How to Level Cooking in OSRS: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Level Cooking in OSRS: A Comprehensive Guide


Cooking is a vital skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) that allows players to prepare food, which can restore health and provide various benefits. Mastering this skill not only enhances gameplay but also opens avenues for quests, crafting, and profit-making. This guide aims to equip players with the essential knowledge to effectively level their cooking skill from novice to expert.

To begin your cooking journey in OSRS, you first need to unlock the ability to cook. This is achieved by accessing a cooking range or a fire. You can light a fire using logs, which can be obtained from trees, or you can use a cooking range found in various locations, such as Lumbridge Castle or the Cooking Guild. Additionally, you will require raw food items to cook, which can be fish, meat, or other ingredients. The type of food you can cook depends on your cooking level.

Understanding the cooking levels and corresponding recipes is crucial. The skill has a total of 99 levels, with various recipes available at each level. Players can start by cooking basic items like shrimps at level 1, progressing to more complex dishes like sharks at level 80. Familiarizing yourself with each cooking level’s requirements will help streamline your training process.

To level up effectively, consider the following methods:

  • Cooking Fish: Fishing is a great way to gather raw materials for cooking. The simplest fish, such as shrimps and anchovies, require minimal fishing levels.
  • Cooking Meats: You can obtain raw meat from killing various monsters. Cooking meats like chicken and beef can be beneficial early on.
  • Using Cooking Gauntlets: Acquiring cooking gauntlets from the Family Crest quest can improve your cooking success rate and reduce the chance of burning food.

In addition to cooking, players should also consider utilizing experience-boosting items, such as the Chef’s hat, which provides a minor experience bonus when worn. This can help expedite the leveling process significantly. Remember to keep an eye on your inventory, ensuring you have enough raw materials to cook continuously without interruption.

Ultimately, leveling cooking in OSRS requires patience and planning. By understanding the basics and requirements, players can maximize their efficiency and enjoy the numerous benefits that come with a high cooking level.

Optimal Cooking Methods for Beginners

Starting your cooking journey in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) can be both exciting and overwhelming. To ensure you get the most out of your experience, here are some optimal cooking methods designed specifically for beginners.

  • Cooking Shrimp and Anchovies: These are among the easiest fish to cook and require no fishing level to catch. Simply fish for shrimp or anchovies in Lumbridge Swamp and cook them on any fire. The experience gained is decent for early levels.
  • Cooking Trout and Salmon: Once you hit level 20, aim for trout and salmon. You can fish for these in the rivers around Barbarian Village or the River Lum. Cooking these fish will provide a good experience boost and heal more health points.
  • Utilizing the Cooking Gauntlets: If you’re feeling adventurous, consider completing the Recipe for Disaster quest to obtain Cooking Gauntlets. These will help you burn fewer fish while cooking, maximizing your experience.

As a beginner, try to cook in a bank or near a bank so you can quickly deposit your catch and cook more efficiently. Additionally, always keep an eye on your inventory to avoid overcooking and wasting resources. Don’t forget to use the right cooking methods to save time!

Advanced Cooking Techniques for Leveling Up

Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to delve into advanced cooking techniques that will help you level up faster in OSRS. Here are some strategies that experienced players swear by.

  • Cooking for Profit: Certain high-level fish can be both profitable and provide excellent experience. For instance, cooking sharks or anglerfish can yield high profits, especially if you are selling them on the Grand Exchange.
  • Use of the Cooking Skillcape: If you’re serious about leveling quickly, consider obtaining the Cooking Skillcape. Wearing this cape allows you to cook without burning fish, significantly speeding up your training.
  • Cooking in the Wilderness: For an adventurous twist, cook in the Wilderness where you can catch some high-level fish like sharks or manta rays. Just be cautious of player killers!
  • Utilizing the Hosidius Kitchen: Once you reach level 35 Cooking, head to the Hosidius Kitchen. This location allows for a 10% chance of not burning food, which greatly enhances your experience per hour.

By implementing these advanced techniques into your cooking routine, you’ll not only level up faster but also enjoy the process much more. Happy cooking!

5. Best Cooking Locations and Resources

When it comes to leveling your cooking skill in OSRS, choosing the right location can make a world of difference. Here are some of the best spots to consider:

  • Cooking Guild: The Cooking Guild is a fantastic place to cook if you have level 32 Cooking. It features a range of cooking ranges that are more efficient than regular fires. Plus, there’s a bank nearby for easy access to your ingredients!
  • Lumbridge Castle: This iconic spot is perfect for beginners. It has a cooking range and is close to a bank, making it convenient for cooking various dishes.
  • Varrock West Bank: If you’re cooking food that requires a range, the cooking range located near the West Bank is a great option. It’s close to a bank and allows for quick cooking sessions.
  • Edgeville: Edgeville has a fire pit and is a popular location for players who prefer cooking over an open flame. It’s also near a bank, making it quite practical.
  • Fish Flingers: If you enjoy fishing, the Fish Flingers minigame allows you to catch fish and cook them right there! It’s a fun way to combine both skills and level up your cooking.

