How to find a cook, and driver etiquette?

Indjun

Folks, I am getting tired of eating out every day. How would I go about finding a cook? I would want them to do the grocery shopping and to buy whatever cooking utensils they need. I would like them to come maybe twice a week and cook enough food till they come next time. I am vegetarian and would like them to know how to cook Asian, Italian and health foods in addition to Indian food.

Does anyone have any reccomendations or know how I would go about my search? Also what kind of money should I expect to pay?

capt_mahajan

I would have said ask the neighbours but for the Italian and health food bit... but hey, maybe you have more upmarket neighbours than me.

Possibilities: ask other expats, neighbours, work folk and maybe even advertise in the local classifieds.

No idea what it should cost in Bangalore. Off the top of my head, an Indian would pay about 1000/1500 max, for twice a week. More likely less than that, depending on the city. But no italian/health stuff there.


Be aware that the chances of the person making money on purchases is high, unless you ask them to shop at a supermarket where they give you itemised bills. The utensils etc are better bought by you/in your presence, for similar reasons.

Indjun

Thanks. I dont think my neighbors like me too much. They look at me strange. I think its because I'm a bachelor.

I will probe my expat friends. I will also ask the cook for receipts for groceries. I've always hated shopping, add to that the language barrier, and I hate it even more.

Is that 1000/1500 per month or week?

capt_mahajan

Per month.

Per week, I will cook for you in which case both of us will be eating out

Indjun

Well I got a quote for 5,000INR/month for a cook to come 3 times a week. This also includes groceries. This sounds a bit high considering the rate given above. This person was reccomended from my Realtor.

I have another person coming tonight to check out the kitchen and give me a quote. This person was reccomended from another expat.

puchoo

that sounds expensive to me as well.... although im in Delhi im sure the difference could not be that much ?

We have someone who comes in 3 times a week as well + does a lot of cleaning/dusting/sweeping as well and think my wife gives her about 1200 per month or so...

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nayan

If you expect the cook to prepare Italian/health food.... and assuming you also want him/her to be able to communicate in english you may have to pay 5000.

brownboy66

yeah but do you look any good in an apron? and can you make cheesecake!

If you want someone who can cook italian, hold back on the oil, use organic ingredients, do shopping for you, and speak english then 1500 per month isn't going to do it. The sort of person you're after will have worked for foreign families before - which means someone who has worked for an exec from a multinational, or an embassy. Got to the Delhi network office at the Hyatt and check out the notice board there (they have a notice board with that sort of stuff). Alternatively - you can always put up your own notice there as well.

good luck.

puchoo

sorry , i agree with BB and Nayan on this and re-tract my comment made earlier on the price bit. i think cap'n and i read it the same way...

capt_mahajan

I had qualified my 'quote' with



Btw, 5000 a month for coming in daily, maybe.

But for coming in 2/3 times a week, 5000 a month is too much, expat or not, pasta or not, English or not.

My two bits.

Piper

For "expat" types of cooking, I hate to say it but you can expect to pay quite a bit (I'd say Rs. 4k-5k is about what I would think it would cost). You can start by asking your maid and/or driver if they can refer anyone. Most staff folks typically will be able to ask around amongst their friends, other staff people, etc. Then, once you've identified someone, find out what they know (can they read/follow a recipe, do they already know how to do some dishes). The more qualified they are, the more costly they will be.

You could look into an employment agency; I think I have the # of one that provides a lot of expat services. If I can find it, I will send to you. They prob. have a website though---the company is called Expat Express.

brishti

concur with nayan

5k for a chop-chop-jaaldi-jaaldi english-speaking-italian-cooking-phancy-marketing personnel will cost that much.

cant have your pasta and eat it too indjun.



brishti

Aishah

We pay our cook 200 rupees per day - it is a casual wage - he comes when needed.

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capt_mahajan

It seems I have underestimated the value of Italian dishes.

I did that before, with Sophia Loren, too

brishti

you underestimated SOPHIA LOREN???
sheesh cap'n - not you - nahin nahin.
and how did you estimate gina lolobrigida


:brishti

good 'un cap'n!