Personal or Private Chef

LSurfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 01:19
Last edited 12/07/2020 - 01:20

Hello Ozbargainers,

I am looking for recommendations on how others out there have managed to solve the 'couple in mid 30's, full time professional workers (8am-6pm) who don't have time or can't make time to cook meals at home' conundrum.

I've given the precooked meals a solid go more than once (youfoodz, musclemeals, lite n'easy etc.) and I just cannot maintain it as I find the variety of tasty food is very limited.

Does anyone have experience with using a private/personal chef/cook for 3-4 nights per week? Does such a service exist in Sydney that's 'affordable' (under $300 per week)?

Thanking you in advance for your contribution.

Food & Grocery

Comments

    • jjjaar on 12/07/2020 - 12:46
      +18

      Yes, this is literally what the rest of us who work those hours do. You have to make the time to do this. Stick your Netflix on while you do and you won’t even realise you’ve made two meals with about 8 portions each.

      • Hardlyworkin on 12/07/2020 - 13:57
        +7

        If I had the disposable income to spare I wouldn't give up my time on the weekends to cook or clean, not every weekend anyway.

      • Hybroid on 12/07/2020 - 18:40
        +4

        How about the 10-15 min meal kits then? I do those half the week and takeaways other half.

        • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 19:55

          What are these 10-15 min meal kits? Only ones I know about are the microwaveable ones (Youfoodz, Lite n'easy etc)

          • Hybroid on 12/07/2020 - 20:05
            +7

            @Surfer Dude: There's plenty of them like this: https://www.oodee.com.au/meal-selection/

            You get all the raw ingredients ready to go and step by step guide to pull a meal together in one pot/wok. Pretty simple even for people like me that are hopeless at cooking.

            Each kit is all inclusive down to even oil sachet and salt/pepper and lasts about a week in fridge.

            Creamy chicken risotto & Thai green chicken curry recommended.

            • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 20:20

              @Hybroid: Thanks Hybroid, I'll check this out. Sounds promising!

              • htc on 14/07/2020 - 21:29
                +4

                @Surfer Dude: there is also hello fresh

                • abb on 15/07/2020 - 10:24
                  +4

                  @htc: Marley Spoon is another one, tasty food but might be too time consuming for OP, gotta cut the veggies up yourself.

      • Zephyrus on 13/07/2020 - 22:28
        +7

        Make simpler dishes. There's about a million one-pot recipe lists, you can either
        A) Make it and put it in the fridge
        B) Cut the ingredients up, put those in the fridge

        Something like a Japanese curry is super easy and refrigerates well. It's commonly on my lunch rotation.

        My other suggestion is that reheated food is generally better if it's a little spicy. Reheated salmon and asparagus isn't great, a reheated Thai curry is much better.

        • sakurashu on 14/07/2020 - 10:47
          +2

          ^ This guy knows what's up.

          In a slow cooker or even just a big casserole pot on the stove you can make things like curries, chilli con carne, soups, stews.
          Add in how quick and easy it is to shove things in an oven and you can add quick things like fish and chips, roast vegetables, pies.

          I honestly find that for most easier meals it takes me longer at the supermarket than it does for actual cooking…..

          Bam - Frozen peas in a pot, broccoli in the steamer, tasmanian salmon in a pan with asparagus next to it drizzled with a bit of butter and some salt and pepper.

          If it takes 1/4 of your weekend you're doing something seriously wrong.

      • Maz78 on 14/07/2020 - 09:18
        +4

        Spend that money on a chef to TEACH you then. Sounds like you have no idea…

      • Serapis on 14/07/2020 - 14:31
        +9

        Me and my partner are in a similar position to you but do this for our dinners:

        Cook for 6 servings 2 times a week (eat 2 meals and box the other 4), eat out on Saturday. It looks like this:

        Sun - Cook 6 serves and eat 2
        Mon - Eat food from Sunday
        Tue - Eat food from Sunday

        Wed - Cook 6 serves and eat 2
        Thu - Eat food from Wed
        Fri - Eat food from Wed

        Sat - Eat out at restaurants / buy takeaway

        You only cook twice a week, food only stays in fridge up to 2 days so it's still really fresh. If we have dinner plans on any weekdays, we just reduce the servings we make on Sun / Wed.

