China's young kitchen wizards establishing careers as on-demand chefs
This photo taken on May 18, 2025 shows dishes cooked by Xia Lu (not her real name) for her clients in Beijing, capital of China. – Xinhua photo
BEIJING (June 5): A wok sizzled as garlic chives and Chinese kale hit hot oil, while pork rib and lotus root soup simmered with a bubbling sound on a stove. In addition, a whole fish, steamed and doused in soy sauce, could be spotted on the kitchen counter, neighboring a pile of spicy crawfish coated in chili oil.
Ding Yuqing, 23, juggled preparation of these dishes while navigating an unfamiliar kitchen. A college student in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, she was making a hometown feast for a family who hired her to cook in their home.
'I love cooking,' she said. 'Such home-cooking visits have improved my skills, and I really enjoy cooking for others.'
Ding is part of a rising wave of young Chinese embracing a new gig, that of on-demand chef. Often students, office workers or freelancers, they offer homemade meals to time-starved urbanites seeking the likes of health, comfort and a taste of home.
On social media, the trend is hot. Hashtags related to 'on-demand chefs' have amassed over 1.45 billion views on Douyin and more than 35 million on 'rednote,' an app better known as Xiaohongshu. Notably, last month, a viral story about a woman earning nearly 20,000 yuan (about 2,784 U.S. dollars) a month cooking six meals a day rocketed to the top of Sina Weibo's trending list.
Health on the menu
For Ding, it all began with a few food photos. Over the winter break last year, she posted snapshots of her home-cooked dishes online. To her surprise, requests started rolling in, asking: 'Can you come cook for me?'
'At first, I was nervous cooking in someone else's kitchen,' she admitted. 'Now it's second nature.'
She currently offers services within a 10-kilometer radius on weekends and during school breaks. Before each visit, she discusses taste preferences with her clients and asks them to supply ingredients and seasonings. After preparing meals, she also tidies up, washes dishes and even takes out the trash for her clients.
For a typical order of three dishes and one soup, Ding receives a payment of 80-100 yuan.
Most of her clients, she noted, are young people juggling hectic schedules. One repeat customer, a 30-year-old office worker, has hired her more than 30 times. 'This customer and her husband are both too busy to cook,' Ding explained.
This photo taken on April 29, 2025 shows dishes cooked by Xia Lu (not her real name) for her clients in Beijing, capital of China. – Xinhua photo
China's busy urban workers have long relied on the country's sprawling food delivery sector, which employs over 10 million scooter-riding couriers, but Ding's case may reflect a consumption upgrade, with a sizable number of urbanites willing to dig deeper into their pockets for healthier and bespoke alternatives to takeout.
Li Xiaoyang, a 30-year-old from Wuhan, said this new type of service became essential for him after a bad experience with takeout left him sick for a week.
'Having someone cook for you means personalized dishes, better hygiene and a more relaxed atmosphere, whether it's a family dinner or a classmate reunion,' Li said.
Entrepreneurs have taken notice of this booming market. Hu Quanyu, founder of Chef51, an on-demand platform that connects professional chefs with customers, said the service now operates in over 50 cities across China and works with more than 1,500 chefs.
Hu plans to launch a new platform aimed at part-time cooking enthusiasts, allowing them to pick up orders posted by users. The system will provide basic checks like ID and health certificates.
'The new service of on-demand home cooking is more affordable and flexible for budget-conscious young consumers,' he said, adding that the trend reflects changing consumption habits among China's younger generation, who, fueled by rising incomes, are increasingly investing in health, convenience and quality of life.
A report by Zhiyan Consulting underscored this shift. It showed that the value of China's health and wellness market surpassed 1 trillion yuan in 2023 — with people aged 18 to 35 accounting for 83.7 percent of this market.
Side hustle turns serious
China's 'on-demand economy' has diversified rapidly in recent years, with services ranging from in-home elderly care to space organization within homes. These offerings have been hailed for meeting personalized consumer demands, thus promoting consumption, but also for creating much-needed new job opportunities.
Back in 2022, the Chinese government issued a guideline aimed at improving gig economy services to boost employment.
The number of flexible workers in China exceeded 265 million in 2024, including 175 million engaged in platform-based gig work, according to an industry report by Hangzhou-based Gongmall, a digital solutions provider for the gig sector. By 2050, total wages in the sector are expected to exceed 50 trillion yuan.
