OSRS Cooking XP Quests Guide for Fast Leveling

OSRS Cooking XP Quests Guide for Fast Leveling

Cooking in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of those skills that feels like a warm hug from Gielinor. It’s relaxing, it’s AFK-friendly, and it’s a gateway to some seriously tasty in-game food. But let’s be real, grinding out those early levels can be a bit of a slog, especially if you’re burning shrimp left and right. That’s where quests come in clutch. They give you a nice chunk of Cooking XP to skip the tedious early grind and get you closer to that shiny Cooking cape. As someone who’s been playing OSRS for years, I’ve leaned on these quests to boost my accounts, and I’m here to share the best ones to level up your Cooking skill fast. Let’s dive into the quests that’ll have you cooking like a pro in no time!

Quests are like cheat codes for skilling in OSRS. They give you XP rewards without the repetitive grind, and for Cooking, they’re a lifesaver for getting past those low levels where burning food is basically your personality trait. I remember my first Ironman account, standing in Lumbridge, burning shrimp like it was my job. Quests saved me from that misery and gave me a head start. Plus, some of these quests unlock cool areas or items that make your Cooking journey smoother. So, which quests should you focus on? Let’s break it down.

Cook’s Assistant: The Classic Starter

Quest Overview
If you’re just starting out in OSRS, Cook’s Assistant is probably the first quest you’ll stumble across. It’s super short, beginner-friendly, and gives you a nice little Cooking XP boost to kick things off. I ran through this quest on my first-ever account back in the day, and it felt like a rite of passage. You’re helping the Lumbridge cook make a cake, and it’s as wholesome as it sounds.

XP Reward: 300 Cooking XP
Requirements: None
Time to Complete: About 2-3 minutes
Difficulty: Easy peasy

Why It’s Worth It
This quest is a no-brainer. You get 300 XP, which bumps you from level 1 to level 4 instantly. That’s enough to skip cooking raw shrimp and move straight to better food like sardines or trout. Plus, you unlock the Lumbridge Castle range, which has a lower burn rate than regular fires. Trust me, when I was a newbie, this range saved me from burning half my inventory.

Pro Tip: Do this quest right after Tutorial Island. It’s quick, and you can grab the ingredients (egg, flour, milk) while exploring Lumbridge.

Recipe for Disaster: The Big XP Haul

Quest Overview
Recipe for Disaster is a massive questline with multiple subquests, and it’s a goldmine for Cooking XP. This one’s a bit more involved, but the rewards are worth it. I tackled this on my main account when I was chasing Barrows Gloves, and the Cooking XP was a sweet bonus. You’ll be helping various NPCs with their culinary needs, and each subquest gives you a nice XP drop.

XP Rewards:

Requirements: Varies by subquest, but you’ll need up to 70 Cooking for the full questline.
Time to Complete: Varies, but expect 1-2 hours per subquest.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on the subquest.

Why It’s Worth It
This questline is a Cooking XP jackpot. The 28,000 XP can take you from level 1 to around level 35 if you’re starting fresh, which is huge for skipping the burn-heavy early levels. I remember grinding out Evil Dave’s subquest and laughing at how ridiculous his spicy stew demands were, but that 7,000 XP felt so good. Plus, completing the full questline unlocks Barrows Gloves, which are a must-have for any serious player.

Pro Tip: Start with the easier subquests like Another Cook’s Quest and Goblin Generals, as they have low requirements and still give solid XP. Save King Awowogei’s subquest for when you’re closer to 70 Cooking.

Gertrude’s Cat: A Quick XP Boost

Quest Overview
Gertrude’s Cat is a short, members-only quest that’s perfect for early Cooking XP. You’re helping Gertrude find her lost cat, and there’s a bit of Cooking involved. I did this quest on my Ironman when I was still figuring out the game, and it was a nice, low-effort way to get some XP.

XP Reward: 1,525 Cooking XP
Requirements: None
Time to Complete: 10-15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Why It’s Worth It
The 1,525 XP is enough to push you from level 4 to around level 12, letting you cook better fish like trout without burning as much. I loved how straightforward this quest was—just grab some milk, fish, and a bit of patience to deal with that stubborn cat. It’s a great way to mix up your early game grind.

Pro Tip: Bring a raw sardine and a bucket of milk to speed things up. You can grab these from the Grand Exchange or fish them yourself if you’re an Ironman.

Rag and Bone Man I & II: Bone-Appetit XP

Quest Overview
Rag and Bone Man I and II are quirky quests where you’re collecting bones for a weird dude in Varrock. The second quest has a Cooking component that gives a nice XP reward. I remember running around Gielinor collecting bones for this one, feeling like a weird archaeologist, but the XP made it worthwhile.

XP Reward:

Requirements:

  • Rag and Bone Man I: None

  • Rag and Bone Man II: 20 Cooking, completion of Rag and Bone Man I, and other quests like The Dig Site.
    Time to Complete: 20-30 minutes for I, 1-2 hours for II.
    Difficulty: Easy for I, moderate for II.

Why It’s Worth It
These quests are great for low-level players looking to boost their Cooking without much hassle. The 1,500 XP total isn’t massive, but it’s enough to get you to level 15 or so, where you can start cooking trout or salmon. I found Rag and Bone Man II a bit tedious with all the bone collecting, but the XP and the fact that it’s a chill quest made it fun.

Pro Tip: Stock up on vinegar and logs for Rag and Bone Man II to save time. You can buy them from the Grand Exchange or gather them yourself.

Other Quests with Cooking XP

There are a few other quests that give Cooking XP, though they’re less focused on it. Here’s a quick rundown:

  • Heroes’ Quest: 2,825 Cooking XP (requires 53 Cooking, among other skills). This one’s a bit tougher, but the XP is solid. I did this on my main and loved the nostalgia of old-school questing.