        • tks1432 on 15/07/2020 - 19:32
          +1

          Try freezing the food for optimum freshness and flavour. We freeze most leftovers even if we plan to eat it the next day.

          • Serapis on 15/07/2020 - 23:15
            +1

            @tks1432: Yep although i think 2 days in the fridge is still pretty good. We do freeze stuff that we cooked too much of such as slow cooked / stewed meat dishes. We also slice up and vac pack the smoked stuff since it keeps really well.

            Other things like veges or stuff containing potato, not so much since they lose their texture after freezing. If a dish we want to freeze requires veges, we don't actually get veges to cook - instead we will cook the dish without the veges and add frozen veges direct from the supermarket packs in it afterwards.

      • borrisz0r on 15/07/2020 - 12:08
        +2

        So your awake for 16 hours on the weekend to make 4 hours a quarter of your weekend? Yeah ok.

        This post took up 98% of my taxing 8-6 job.

  • desparito on 12/07/2020 - 08:20
    +25

    That is heck of a record… 10yrs of being a member and no bargain in these years have been lucrative enough for a post/comment. COVID brings the best out of human beings

    Member Since
    26/11/2010
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    • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 18:37
      +17

      Very long time lurker, 10 years apparently. I must have created an account back in 2010 and forgotten about it. I've never needed anything from the OzB community until now - when I tried to sign in I learned that I've had an account all along.
      I'll be sure to go back through the Telstra, 7-eleven, Optus & Jb Hi Fi deals and +1 them retrospectively ;)

  • contrafibularities on 12/07/2020 - 08:35
    +39

    While we’re at I am a professional with a very busy schedule - 7am to 7pm, I wonder if someone can recommend a valet that can help me get dressed in the morning, draw my bath, switch on my laptop and launch Zoom and give me the occasional massage. Hopefully for less than $200 per week no certificate or formal butler qualifications necessary.

    • [Deactivated] on 12/07/2020 - 09:44
      +11

      Depends.

      If you look like Charlize Theron, I'll pay you $200/wk.

      If you look like Jack Black, no thanks.

      • tallkid123 on 12/07/2020 - 23:02
        +38

        If you look like Jack Black's bank account, I'll treat you like Charlize Theron.

      • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2020 - 09:20

        Eww

    • star-ggg on 14/07/2020 - 07:55
      +4

      In the US that job would require a master's degree

  • Marcsie on 12/07/2020 - 09:02
    +2

    First world problem !
    lol 😂

    • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2020 - 09:21

      More like
      Zeroth world problem

  • dasher86 on 12/07/2020 - 09:04
    +10

    Under $300? Might as well get ubereats

    • tomsco on 12/07/2020 - 22:04
      +1

      I mean if they go the full 4 nights, that’s $75 a night. Unless you’re having steak every night, you’ll have decent change at the end of the week from $300.

      • dasher86 on 12/07/2020 - 22:27

        Knock on neighbours door and ask them to cook dinner for you for $75 a night…
        Must be good food though.

  • Hithere on 12/07/2020 - 09:12
    +36

    I'm very lazy and I want a family, does anyone know an already pregnant lady? I'll pay up to $30 a week.

    • This Guy on 15/07/2020 - 14:19

      Destroy a woman's self esteem enough to date you, have sex and you'll pay me a trailing commission?

      You're putting your name on the birth certificate. Right?

  • sahh on 12/07/2020 - 09:41
    +10

    Maybe this is OPs first experience of having to cook often as restaurants have been closed/take away only!

    My tips would be:
    - meal prep once a week (i.e. have a think about what you want to eat and make sure you have/buy the ingredients in your weekly shop)
    - prep the night before (maybe chop up the veg, marinate the meat, so all you do after work is cook)
    - cook extra and freeze (for the days when you CBF cooking and need a quick meal). Especially good for stuff that’s hard to make small portions of (curries, soups)

    • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 18:38

      Thanks for your advice Sahh

  • Seraphin7 on 12/07/2020 - 09:44
    +2

    FMD … retitle the post to "Looking to spend $300 a week in a way that maximises the amount of skin ripping we can do in front of our friends".

    • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 18:39
      +3

      I don't understand your comment.. What's skin ripping about?

    • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2020 - 09:21

      Jelus moch?

  • djkelly69 on 12/07/2020 - 09:51
    +9

    Surely your nanny or butler or driver would have some recommendations??

    • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 18:40
      -3

      Don't have a nanny or butler yet. Not enough disposable income to consider those options (plus no kids either so no need).

      • BlitzR on 14/07/2020 - 21:15
        +7

        So you work8-6, have no kids. But you can't spend 30min-1hr a night to cook? Now that's the true art of being lazy.

  • WreckTangle on 12/07/2020 - 09:54
    +16

    My shoelace is untied. Does anyone know of a service to help me for under $300 a week?

    • funnysht on 14/07/2020 - 12:51
      -2

      Cooking is prob a 60min job, not a 6 second job bud

  • whooah1979 on 12/07/2020 - 09:58
    +8

    Op. Have look on gumtree and Facebook. There are people that provide personal services within your budget.

    It isn't unusual for busy business owners or individuals on high incomes to hire people to do housework. Cleaners, landscapers, personal shoppers, 🐕 walkers, home tutoring, etc. Those on higher budgets have au pairs.

    • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 18:40

      Thanks Whooah, I'll have a squiz

    • 91rs on 14/07/2020 - 11:49

      This.
      Know a few people who do this for locally made food or meals for a couple nights a week (ILO take-aways) or for work lunchs once or twice a week to have things ready made to go.

  • missLJ on 12/07/2020 - 11:23
    +5

    I've worked those hours and I've come home and cooked (5am to 7pm inc. travel times).

    Meal preps. Once a week on your weekend, bulk prepare meals. Have a look at reddit's Meal Prep thing. Saturday after brunch/mimosa brunch, get your groceries delivered. Cook on sunday. Lots of ziplock bags. And a slow cooker.

    Seriously; try those places that serve the older generation or the disabled. That'd be for your budget. Otherwise Lite and Easy.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 12/07/2020 - 13:38
      +1

      And a slow cooker.

      This.

    • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 18:42
      +1

      Did you find that the cooking time affected your relationship with your partner at all? I.e less time to spend with each other?
      Did you take turns or one did most/all of the work?

      • [Deactivated] on 12/07/2020 - 20:08
        +8

        Can’t you cook together? That’s still spending quality time with each other.

        • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 20:13
          +7

          We can, and we currently do wherever possible (when we're not drained from work), but I think it would be much better for both of us if we can pass that task onto someone else so we can spend some time to unwind with each other, then dine, then spend the remaining hours with leisure activities/catching up on work.

          after a sh!thouse day at work, having to get started with cooking immediately after getting home (so you're not eating dinner at 9pm) makes the day even worse…

          • sakurashu on 14/07/2020 - 10:54
            +1

            @Surfer Dude: It might just be my personal experience but I really enjoy spending that time cooking with my partner - if you think about which parts of cooking are frustrating you, you might be able to focus a solution to make those parts easier and quicker? E.g. if it's chopping up vegetables could you get a little machine to dice or slice whatever you're having? If it's slicing up chicken can you focus on dishes where you have a full breast piece that you can just slap on to cook?

          • bleckyL on 17/07/2020 - 11:52
            +1

            @Surfer Dude: What are you normally cooking?

            I can have almost any meal prepared in about 30 minutes or less. We reserve the more complicated things to weekends. Normally during the week we do a simple pasta (usually the pasta is made fresh in about 10 mins), rice or stew type meal. The stews generally roll over the next couple of days where you just add another few ingredients the next day to mix it up. For example chicken stew will start out more as a soup, then the next day you add some lentils and (precooked) pasta to thicken it then the third day you can add some cream. This gives you a bit of variety to the same dish and it's super quick to prepare.

            Typically it's more about getting smart about how you cook. Most of the dish you are making is spent cooking in which you can sit down and have a wine while you wait. If the meal takes a bit longer, then do some prep on the weekends (make your stocks and the like then and freeze them).

            We do some stuff on the BBQ too (gas webber), you just chuck it on and wait.

