and Bengaluru.

Kitchen setup for a new cook

• Label spice jars and storage containers.
• Show how appliances work: chimney, induction, microwave, mixer.
• Keep a written list of the family's favourite dishes and how they are usually cooked.
• Agree a weekly menu for the first two weeks to reduce daily decisions.

Cook, all-rounder or chef?

A cook focuses on everyday meals. An all-rounder combines simpler cooking with cleaning and other tasks. A professional chef suits elaborate menus and entertaining. Choose by the meals and standard you need, not by title alone.

For reference, Maidvy's service fee is ₹15,000 + 18% GST = ₹17,700 on the Daytime Plan and ₹25,000 + 18% GST = ₹29,500 on the 24×7 Live-In Plan. The helper's monthly salary is always separate and agreed between the family and the helper.

Food safety basics

• Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly.
• Cook meat and eggs fully.
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly and agree how long they are kept.
• Use filtered or boiled water for cooking and drinking.

Giving feedback on food

Taste is personal and family recipes take time to learn. Give specific feedback ("a little less chilli in the dal") rather than general comments. Share recipes or videos of dishes you like. Most cooks adjust well within the first two weeks when feedback is clear and kind.

Frequently asked questions

What should I ask a cook in an interview?

Ask which dishes they cook often, how they plan weekly meals, how they keep the kitchen clean, and whether they have cooked for any dietary needs you have.

Can a cook also do cleaning?

Only if agreed and if the hours allow. If you need both, consider an all-rounder domestic helper.

Is the cook's salary included in the Maidvy fee?

No. The salary is agreed and paid directly between your family and the cook.

Should my cook also buy groceries?

Only if you agree to it. If the cook handles cash for groceries, keep a simple written record.

How long does a new cook take to adjust to our taste?

Usually a week or two with clear, specific feedback and shared recipes.