Still, the fast-growing on-demand chef industry is not without risks and shortcomings. While recognizing its contribution to flexible employment and urban lifestyles, Hu Junjie, a lawyer based in Hubei, said safety and liability concerns remain due to a lack of regulations governing this novel service.
The lawyer thus called for a clearer legal framework, better protection for workers, and more oversight from relevant platforms and authorities. 'That said, China already has similar platform services like food delivery and taxi-hailing, management of which is quite mature, and thereby serves as a useful reference,' he added.
For some, like Xia Lu (not her real name), the on-demand chef role has evolved from a side hustle to a full-time profession. Burned out from long working hours, the 27-year-old native of southwest China's Sichuan Province, known among her social media followers for her fiery, flavor-packed cooking, quit her job with a foreign-owned company in Beijing in late 2023.
She now charges at least 128 yuan per home-cooking trip and handles up to three clients a day. While her current income, about 7,000 yuan a month, is lower than her previous job, Xia relishes the greater freedom it offers her.
'When the weather's good, I go hiking. When it rains, I rest,' she said. 'I've never felt so free and fulfilled.'
She's planning to leave Beijing next summer to open a private kitchen in Yunnan, a southwestern province known for its beautiful scenery, slower pace of life and constant flow of hungry tourists.
For Ding Yuqing, meanwhile, the momentum is only just beginning.
'I believe the on-demand chef industry will continue to grow,' she said. 'It not only meets the evolving needs of health-conscious consumers, but also gives passionate cooks like me a meaningful and flexible career path.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysia Sun
6 hours ago
- Malaysia Sun
Bruneian youth to participate in marine conservation
Xinhua 06 Jun 2025, 21:47 GMT+10 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Bruneian youth will take part in marine conservation activities held in conjunction with Ocean Week Brunei 2025, local media reported on Friday. The first activity, Reef Ball Fabricator, will take place on June 12 at the Serasa Jetty, near Muara port town, according to local daily Borneo Bulletin. Youth participants will learn to fabricate reef balls, artificial reef structures made from a special concrete mix that supports coral growth. This will be followed by Reef Ball Discovery on June 22, also based in Serasa. Youth will assist in preparing coral fragments, known as "corals of opportunity," to be planted on reef balls deployed at snorkeling site in Pelong Rocks.
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Feature: Displaced Gazan families in Cairo mark Eid al-Adha with memories, hope
CAIRO, June 6 (Xinhua) -- As the Eid al-Adha prayers echoed through Cairo on Friday morning, Yasser Qudih, a former photojournalist from Gaza, couldn't help but think of past celebrations back home. "Eid in Gaza was always a grand affair," 41-year-old Qudih recalled, as he walked toward a nearby mosque for prayers with his three children -- 16-year-old Salam, 14-year-old Amir, and little Assil. "We would gather with all our family members after slaughtering the sacrificial animals. The joy of distributing the meat to the needy and our extended family was unparalleled," he noted. Now, far from his cherished home in Khan Younis, where their two-storey house was destroyed, Qudih and his family live in a cramped rented apartment in Cairo. They left Gaza in May 2024, navigating dangerous paths after difficult months spent in overcrowded tents or seeking temporary refuge in relatives' homes. More than 100,000 Palestinians have sought refuge in Egypt since the war erupted in October 2023, according to the Palestinian embassy in Cairo. After settling in Egypt, many aspects of their lives changed significantly. Qudih, who once lived comfortably as a photojournalist, now relies on dwindling savings, further depleted by the painful necessity of selling his car. "I do not spend like before," he admitted, managing expenses with care. "I'm very keen to narrow my spending, to make these savings last as long as possible, for the sake of my children's uncertain future." His children attend online classes for displaced Palestinians, a vital but incomplete substitute for the rich learning environment and social connections of their former schools. His wife, Rana, a quiet source of strength beside him, is equally homesick. Tragically, she lost her parents and three of her siblings in the war, a devastating blow that adds another layer of grief to her displacement. "I miss those days in Gaza, especially during Eid," she said. "The simple joy of spending good times with my kids, gathering with family and friends, the laughter, the shared meals ... It is all gone now." The devastating impact of the conflict has left an indelible mark on her spirit, a persistent ache. "I feel immense sadness for losing our home and our future in Gaza," she said, "but I'm more terrified for my family there. They do not feel safe, not for a moment, and they can barely get enough food or clean water." Despite the profound pain and uncertainty, Qudih strives to find a normality and build new connections in Cairo. He exchanged heartfelt greetings with his Egyptian neighbors during