            Edit: one thing you can do is see if your local restaurant does any prep based meals. My wife goes to a few Korean restaurants that actually put all the fresh ingredients into a container for you (you can bring your own containers) and you just need to cook them. It's usually is about the same price or less than eating there/take out depending on whether the place typically does it for its customers.

            • Surfer Dude on 17/07/2020 - 23:53

              @bleckyL: Thanks for you comment. Our dishes currently revolve around a cut of meat as the main and sides are added around it (e.g. Chicken or steak or lamb is the main meat and salads, steamed veggies, roasted veggies are the sides). Sometimes we do non-meat (as the main) dishes like pasta, lasagna spag bol.

              It's not about the time it takes so much as we don't enjoy the entire cooking experience.
              Thanks for your tips on what you prepare, I'll give it some consideration.

              Edit: you're one of many that have recommended putting something in the oven/slow cooker etc while we sip on some wine. Does it make us unusual that neither of us drink alcohol with our meals at home, at restaurants maybe a wine but otherwise it's a soft drink or water with the meals..

      • missLJ on 13/07/2020 - 20:06
        +1

        Share sometimes! But I'm a younger human.

        But I would do most of the work yes. shrug. If I'm really overwhelmed I'll snap but we know what my triggers are now; and that's "tiredness" and "not using my words appropriately" and internalising what needs to be done.

        E: do have a look into a slow cooker, and maybe even the God Tier Instant Pot. It's a cult type thing, but if you have the bench space, you can cook lots of things in it. Even brown off stuff!

      • geoffs87 on 14/07/2020 - 07:12
        +11

        Seriously?

        If your relationship can’t handle 30-45mins apart to cook 4 nights per week, I think you both need a new relationship. Some would argue the enjoyment from eating each other’s home cooked meals together is binding.

        I mean, my wife and I work those hours, in our early 30’s, probably on similar incomes, have a dog that needs to be walked twice daily, and have a baby. One cooks, the other baths and puts bub to bed, take it in turns. We then sit down, eat and watch Netflix. I’m not trying to sound like I have it hard, rather I think this is the norm for most of the population. Our relationship is as strong as ever.

        To save hassle and time, we get HelloFresh/ marley spoon. Their meal kits are delivered and you prepare/cook them in 30-45mins. Takes the hassle out of meal planning/ shopping etc.

        • Surfer Dude on 14/07/2020 - 11:27
          +4

          I think you're missing the point. We don't want to do the everyday cooking, we don't enjoy doing the everyday cooking. Weekend/party/special occasion cooking: sure no problem, I'll get the charcoal out and do a 5hr rib slow cook in the Weber, but that's an enjoyable activity for us, you can do other stuff while that's going on - not so much joy in cooking the day-to-day meals.
          We see the everyday cooking a menial task/chore that MUST be done (you can can defer cleaning/gardening/DIY projects for another day, cant do that with feeding oneself).

          Good on you for being able to accomplish what you have in your relationship with your partner; but horses for courses. I can easily judge someone as being lazy/unskilled for not knowing or wanting anything to do with maintaining their vehicles/lawns/DIY renno's etc. but that's what they choose to outsource to someone else. The fact that I'm seeking to outsource something that everyone HAS to do on a daily basis makes it no different from someone who refuses to clean/detail their vehicle.

          • callum9999 on 14/07/2020 - 23:21
            +7

            @Surfer Dude: Not being willing to cook for yourself isn't remotely similar to not being able to fix a car or do DIY…

            While I completely disagree with everyone mocking you (it's your money - if you want to waste it on this then that's purely up to you, I'm sure we all waste money on certain things), don't try and pretend that you're just an "average guy outsourcing a perfectly normal thing".

    • anastasiastarz on 15/07/2020 - 04:09

      lol those places serve mush. I've tried most and recommend Thrive or youfoodz (if you want to spend a little less).

  • MS Paint on 12/07/2020 - 11:27
    +9

    What a lazy couple. I know of a family with both parents who work those hours. They have 2 kids under 10. The kids are well adjusted, mature and responsible beyond their years. They are a wholesome family that have great family time on weekends. And…….

    The parents prepare a family meal every night. Takeaway is not a financial option for them.

    It's not rocket science.

