Evil Dave Recipe for Disaster OSRS: Ultimate Quest Guide

Evil Dave Recipe for Disaster OSRS: Ultimate Quest Guide


The “Recipe for Disaster” quest in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the game’s most iconic adventures, and the subquest involving Evil Dave stands out as a quirky yet challenging segment. Officially titled “Freeing Evil Dave,” this part of the quest requires players to dive into the world of spicy stews, hellrats, and a basement-dwelling oddball. Whether you’re chasing Barrows gloves or just love a good OSRS challenge, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Evil Dave’s subquest. From requirements to step-by-step instructions, we’ve got you covered!

“Recipe for Disaster” is the 100th quest released by Jagex, a sprawling adventure that unfolds across 10 subquests. It begins with a simple task for the Lumbridge Cook and escalates into a battle against the Culinaromancer. Freeing Evil Dave is the fifth subquest, blending humor with a trial-and-error puzzle that has frustrated and amused players since its release. Evil Dave, a self-proclaimed evil mastermind living in his mom’s basement, needs you to recreate his favorite spicy stew to break the Culinaromancer’s spell.

Why Evil Dave’s Subquest Matters

This subquest isn’t just about cooking—it’s a gateway to valuable rewards. Completing it unlocks the ability to make spicy stews (which can boost or lower stats), access to a hellcat, and progress toward the coveted Barrows gloves. It’s a medium-length challenge that tests your patience and problem-solving skills, making it a memorable part of the OSRS experience.

Quest Prerequisites

Before you can tackle Evil Dave’s subquest, you’ll need to meet these requirements:

  • Quests: Gertrude’s Cat, Demon Slayer, The Golem, Shadow of the Storm
  • Skills: 25 Cooking (boostable with potions if you’re making stews yourself)
  • Items: Any cat (except an overgrown one—kittens or lazy cats are less efficient), several bowls of stew (up to 9)

Having these ready ensures you’re set to start without delays.

How to Start Freeing Evil Dave in OSRS

To kick things off, head to Lumbridge Castle’s dining room and inspect Evil Dave. Gypsy Aris will appear, explaining that he’s frozen in time by the Culinaromancer’s magic. Your mission? Craft a “totally evil” stew to free him. She’ll point you toward Edgeville, where Evil Dave’s mother, Doris, holds the key to the recipe.

Step 1: Visit Doris in Edgeville

Travel to Edgeville (use an Amulet of Glory or Fairy Ring code DKR for speed). West of the bank, you’ll find Doris’s house. Speak to her and ask about Dave’s whereabouts—she’ll direct you to the trapdoor leading to his “Basement of Doom.”

Step 2: Confront Evil Dave

Climb down the trapdoor and talk to Evil Dave. Ask what he ate at the secret council meeting, selecting the option “because the magic requires it” (option 4). He’ll reveal it was a spicy stew like his mother’s, but you’ll need to figure out the exact recipe yourself.

Mastering the Spicy Stew Puzzle

The heart of this subquest is crafting the perfect stew, a process that involves hunting hellrats and experimenting with spices. This section can take anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour, depending on your luck and preparation, so buckle up!

Step 3: Hunt Hellrats for Spices

Speak to Doris again—she’ll mention that hellrats stole her spices. Head back downstairs, drop your cat, and right-click it to select “Chase Vermin.” Your cat will hunt hellrats, dropping one of four spices:

Each spice comes in 1-4 doses, and you’ll need at least 6 doses of each color to account for trial and error. Pro tip: Use a fully grown cat for faster catches—kittens take longer.

Step 4: Decode the Perfect Stew Recipe

Evil Dave’s ideal stew requires all four spices, each with a random potency between 1-3 doses. The trick is to test one spice at a time. Here’s how:

  1. Add 1 dose of a single spice (e.g., red) to a stew and give it to Dave.
  2. If he says “one spice is correct, the rest are incorrect,” that’s your number for that spice (e.g., 1 red). Move to the next color.
  3. If he says “none of them are right,” try 2 doses of the same spice. If that fails, it’s 3 doses.
  4. Repeat for all four spices, noting each correct value.

Once you’ve got all four values (e.g., 2 red, 1 yellow, 3 brown, 2 orange), combine them into one stew. Test it with Dave—he’ll confirm it’s “totally evil” without eating it all.

Troubleshooting Tips

Stuck? Here are common pitfalls and fixes:

  • Bug Workaround: If Dave won’t say what he ate, hold the spacebar during dialogue and pick “because the magic requires it.”
  • Spice RNG: Hellrat drops are random—be patient or stockpile extra spices.
  • Cat Efficiency: After 7 catches, your cat becomes a hellcat (same function). Revert it with milk if desired.

Completing the Subquest

With the perfect stew in hand, don’t eat it—teleport back to Lumbridge (a Home Teleport works great). In the dining room, use the stew on Evil Dave to free him. Finish the dialogue, and congrats—you’ve completed the subquest!

Rewards for Freeing Evil Dave

Your efforts yield:

  • 1 Quest Point
  • 7,000 Cooking XP
  • Spicy Stew Crafting: Add spices to stews for stat boosts/drops
  • Hellcat Ownership
  • Culinaromancer’s Chest Access: Expanded inventory

Plus, you’re one step closer to finishing Recipe for Disaster!

Tips and Strategies for Success

Evil Dave’s subquest can be a grind, but these strategies will smooth the ride:

Preparation Checklist

Item/Task Why It Helps
Fully Grown Cat Faster hellrat catches
9 Stews Covers worst-case testing (2 per spice + final stew)
Teleport Method Quick travel between Edgeville and Lumbridge
Notepad Track spice values easily

Optimizing Your Time

Focus on one spice at a time to minimize stew usage. If you’re short on stews, use the canoe system to zip back to Lumbridge and cook more. Avoid overcomplicating—once Dave confirms a spice, move on without retesting.

Avoiding Frustration

This subquest’s RNG can test your patience. Take breaks if needed, and don’t rush adding spices—double-check the chatbox to ensure they register. Some players report finishing in 10 minutes, while others take 90+, so adjust expectations accordingly.

In conclusion, Freeing Evil Dave in OSRS’s Recipe for Disaster is a blend of quirky storytelling and methodical puzzling. With this guide, you’ll navigate the hellrats, spices, and Evil Dave’s eccentricities like a pro. Ready to spice things up? Grab your cat and get cooking—Barrows gloves await!