As for resources, here are some essential items to have:

Resource Location
Raw Fish Fishing spots across the game
Meat Killing animals like cows and chickens
Vegetables Farming patches or shops

6. Cooking Quests That Boost Your Skill

Quests in OSRS not only provide engaging storylines but can also offer significant boosts to your cooking skill. Here are some quests you should definitely consider:

  • Cook’s Assistant: This is a starter quest that introduces you to the cooking mechanics. Completing it rewards you with 1,000 Cooking experience, which can help you level up quickly!
  • Recipe for Disaster: This is a long quest with several subquests. Completing it can give you a substantial amount of Cooking experience along with unlocking new recipes and cooking options.
  • Gertrude’s Cat: While this quest mainly focuses on cat-related tasks, it rewards you with 1,000 Cooking experience upon completion, making it a worthwhile endeavor.
  • The Knight’s Sword: Although primarily a Smithing quest, it gives you 12,725 Cooking experience when completed, making it a valuable quest for leveling up.

Completing these quests not only enhances your Cooking level but also provides additional benefits, such as unlocking new cooking recipes and items. So, don’t skip out on these quests as you work on your cooking journey in OSRS!

7. Tips and Tricks for Efficient Cooking Training

Leveling up your Cooking skill in OSRS can sometimes feel like a daunting task. But don’t worry! With a few smart strategies, you can streamline your training and level up efficiently. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you maximize your cooking experience:

  • Utilize Cooking Gauntlets: If you’ve completed the “Family Crest” quest, wear the Cooking Gauntlets. They provide a 1% cooking bonus and prevent burning certain fish, particularly useful when cooking trout, salmon, and tuna.
  • Cook in Bulk: Cooking multiple items at once is more efficient. Gather a large supply of fish or ingredients, and cook them all in one go to save time.
  • Use the Cooking Range: Opt for a Cooking Range over a fire when possible. Cooking Ranges, like the one in Lumbridge Castle, help reduce the chances of burning food, allowing you to gain more experience.
  • Join a Cooking Clan: Engage with others who are also working on their Cooking levels. This can provide motivation, advice, and companionship while you train.
  • Focus on High-Experience Recipes: As you level up, switch to cooking the highest experience-giving foods you can. For example, lobsters and sharks provide significant XP.

By implementing these tips, you’ll find that your Cooking levels will rise faster than you might expect. Happy cooking!

8. Maximizing Experience: Cooking Events and Bonuses

To truly maximize your Cooking experience in OSRS, you should take advantage of various events and bonuses that can significantly boost your training efficiency. Here’s how you can benefit from them:

Event/Bonus Description
Cooking Events Participate in seasonal events, like the Chef’s Challenge or other holiday-related activities. These often provide unique cooking opportunities and increased XP.
Bonus XP Weekends Look out for bonus XP weekends where you can earn extra experience. Make sure to cook during these times to maximize your gains!
Daily Challenges Complete daily challenges related to cooking for additional experience. They are a great way to level up while also completing other tasks.
Events in the Wilderness Occasionally, there are events in the Wilderness that allow you to cook and gain unique rewards and experience boosts. Always keep an eye out for these!

By taking advantage of these events and bonuses, you can make your Cooking training even more efficient. Keep an eye on the game calendar and engage actively in the community to stay updated on upcoming opportunities!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cooking in OSRS

Cooking is one of the most popular skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), and players often have questions about how to efficiently level this skill. Here are some frequently asked questions that cover essential aspects of Cooking in OSRS.

1. What are the best methods for leveling Cooking?

The fastest methods for leveling Cooking include:

  • Cooking Fish: Fish like trout and salmon can be cooked from level 15 onwards and provide good experience.
  • Cooking Meats: Meats such as chicken and beef can also be cooked easily at lower levels.
  • Using Cooking Gauntlets: These items reduce burn rates when cooking certain foods.

2. What foods provide the best experience?

Some foods that provide high experience rates are:

Food Item Cooking Level Experience
Shark 80 210
Anglerfish 84 230
Cooking Pie 70 200

3. How can I reduce my burn rates?

To minimize burn rates when cooking, consider the following:

  • Wear Cooking Gauntlets for specific food types.
  • Cook items at a higher level than required.
  • Use the Cooking Skillcape to avoid burning food.

4. Are there any Cooking-related quests?

Yes, several quests can provide Cooking experience, including:

Understanding these FAQs can significantly enhance your Cooking experience in OSRS. With the right methods and knowledge, leveling Cooking can be efficient and enjoyable.