    It's about time management and educating yourself in the kitchen.

    • Hardlyworkin on 12/07/2020 - 14:06
      +8

      It's easy to assume that OP is lazy but who knows what else they have going on in their life? Caring, volunteering etc. Or maybe they just hate cooking and have the money to spare and are busy at swingers clubs every night. Not everyone wants to live the 'wholesome family life'.

      • Mechz on 12/07/2020 - 14:27
        +9

        They would have mentioned if something else was occupying their time. I guarantee it's just Netflix and cbf'd.

        • Hardlyworkin on 12/07/2020 - 15:27
          +8

          Why would they have felt the need to divulge and explain their personal particulars to an internet forum when seeking a general answer?

    • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 20:05
      +12

      Making a lot of assumptions there @MS Paint.

      We are a childless couple and our combined incomes are well above average with no debt. I've spent my entire life educating myself and working hard to progress in my career and earn more money (as we all do). I'm now at the point where I realise the importance of eating fresh, healthy meals and I'm willing to pay someone else to do this for me because I do not want to spend whatever leftover time I have on weekday's thinking about what to eat, ensuring I have the right ingredients, preparing and cooking the meal, then cleaning everything up (then repeat again for work lunch food) . It's an activity that I'm not great at, at the best of times, and it's also something that I don't see value/passion in doing it myself. What's the point of working hard/educating oneself & earning a higher income if not to make one's life easier? This would make my life easier and give me time back (in exchange for money).

      Props to your family friend who has that setup, good for them. But that's not my situation.

      • ass3ts on 13/07/2020 - 22:02
        +5

        $300/day, not $300/week.

        • chriskq on 14/07/2020 - 10:59
          +6

          exactly right. $300 for 3 nights work would be pittance per hour when you break it down if you are expecting them to shop, prep, cook & clean

          It's really not hard to cook 2 or 3 big meals a week and then get takeaway once or twice.

          PS @ OP - yo could try dinner ladies. More expensive than hello fresh etc but you can buy big family meals and still avoid meal prep/cooking

      • jace88 on 13/07/2020 - 22:26
        +7

        Have you considered local catering services in your Facebook community? We started doing that as an alternative to uber eats and the like.

      • njastar on 14/07/2020 - 08:49

        Could you ask one of your parents? If they're retired they may appreciate something to do and the extra money.

      • ihbh on 14/07/2020 - 09:08
        +3

        What's the point of working hard/educating oneself & earning a higher income if not to make one's life easier?

        For my perspective you need to think very long term.

        Broadening your perspective and skills and making time for yourself might be the most important things you realise on your death bed.

        One sided education won't build your cognitive reserve (read up about this and implications for neurological diseases), just like doing arm curls to build your biceps aren't going to make you healthy.

        I suppose I'm a bit like you in that I studied hard, but I had natural ability and interests so branched out into a lot of things. Also, because I did a number of things well early on, I could take multi year career breaks, etc., which is why from my experience I'm suggesting gradually learn about nutrition and buying and cooking and you'll thank yourself when you're older.

        Note that when you say make your life easier, you can make it easier in the short term and much harder in the long term - e.g. walk everywhere vs have a chauffer drive you everywhere.

        • Surfer Dude on 14/07/2020 - 11:31
          -1

          Thanks for your input ihbh, I'm looking to outsource a repetitive, mandatory unfulfilling everyday task. If I can do this successfully it then allows for more time to continue to pursue other interests (reading, studying, working etc).

      • iDroid on 14/07/2020 - 10:32
        +1

        I think you owe it to your self to cook for yourself. It's the best way to eat healthy and it can be enjoyable.

        Like any activity that has a creative element, if you find a way to enjoy cooking and start experimenting, it can become more enjoyable and not a laborious task.

        You sound like someone who likes to be a "high achiever". Treat cooking like the other things to apply your self to.

        There's some great feelings for mastering that crispy pork belly crunch each time. Pulling apart the succulent slow roasted lamb shoulder. Pulling out the fluffiest Yorkshire puddings. All of which take little 'effort' cooking and cook themselves. It rarely feels like work when treating it like a challenge to perfect each meal.

