Rs 2 lakh a month for a 30-minute job: Mumbai cook's eye-popping earnings spark debate, netizens ask ‘is he using AI?

Economic Times

6 days ago

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When Mumbai-based lawyer Ayushi Doshi tweeted about her cook's monthly fee of ₹18,000 per household for just 30 minutes of work, she didn't expect it to spark such a strong reaction. But it did.The cook, or maharaj as she called him, doesn't just work one job. He serves 10 to 12 houses every day in the same housing complex, usually spending between 30 to 60 minutes at each, depending on the family size. No travel time. No delay in payments. And yes, he gets chai and a meal at every home.'My Maharaj (Cook)•Charges ₹18k per house•Max 30 mins per house•10–12 houses daily•Free food & free chai everywhere •Gets paid on time or leaves without a goodbye,' she posted on X.
Then she added, 'Meanwhile, I'm out here saying 'gentle reminder' with trembling hands with minimum salary.'
— AyushiiDoshiii (@AyushiiDoshiii)
The contrast wasn't lost on many.Some social media users couldn't believe it. Comments poured in. Some joked. Others accused her of exaggeration. One person wrote, 'It's cook or AI?' Another added, 'Only a Mumbaikar would relate to your post.' A third chimed in, 'Masterchef hai kya?'But Doshi stood by her post.'Mumbai folks, back me up! This is what good Maharajs charge in decent localities. The same cook charges ₹2.5k a day for a family of 12 isn't overcharging, it's just how things work here,' she replied.In a follow-up, she addressed the growing disbelief.'And no, it's not 'engagement farming.' It's just real life experience in one of the most expensive cities in the country. If you can't relate, maybe just accept the difference in cost of living and keep scrolling instead of shouting 'fake' in the comments,' she posted.Speaking to HT.com, Doshi explained that the amount may sound surprising to some, but it reflects the going rate in her part of the city.'I know 18,000 per household for 2 meals sounds a bit unbelievable and honestly, that's the reaction I got from many people too. But that's genuinely what you pay in a decent locality in Mumbai. Of course, not all cooks charge that much, many charge 10 to 12k as well. But if someone is really good, efficient, and has built a reputation, they can charge a premium,' she said.She added that the cook has worked in their complex for nearly a decade and is well-known and trusted by the families there.'Good cooks with solid reputations charge that much, and people are willing to pay because they deliver quality, consistency, and speed,' she said.By her estimate, he works across 10 to 12 flats daily. Even with minimal time spent at each house, the total income adds up quickly.'So it's very much possible for him to make 1.8 to 2 lakhs a month, without any exaggeration,' she told HT.com.But the real story, according to Doshi, isn't just about what the cook earns. It's about the contrast.
'The reason I made the post wasn't just to talk about his income. My point was something deeper… that today, even after getting multiple degrees, working long hours in a corporate job, handling work stress, meeting deadlines, being available on weekends, and barely getting time for yourself, many people still don't earn what he does. And even if they do, they often don't have the same kind of work-life balance or peace of mind,' she said. And that's what struck a chord with many.
'Meanwhile, skilled workers like him, who've mastered their craft, are running their own schedules, earning well, and living peacefully. That's the contrast I wanted to bring out. It wasn't to compare or complain, just to say, the game has changed. And maybe it's time we stop looking down on jobs that don't come with a desk and a LinkedIn profile,' she added.
(Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on X. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.)