Eid. "I have made good Egyptian friends here," he said, adding "Egypt has been very kind to us, offering a refuge when we had nowhere else to go, and for that, we are truly thankful." Yet, the pull of home remains an irresistible force. The middle-aged man still dreams of moving back to Gaza, where he hopes to rebuild his life from the ground up. Salam, his eldest son, echoes his parent's feelings in exile. "I miss my school, I miss my friends," he said, remembering Eid mornings in Gaza when he would rise early with his father, uncles, and cousins for communal prayers, followed by a joyful procession to his grandmother's home to offer Eid greetings and receive small gifts. "I especially miss the big home garden where I used to play football and run around with my cousins," he sighed, contrasting it with their small Cairo apartment. A few districts away, in another part of the city, 44-year-old computer engineer Mohammed Shaaban was also grappling with the complex, nostalgic emotions of Eid. After performing the Eid prayers with his two sons, Shaaban took them to his parents' rented apartment, where the Gazan family tradition was recreated as he met with his two brothers, their wives, and their children. The apartment buzzed with chatter and the comforting smell of homemade traditional Palestinian pancakes prepared by their mother. It was a warm, familiar atmosphere, a precious bubble of connection, yet a profound happiness was still missing, overshadowed by the collective grief. "We talked about our lives back in Gaza, the memories of better times, the places we missed dearly," Shaaban told Xinhua. "We also talked over the constant challenges we are experiencing here in Egypt, and the uncertainty of our future." Shaaban admitted that the only thing that can truly bring them genuine, lasting joy is the end of this war and the return to their home. His brother, Ahmed, a 41-year-old accountant who has managed to secure a stable job at an Egyptian company, showed a glimmer of optimism amidst the shared despair. "I believe this war will end within a few months, perhaps even sooner. The ongoing talks over a ceasefire and the increasing pressure from the international community will hopefully bring an end to this war," Ahmed said. His reasonable salary provides a crucial measure of stability for his wife and three children, allowing him to be more proactive in bringing joy to his kids this Eid. He bought them new clothes, symbols of hope and new beginnings, and after prayers, promised to take them to public gardens. "I hope to be back in Gaza before the end of the year," he said. "I hope we will not wait for long to have this dream come true."
Borneo Post
17 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak Tian Association celebrates 75 years of cultural legacy, community service
Dr Sim (second right) pays tribute to the elderly by giving them ang paos, accompanied by Rodger (right). – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (June 6): The Sarawak Tian Association celebrated its 75th anniversary this evening with a meaningful event that honoured senior citizens and recognised students for their academic achievements, held at the SJK(C) Chung Hua No. 2 hall. The celebration was graced by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who commended the association's longstanding contributions to cultural preservation and community welfare. 'This celebration embodies three joys, which are commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Tian Clan Association, showing our respect for the elderly, which is a cornerstone of Chinese culture, and rewarding our young ones for their pursuit of education,' he said in his speech. Reflecting on his upbringing, Dr Sim shared a personal story about how his father encouraged him to join the clan association at a young age. 'I used to ask, 'What is the association for?' and my father would say, 'If there's no food, the association provides food'. 'If there are no benefits, it provides benefits; and if you're out of work, the association will help you find a job. 'It's all for the welfare of our people,' he said. He emphasised the vital role clan associations have played in advocating for the welfare, values, and cultural heritage of the Chinese community, and their continued relevance in fostering unity through shared traditions. As part of the celebration, the association presented academic incentives to students from primary school through to university level. 'This is something new, we are not just rewarding schooling but encouraging the spirit of learning. 'In Sarawak, no one can say they can't study because of money. 'The real issue now is students not wanting to study. 'But education is essential as these students are our future, they will carry on our culture and help build a better Sarawak,' he said. Dr Sim also highlighted the importance of nurturing the younger generation beyond academics. 'It's not just about language, knowledge or culture. We must also instill values, Sarawakian values and wisdom,' he said, praising the formation of the Chinese Youth Tian Association. The event, led by organising chairman Chan Kheng Choon, association chairman Henry Chan, and vice chairman Rodger Chan, featured a vibrant 24-drum festive performance, a lucky draw, and a cake-cutting ceremony to commemorate the milestone. anniversary Dr Sim Kui Hian Rodger Chan Sarawak Tian Association
