Cook: frequently asked questions
A family cook prepares the household's daily meals: balanced menus, shopping, pantry management and meals for guests. It is not a catering service — the cooking happens at home, around the family's tastes and routines. When the role is exclusive, the usual arrangement is an employment contract with Social Security registration.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a cook for the home?
Basic €35 (3 full profiles), Active search €59 (7) and Professional €108 (15), VAT included and paid once by card. Registration and publishing a profile are free; you only pay to unlock contact details. There is no subscription and unlocked profiles can be consulted for 30 days.
What does a family cook earn per month?
For a household requiring exclusive dedication, the indicative range we handle in Andalusia is €1,400 to €2,200 gross per month, always above the SMI, which in 2026 is €1,221 gross across 14 payments. The final figure depends on whether two services a day are covered, on guests and on experience with market cooking. The platform fee is separate and not deducted from the salary.
What does a family cook do?
Daily family cooking, balanced menus, shopping, pantry management and meals for guests. Knowing diets and allergies is part of the job, not an extra. The first thing to settle is how many meals a day, whether cooking for guests is included and who decides the menu.
Is there a contract and Social Security?
Usually yes: when the role is exclusive it is formalised with an employment contract and Social Security registration. The special household scheme is governed by Royal Decree 1620/2011. Administration of the contract and registration is included in the plan.
Can I hire a cook with no experience?
We ask for no minimum number of years, but cooking is a trade you demonstrate by cooking: each profile states its experience in family or restaurant kitchens and references confirm it. The 20-question professional test scores from 0 to 100 and helps compare profiles. For guest menus or special diets, insist on proven experience.
Does the cook need to speak Spanish?
Every profile lists its languages and the catalogue filters by them. Shopping at the market, understanding allergies and coordinating with the family take conversational Spanish in practice. If the household runs in another language, check it in the interview before signing.
How do you verify a cook's documentation?
We check ID or passport, background and references from previous employers before publishing the profile. Each candidate records a video presentation of up to 2 minutes and takes the 20-question professional test — 10 on experience, 10 on psychological profile. Contact details are unlocked when you open the profile.
Can the cook live in the house?
A live-in arrangement can be agreed, although in cooking live-out is more common. If the cook lives in, the household must provide a room, meals and at least 10 hours of uninterrupted night rest. Days off and the schedule of services belong in the contract.
How long does it take to find a cook?
We give no deadline in days: the catalogue opens when payment is confirmed and new profiles are published after verification. Access lasts 30 days, so you can interview several profiles and ask for a cooking trial. Marbella and Málaga have more family-cook supply than the rest of the region.
What if the cook is not the right fit?
The plan includes 3, 7 or 15 unlocks, so you can open another profile without paying again if the menu or the pace does not work. Many families ask for a trial meal before deciding, and it is a good way to check seasoning and kitchen organisation. There is no subscription or automatic renewal.
Where to hire in Andalusia
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