        If you feel lost in the kitchen, there's a significant amount of dedicated youtube cooking channels, there is never an excuse for how or what to cook (unless ingredients is unobtainable!), we can all cook like masters if we put some effort in.

        • Surfer Dude on 14/07/2020 - 11:35
          +1

          Thanks mate, we can definitely try and cook every meal to make it an amazing culinary experience but that's a lot more time than I'm willing to spend on the everyday cooking. As stated above I'm happy to spend my free time experimenting and practicing more complex & time consuming dishes on the weekends (if that is what I choose to spend my free time doing), but don't went to do that on weekdays.

    • Ajax45 on 13/07/2020 - 22:45
      +7

      What a terrible comment. Making a ton of assumptions about OP because they have the disposable income to not want to cook their own food.

      Do you bag on every single person who has cleaners come to their house as well?

      It's not about time management, some people just want the extra time they would have spent cleaning or cooking to do other things and if you can afford it, why the (profanity) wouldn't you?

      • 91rs on 14/07/2020 - 11:46
        +1

        I laugh at people with no kids or 1 or 2 kids who have cleaners come in a couple times a week, don't work long hours and can WFH so there is sooo much less stress than many who do an hour or more each way in commute + a 8am-6pm day, cook, clean and feed families.
        Mostly it's lazy people who have poor time management skills who blame it on wanting to turn it in to "quality time" when their spouse or kids will just be on a phone or tablet anyway.
        If you're in a high stress very long hour job (7am-10pm daily) and struggle to get things done or the other partner can't keep up or wants help to cover off some of the tasks with a family (2-3+ kids, washing and folding and tidying) that makes sense.
        That doesn't exactly sound like OP.

    • Krankite on 14/07/2020 - 07:54
      +1

      Unless this family is looking for two extra members at meal time I'm not sure how this is relevant.

      It's clear OP has decided to spend more time working than at home. Give them the benefit of the doubt that they aren't lazy just spending all tehir energy at there job.

  • jjjaar on 12/07/2020 - 14:45
    +10

    In all honesty, OP, the caterer business has suffered dramatically in COVID. If you are serious, I’d get in touch with some caterers to see if this is something they could do for you. Maybe they could make 2-3 big meals and you can just portion it out and eat it over the week and freeze what’s left?

    I know a few caterers and think this could be something they would maybe cater for in order to keep money coming in. I’m gonna go let them know my suggestion now.

    • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 20:08

      Thanks jjjaar, can you refer anyone if they get back to you?

      I have looked into catering companies, however in my experience they all cook for large groups/events (20+) which is not what I'm after.

      Maybe I need to start searching for people's grandmothers that want to cook for someone ;)

      • jjjaar on 12/07/2020 - 20:22
        +2

        Unfortunately I’m in Melbourne so no one I know could help you out.

        I’d look for local caterers that have only a few staff and that use Instagram to find clients, rather than the big companies.

        Most of them do usually only do events - and will advertise like that - but if you contact them directly and explain the situation, they might want to help as they probably don’t have much work at the moment and haven’t for months.

        • Surfer Dude on 12/07/2020 - 20:25

          Alright, thanks for the advice mate. Good luck with the next 5 weeks of lockdown, stay sate.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/07/2020 - 14:50
    -1

    Completely off topic, but how many utter (profanity) have you come across today?

    [Deactivated] on 12/07/2020 - 14:50 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
  • Hithere on 12/07/2020 - 18:33
    +4

    I hear Gordon Ramsey is looking for work OP.

  • Ezekiel2320 on 12/07/2020 - 21:15
    +2

    Sign up to something like Hello Fresh so then you don't have to meal plan/prep. Take turns, only takes 30 mins to make quick dinner a day

    • samfisher5986 on 13/07/2020 - 09:15
      +5

      The reality is that hello fresh doesn't actually save time and costs a lot more, you can do the same thing buying Coles/Woolies online.

      • Ezekiel2320 on 13/07/2020 - 13:02

        Disagree. My local shops don't sell ingredients in half/quarter/10% sized portions for someone who only needs one meals worth of X. Some people don't want dozens of open bottles of sauces, seasonings and half finished 1KG bags of carrots taking up limited kitchen space

        • samfisher5986 on 13/07/2020 - 14:40
          +1

          I mean, if you live in an apartment so small you have one of those bar fridges, sure a hellofresh box might be your only option, at which point I would question where I was living.

