Unpacking Evil Dave’s Stew in OSRS: A Spicy Guide to Recipe for Disaster

Unpacking Evil Dave’s Stew in OSRS: A Spicy Guide to Recipe for Disaster


If you’ve ever ventured into the quirky world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS), you’ve likely encountered Evil Dave and his infamous stew. A key part of the “Recipe for Disaster” quest, Evil Dave’s stew is a delightful mix of frustration, trial-and-error, and feline assistance. This blog post dives deep into everything you need to know about crafting this spicy concoction, from quest basics to pro tips for success. Whether you’re a seasoned quester or a newbie looking to spice up your OSRS journey, this guide has you covered with all the details—optimized for search engines and packed with practical insights.

Evil Dave’s stew is a central element of the “Freeing Evil Dave” subquest within the broader “Recipe for Disaster” questline in OSRS. This subquest tasks players with creating a perfectly spiced stew to free Evil Dave, a hilariously inept “evil-doer” who’s been frozen in time by the Culinaromancer. The stew isn’t just any dish—it’s a unique blend of four colored spices (red, yellow, brown, and orange) that you must balance in precise amounts. It’s a test of patience and strategy, making it one of the more memorable challenges in OSRS.

Who Is Evil Dave?

Evil Dave, real name David Bartholomew Karloff, is a lovable antagonist living in his mother’s basement in Edgeville. Known for his black attire and dreams of villainy, he’s a recurring character in quests like “Shadow of the Storm” and “Evil Dave’s Big Day Out.” In “Recipe for Disaster,” he’s a member of the Lumbridge Secret Council—chosen because he’s a harmless dark wizard. His obsession with “evil” things, including his stew, drives this subquest’s narrative.

Why the Stew Matters

The stew isn’t just a quirky plot device; it’s your ticket to progressing in “Recipe for Disaster.” Successfully making it unlocks rewards like 7,000 Cooking XP, access to spicy stews for stat boosts, and a hellcat companion. Plus, it’s a stepping stone to earning the coveted Barrows gloves, a must-have for mid-to-late-game players. Mastering this task is both a rite of passage and a practical skill in OSRS.

How to Start the Evil Dave Stew Quest

How to get Orange Red Brown or Yellow Spice for Spicy Stew Boost

Before you can whip up Evil Dave’s stew, you need to kick off the “Freeing Evil Dave” subquest. Here’s how to get started:

  • Prerequisites: Begin “Recipe for Disaster” by speaking to Gypsy Aris in Varrock Square. You’ll need to inspect Evil Dave in the Lumbridge Castle dining room to unlock his subquest.
  • Required Items: Bring a cat (any except an overgrown one—wily cats are best), several bowls of stew (up to 9), and optionally a bucket of milk to revert a hellcat.
  • Location: Head to Edgeville, west of the bank, to Doris’s house. She’s Evil Dave’s mom and your first point of contact.

Step-by-Step Quest Initiation

Once you’re prepped, follow these steps:

  1. Talk to Doris and ask about Evil Dave. She’ll direct you to the basement trapdoor.
  2. Descend into the “Basement of Doom” and chat with Evil Dave. Select the dialogue option “because the magic requires it” to learn he ate a “totally evil stew.”
  3. Speak to Doris again—she’ll reveal that hellrats stole her spices, setting the stage for your culinary adventure.

Crafting Evil Dave’s Stew: The Spicy Process

Making the stew is where the real challenge begins. You’ll need to gather spices from hellrats and experiment with combinations until Evil Dave approves. Here’s the breakdown:

Collecting the Spices

In the basement, use your cat to chase hellrats. Each catch drops one of four spices:

Each spice shaker holds 1-4 doses, and you’ll need at least 6 doses of each to be safe (since the perfect stew requires 1-3 doses per color). After 7-10 catches, your cat may turn into a hellcat—purely cosmetic but undeniably cool.

Finding the Perfect Combination

The stew requires all four spices, with each needing a specific dose (1, 2, or 3) unique to your instance of the quest. Here’s a systematic approach:

  1. Start with one spice—say, 1 dose of red—add it to a stew, and give it to Evil Dave.
  2. If he says “one spice is correct, the rest are incorrect,” note that red is 1 dose. If he says “none are right,” try 2 doses, then 3 until you hit the mark.
  3. Repeat for each spice, testing one at a time. Write down the correct doses (e.g., Red: 2, Yellow: 1, Brown: 3, Orange: 2).
  4. Combine all correct doses into one stew and have Dave taste it. If it’s right, he won’t eat it all—finish the dialogue!

Delivering the Stew

Once approved, take the stew back to Lumbridge Castle and use it on the frozen Evil Dave to complete the subquest. Don’t eat it yourself, or you’ll have to start over!

Tips and Tricks for Evil Dave’s Stew Success

This process can be tedious, but these tips will streamline your efforts:

  • Use a Wily Cat: They have a higher catch rate than kittens or lazy cats, saving time on spice collection.
  • Stock Up on Stews: Bring 9 bowls to cover all possible trials (3 per spice, plus the final mix).
  • Avoid Bugs: If Dave won’t reveal what he ate, hold the spacebar during dialogue and select “because the magic requires it.”
  • Track Progress: Use a notepad or screenshot your findings—losing the combination after hours of work is a nightmare.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Watch out for these hiccups:

  • Teleporting with a hellcat out of the dining hall can make it invisible (log out/in to fix).
  • Adding spices too quickly might not register—pause between doses.
  • Forgetting to finish Dave’s dialogue after he approves the stew means it won’t work in Lumbridge.

Rewards and Beyond: What’s Next After Evil Dave’s Stew?

Completing this subquest is just one piece of the “Recipe for Disaster” puzzle, but it’s a rewarding one. Here’s what you gain:

Reward Description
7,000 Cooking XP A solid boost for your Cooking skill.
Hellcat Your cat’s evil makeover—revert with milk if desired.
Spicy Stew Access Craft stews with stat boosts/lowers using hellrat spices.
Culinaromancer’s Chest Expanded access for more quest rewards.

Spicy Stews in Endgame

Post-quest, spicy stews become a niche tool. Each color affects specific skills (e.g., red for Attack/Strength, yellow for Crafting), with boosts or drops from -5 to +5 based on doses. They’re handy for temporary buffs, like boosting Construction for building, though the randomness limits their reliability compared to potions.

Moving Forward in Recipe for Disaster

With Evil Dave freed, you’re one step closer to facing the Culinaromancer. Tackle the other subquests—like freeing the Goblin Generals or Sir Amik Varze—to unlock the final battle and those sweet Barrows gloves. Each subquest builds on your skills and story, making this a cornerstone of OSRS progression.

Evil Dave’s stew is more than a quest item—it’s a testament to OSRS’s charm, blending humor, challenge, and creativity. Whether you’re chasing XP, a hellcat, or just a good story, this subquest delivers. So grab your cat, stock up on stews, and dive into the Basement of Doom. Have you tackled this quest yet? Share your spice combo woes or triumphs in the comments below!