  • Forgettable Tale of a Drunken Dwarf: 5,000 Cooking XP (requires 22 Cooking). This quest is a bit random, but the XP is nice for mid-level players.

  • Tai Bwo Wannai Trio: 5,000 Cooking XP (requires 30 Cooking). This one’s key because it unlocks karambwan cooking, which is a game-changer for fast XP later. I struggled with this quest’s fishing part, but the XP and unlock were worth it.

Quest XP Summary Table

Here’s a handy table to summarize the Cooking XP from these quests:

Quest

Cooking XP

Level Requirement

Membership

Estimated Time

Cook’s Assistant

300

None

F2P

2-3 minutes

Recipe for Disaster (Total)

28,000

Up to 70 Cooking

P2P

8-10 hours

Gertrude’s Cat

1,525

None

P2P

10-15 minutes

Rag and Bone Man I

500

None

P2P

20-30 minutes

Rag and Bone Man II

1,000

20 Cooking

P2P

1-2 hours

Heroes’ Quest

2,825

53 Cooking

P2P

1-2 hours

Forgettable Tale of a Drunken Dwarf

5,000

22 Cooking

P2P

1-2 hours

Tai Bwo Wannai Trio

5,000

30 Cooking

P2P

2-3 hours

Total Possible XP: ~45,150 Cooking XP

This XP can take you from level 1 to around level 40 if you complete all these quests, which is a massive head start. I’ve used this strategy on multiple accounts, and it’s always felt like a shortcut to the fun part of Cooking.

How to Use Quest XP Effectively

OSRS The Best Cooking Spot 300k xphr YouTube

So, you’ve got all this XP from quests—now what? Here’s how to make the most of it:

  • Start with Cook’s Assistant and Gertrude’s Cat: These are quick and get you to level 12-15 fast.

  • Tackle Recipe for Disaster Early: The subquests are spread out, so you can chip away at them while training other skills. I usually do the Goblin Generals and Pirate Pete subquests first since they’re easy.

  • Unlock Karambwans with Tai Bwo Wannai Trio: At level 30, karambwans are the fastest Cooking XP in the game, especially if you 1-tick cook. I tried 1-ticking once, and my fingers were crying, but the XP rates were insane—up to 950,000 XP/hour!

  • Use Cooking Gauntlets: Grab these from the Family Crest quest. They reduce burn rates for fish like lobsters and sharks, saving you time and money. I swear by these on my Ironman.

Quick Question: Have you ever burned an entire inventory of fish? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!

My Personal Cooking Journey

When I first started OSRS, I underestimated Cooking. I thought, “Why bother? I’ll just buy food.” But then I realized how crucial it is for quests, PvM, and even making some GP. On my main, I rushed through Cook’s Assistant and Recipe for Disaster to hit 70 Cooking for Barrows Gloves. On my Ironman, quests like Gertrude’s Cat and Tai Bwo Wannai Trio were lifesavers for getting to a level where I could cook karambwans without burning them. There’s something so satisfying about seeing that XP drop after a quest, especially when you’re avoiding the grind of cooking 80 shrimp to hit level 15.

One thing I learned the hard way: always cook on a range, not a fire, unless you’re desperate. The Hosidius Kitchen (unlocked with 100% Hosidius favor) is my go-to spot now because of that 5% increased success rate. It’s a game-changer, especially when you’re cooking high-level fish like sharks or anglerfish.

Tips for Questing and Cooking Like a Pro

Here are some extra tips to make your Cooking XP quest grind smooth:

  • Plan Your Quest Order: Follow the optimal quest guide from the OSRS Wiki to minimize skilling requirements. It’s a lifesaver for efficient questing.

  • Stock Up on Supplies: For quests like Recipe for Disaster, keep raw fish, flour, and other ingredients ready. The Grand Exchange is your friend for mains, but Ironmen might need to fish or farm.

  • Use the Lumbridge Range: After Cook’s Assistant, this range is your best bet for F2P players. It’s got a lower burn rate, which saved my bacon (or shrimp) early on.

  • Don’t Skip Tai Bwo Wannai Trio: Unlocking karambwans is huge for fast XP later. I wish I’d done this quest sooner on my first account.

Quick Question: What’s your favorite food to cook in OSRS? For me, it’s karambwans—they’re fast and profitable!

Beyond Quests: What’s Next for Cooking?

Once you’ve milked these quests for all their XP, you’re probably around level 40 or higher. From there, you’ve got options:

  • Jugs of Wine (Level 35+): These are super AFK and give up to 500,000 XP/hour. I used this method on my alt account while watching Netflix—talk about multitasking!

  • Karambwans (Level 30+): If you’ve done Tai Bwo Wannai Trio, 1-tick cooking karambwans can hit 900,000+ XP/hour. It’s intense, but worth it for speed.

  • Sharks or Anglerfish (Level 80+): These are great for profit and decent XP. I cooked sharks on my Ironman to stock up for Slayer.

Pro Tip: Head to the Hosidius Kitchen or Rogue’s Den for the best cooking spots. They’re close to banks, which makes training a breeze.

Wrapping It Up

Cooking in OSRS doesn’t have to be a grind, especially with quests giving you a massive XP boost. From the quick and easy Cook’s Assistant to the hefty rewards of Recipe for Disaster, these quests can skyrocket you to level 40 or beyond without touching a single shrimp. As someone who’s been through the Cooking grind on multiple accounts, I can’t stress enough how much these quests save your sanity. Pair them with smart training methods like karambwans or jugs of wine, and you’ll be rocking that Cooking cape in no time.

So, what’s your next step? Are you diving into these quests or cooking some fish already? Let me know your favorite Cooking method, and happy skilling in Gielinor!