          In the past I've lived by myself for many years and I never had a problem.

          It seems you simply didn't plan or purchase the right thing, you can just buy one carrot if thats all you need, I don't know why you would buy 1KG if you are alone.

          Either way even if you throw out a lot of unused food its still cheaper to buy it from a supermarket, but again, there is no reason to throw out food if you are alone, you just need to purchase the right quantity's.

          • tomsco on 13/07/2020 - 14:56
            +2

            @samfisher5986:

            you can just buy one carrot if thats all you need, I don't know why you would buy 1KG if you are alone.

            I feel like I'm watching a British comedy.

          • Ezekiel2320 on 13/07/2020 - 15:02

            @samfisher5986:

            It seems you simply didn't plan or purchase the right thing

            Sign up to something like Hello Fresh so then you don't have to meal plan/prep.

            Thank you for finally agreeing with my point

            • samfisher5986 on 13/07/2020 - 15:07
              +1

              @Ezekiel2320: Actually, you'll find that you are wrong, hand in your ozbargain membership! :P

              If you don't want to meal plan, you simply need to go to the Coles or Woolworths website, click "Bundles" (Coles) or Recipes (Woolworths) and then click "add all' on any recipe that you like the look of. This is just like how Hellofresh and others work if you want to customise what you get.

              You can easily modify the portions for most recipes if you are just one person.

              Also as someone who has had a few free hellofresh boxes its not prep free, and even requires you do buy supermarket items. Even some of the other companies who do precut some items, it barely saves much time as you won't get your onions and many other things precut.

              You are literally paying twice the price because you don't seem to want to spend 2 minutes choosing some premade recipes, but thats your choice.

  • Lizvsworld on 12/07/2020 - 22:18
    +6

    Do you already have a cleaner/housekeeper? It could be worthwhile looking at hiring one and also adding meal prep to the tasks for the day. If you had a housekeeper 4 times a week for laundry, cleaning etc you could also have them do the prep work for some fresh meal delivery services on that day (chopping the meat and veggies, or doing the bulk of the more time consuming parts) and then you could just do the last moment stir fry of ingredients. Hello fresh, dinnerly, and Marley spoon are good, but sometimes they are more time consuming than they need to be.

    The housekeeper could also cook the whole meal for you, so even if you are reheating it, it’s something that was cooked that day. Plenty of housekeepers have meal prep as part of their tasks.

    You could also look at companies like “I hate cooking”, they come and do all the cooking in your home once a week.

    :)

    • Surfer Dude on 13/07/2020 - 11:26
      +1

      Thanks Liz. We don't have a housekeeper at the moment but this may be an alternative. If housekeeper is only marginally more expensive than a personal chef then this might be the best option.

      • jace88 on 13/07/2020 - 22:28

        I’d be amazed if you had ample time to clean but. It enough time to cook using those ready made kits. I think this suggestion is actually a really good one and given we already pay for cleaning, I wouldn’t be averse to expanding scope to include some meal prep for us or the baby.

  • ThePolarbear on 13/07/2020 - 00:28
    +2

    Hi there,

    If you’re in Sydney, here’s a recommendation.
    https://urbancookingcollective.com/

    Be safe.

    • Surfer Dude on 13/07/2020 - 11:21

      Thanks mate, will check them out

  • samfisher5986 on 13/07/2020 - 09:09
    +13

    Wow, not sure why everyone is attacking OP for asking a valid question.

    I'm in a similar position, the main reason I can't do microwave meals, uber eats etc is that I avoid large amounts of carbs, and those foods are mostly carbs.

    My current plan is to make 2-3 meals a week that can easily reheat, and then do something easy on the other two days.

    Cooking isn't the main issue for us, its the cleaning up afterwards, and I think the problem/regret you'll have with a personal cook is that at that price they won't clean up after themselves.

    And to everyone disagreeing with OP, its about getting more time out of the day to do what you want to do, instead of spending it in the kitchen cooking, and then cleaning. If OP wants to watch more Netflix each day, why not? If you can watch 1-2 hours more Netflix each day, that seems quite worth it (depending on the price of course)

    • tomsco on 13/07/2020 - 15:12
      +1

      Not attacking OP, just suggesting budget seems quite high.

