Salary of Mumbai cook, who spends just 30 minutes making meals per house, is more than what many corporate workers earn

Economic Times

a day ago

iStock A Cook Earning More Than Corporate Employees? Mumbai Lawyer's Post Sparks Conversation
A recent post by Mumbai-based lawyer Ayushi Doshi has drawn significant attention online after she shared details about her household cook's impressive earnings. According to Doshi, the cook, often referred to as a 'maharaj,' charges Rs 18,000 per household and spends no more than half an hour at each home. He manages to work in around 10 to 12 flats within the same residential complex every day. This efficient system not only saves him travel time but also ensures a consistent and substantial monthly income.Taking to X, the lawyer wrote, "My Maharaj (Cook): Charges Rs 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. Meanwhile, I'm out here saying 'gentle reminder' with trembling hands with minimum salary..." — AyushiiDoshiii (@AyushiiDoshiii)
Speaking to the Hindustan Times , Doshi acknowledged that many people find the cook's rates surprising, but she emphasized that his cooking skills and speed justify the cost. Despite his short work duration per house, she believes the value he provides makes it worth the price.
"Of course, not all cooks charge that much; many charge 10-12k as well. But if someone is really good, efficient, and has built a reputation, they can charge a premium. The cook I mentioned is known in our entire locality for almost 10 years, & the families trust him completely. Good cooks with solid reputations charge that much, and people are willing to pay because they deliver quality, consistency, and speed," she told HT. The cook's method of working exclusively in one apartment complex allows him to streamline his schedule while maximizing earnings. He receives free meals and tea at every home, gets paid on time, and chooses not to return to households that delay payment. With an established clientele in a single location, he doesn't waste time commuting across the city, a luxury many service professionals do not have. Doshi pointed out that the cook's reputation has grown over nearly a decade, earning the trust of multiple families in her community.She further elaborated that while Rs 18,000 may sound excessive for two meals daily in one household, this rate is not uncommon in well-off neighborhoods of Mumbai. Doshi added that depending on their skills and popularity, other experienced cooks charge between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000. However, those who are well-known for their consistency, hygiene, and speed often command higher prices.The post sparked widespread discussion online. Some social media users were skeptical about whether a full meal could be prepared in just 30 minutes. One user, with years of personal cooking experience, expressed doubt that traditional Indian dishes could be completed in such a short span without assistance. Others drew comparisons to full-time domestic workers who handle multiple tasks—cooking, cleaning, laundry, and shopping—for lesser salaries.Another netizen shared that their housekeeper, who performs a variety of chores including cooking meals similar to those from a 4-star kitchen, earns Rs 25,000 per month as a full-time staff member. The contrast between that and Rs 18,000 for half an hour of cooking led some to joke about how LinkedIn influencers might now have competition from domestic professionals.Doshi clarified that her intention wasn't just to highlight the cook's earnings. Instead, she hoped to shed light on the deeper issue of how work-life balance and job satisfaction vary across professions. She observed that despite having multiple academic degrees, working long hours in high-stress corporate jobs, and sacrificing weekends, many white-collar employees struggle to earn as much as the cook. Even when they do, they often lack the flexibility and peace of mind that come with such freelance or skill-based jobs."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," she told HT. She added that the real takeaway from her post is not a comparison between corporate and domestic work but a call to acknowledge how professional landscapes are shifting. With skilled labor becoming more valued, people in traditional desk jobs might need to reevaluate their definitions of success and dignity of labor. Doshi concluded by emphasizing the importance of respecting all professions, regardless of whether they involve a formal title or an office setting.