Due to jam-packed schedules and multiple eating option, we, today are eating increasingly less healthy food than ever. Hectic professional lives, and numerous personal commitments and exhausting routines have made cooking a chore which is often avoided by most people. However, as the age-old saying goes – Health is Wealth and hence, taking care of the food that you eat is of prime importance. The easiest way to ensure you have access to wholesome home-made food despite having absolutely zero free time, is to hire a cook. Apart from health benefits, the long-term economic benefits are a welcome reason too.
The markets are plush with cooks who are happy to make your daily meals. However, each family or individual’s diet requirements and preferences are different, and it is best to hire someone who knows your kind of cuisine or taste . Finding cooks through personal referrals from friends and family, or reaching out to hiring agencies are two good options. While you short-list your preferred cook, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Experience is Key
The best cooks are the ones who are versatile and know different cuisines. Find a cook who has worked in homes before and enquire about the sort of food he or she prepares regularly. The more experienced the cook, the more variety you will enjoy and they will also be more efficient with time and preparation methods.
Specialty Cooks
Are you missing your homemade rotis and alu matar in your new Chennai house? Do you want to replace that everyday paneer with some idlis? Luckily, Indian cities are among the most cosmopolitan in the world, so you will never be far away from a speciality cook who will dish out your favourite food taking you, momentarily at least, back to the comfort of your hometown. Just make sure you ask the right questions about specific cuisines.
Health Awareness
This is a crucial factor when hiring a cook. Make sure your cook knows if you do not like more than a certain amount of oil in your cooking, or that you prefer spices only on rare occasions. Professional cooks are strict with hygiene and know techniques to create simple everyday favourites with health related adjustments as these are very common requests. Look for a cook who is flexible rather than someone with a rigid style of cooking.
Financials
Make sure you have established the salary that your cook will be expecting from you but also discuss the scenarios for leaves. It may sound harsh, but a salary cut for extended leave days is fair in such situations. It will also reduce the possibility of your cook coming up with excuses and leaving you hungry. However, sick leaves etc, should also be taken into account. The more professionally we take the hiring, the better results we are guaranteed to reap.
Responsibilities
Is your cook in charge of cleaning up the preparation area? That can be a clause when you hire a home cook. Ensure that you communicate the possibility of cooking for more guests well in advance. It is fair for the cook to know clearly the responsibilities and extra work that might come up sometimes.
Background Checks
Don’t take chances. Yes, your cook is an earnest and hard-working person, but you are also giving the individual physical access to your home. You are well within your rights to get a background check done and know your cook’s basic personal details like the home address. If you have a family with children, then this is a duty that you have to perform. Feedback from other employers is priceless.
Change your eating patterns and give yourself a healthy lifestyle. Find a responsible cook with referrals from previous employers at QuikrServices, and relish home food while not compromising on your free time.