      For example (and I know this isn't necessarily applicable to OP), restaurant near me has a number of salads. Add some grilled chicken and it comes to under $25 a serve. Rib eye with veges and red wine jus would take them up to the $75/day budget.

      Obviously OP is in a much better financial position than I (not a sledge, more praise) that spending $75 a day for 3-4 days a week for one meal is a non-issue.

      • Surfer Dude on 13/07/2020 - 20:50
        +1

        We used to dine out quite a bit but when you do it 3+ nights per week it takes away the magic/serenity of it when you have to get semi-dressed up to go get dinner every second night. Plus when you actually want to have a date night you really gotta step it up to make it feel 'datey' otherwise it's just dinner right?

        Also, restaurants for dinner doesn't solve the 'I need to take food to work' issue, so then we each end up buying brekky/lunch so that will take it over the $300 mark again.

  • Banana on 13/07/2020 - 14:42
    +9

    Don't know why everyone is taking a piss at OP, plenty of young adults have no f*** idea how to cook, they probably dedicated their early lives to something else, everyone has different priorities in life.

    I make it my life goal to make cook as efficiently as possible. I do this full project planning in my head for my meals, identifying slacks and multi-tasks as much as I can. I can whip up simple 2 x stir-frys, a soup and rice in 40 minutes. It takes planning and preps ahead of time.

    If you are keen on eating fresh vegetables, I suggest you pre-wash some on the weekend, dry them using a strainer and just store them in clean containers to be consumed over the week. Steaming or boiling vegetables is super easy and delicious, toss them into pre-made sauce until you're comfortable in making your own sauce. Mix up your vegetables intake with pre-wash lettuce from Colesworth, add a tomato and an avocado, gourmet.

    For your protein intake, mix that up with steaks (those take like 15 minutes on a pan or in an air fryer), chicken breasts (boil them + seasoning, if you take short shower after work you could even do the two together), chicken wings (marinate ahead of time and throw them into the oven for 20 mins), salmon fillets (more expensive, but air-fryer friendly).

    At the same time, rice cooker/pasta/potatoes are steaming/boiling away, choose a carbs you don't need to watch over constantly.

    Cooking is a chore, but it should not to take up most of your life if you have a solid attack plan! Learn how to use an oven/airfryer, steamer and multi-cooker to multi-task.

    • Zephyrus on 13/07/2020 - 22:36
      +6

      Shame is a powerful motivator. Peer pressure is generally good.

      I think the crap they're getting is because they're saying "How do I pay someone to do this for me?", rather than identifying that they are missing this key life skill and trying to rectify it.

      • Ajax45 on 13/07/2020 - 22:52
        +1

        What lmao

        Do you think OP literally does not know how to cook?

        Heaps of people are "buying time" nowadays (maybe not this year) and plenty pay for cleaners, gardeners etc. to come round so they don't have to spend time doing things they don't want to do i.e. cleaning. They clearly have the disposable income to do so, why slag them off for it? There's a reason these services are so popular.

        The crap they're getting is because people on here are literally just envious they can't afford the same or enjoy bagging on people.

      • Banana on 14/07/2020 - 00:18
        +2

        I think the crap they're getting is because they're saying "How do I pay someone to do this for me?", rather than identifying that they are missing this key life skill and trying to rectify it.

        For some people, cooking is not core to their lives and if they could outsource it so they have more time to focus on whatever else they deem more important, why wouldn't they? It's 2020, it's about living efficiently and effectively.

    • Maz78 on 14/07/2020 - 09:26
      +1

      "Don't know why everyone is taking a piss at OP, plenty of young adults have no f*** idea how to cook, they probably dedicated their early lives to something else"

      Yeah - Pissfarting around on TikTok and Instagram…

      Op might have the money for a "chef" or whatnot, but comes across like a sook. (Works 8-6) whoopdeedoodah. No kids, hasn't mentioned anything else taking up their time.
      Cooking doesn't have to be a chore. It should be a lifelong skill. (Even for a few enjoyable / basic meals).

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