Types of Indian Cooks You Can Hire: North Indian, South Indian, Jain, Veg, Non-Veg
- Kelvin Madris
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read

Hiring an Indian cook today is not just a luxury—it has become a practical solution for families, professionals, and even NRIs who want healthy, home-style meals without spending hours in the kitchen. India’s diverse culinary traditions also mean you can hire specialized cooks based on your taste preferences, dietary needs, and meal timings. Whether you want classic North Indian gravies, simple South Indian meals, pure Jain food, or a full vegetarian/non-vegetarian menu, there is a perfect cook available for your needs.
This guide explains the main types of Indian cooks you can hire, what skills they bring, and how they add value to your daily life or events.
1. North Indian Cooks — Rich, Flavorful, and Traditional
North Indian food is known for its rich curries, wheat-based breads, and slow-cooked gravies. If you prefer dishes like dal tadka, paneer butter masala, butter chicken, rajma, chole, parathas, or biryanis, a North Indian cook is ideal.
What North Indian cooks specialize in:
Tandoori-style dishes
Creamy gravies (makhani, korma, kadai, masala)
Wheat items: chapati, roti, naan, kulcha
Punjabi, Rajasthani, UP, Delhi-style cooking
Festive and special dishes (kheer, gulab jamun, laddoo)
Who should hire them?
Families craving home-style North Indian food
NRIs who miss traditional meals
People who prefer roti-based meals daily
Households wanting a mix of veg and non-veg dishes
A skilled North Indian cook not only prepares tasty meals but also adjusts the spice levels based on your preference—light, moderate, or authentic dhaba-style.
2. South Indian Cooks — Simple, Healthy, and Balanced
South Indian cuisine is loved worldwide for its simplicity, balance, and nutritional benefits. If you enjoy idli, dosa, sambar, rasam, curd rice, lemon rice, appam, or fish curry, hiring a South Indian cook is a great choice.
Key specialties of South Indian cooks:
Breakfast items: idli, dosa, uttapam, pongal
Traditional meals: sambar, rasam, avial, poriyal, thoran
Karnataka, Tamil, Kerala, Andhra-style dishes
Sea-food and coconut-based gravies (Kerala & Mangalore styles)
Rice-based diets
Who should hire them?
Homes where rice is a major staple
People wanting healthy and low-oil cooking
Elderly families who prefer soft, easy-to-digest meals
Individuals looking for both simple and elaborate South Indian dishes
They prepare meals that are light on the stomach but full of flavour and nutritional balance.
3. Jain Cooks — Pure, Authentic, and Strictly Adhering to Jain Guidelines
Jain cooking is one of the most disciplined and clean forms of Indian cuisine. It excludes root vegetables like onion, garlic, potato, carrot, and beetroot. If you follow a Jain diet or prefer clean sattvic food, hiring a Jain cook is essential.
What Jain cooks offer:
Strict no-onion, no-garlic cooking
Fresh, same-day meal preparation
Light, sattvic dishes
Perfect balance of spices without overpowering flavours
Festival and fasting dishes
Who should hire them?
Strict Jain households
Health-conscious individuals
Homes with elderly people preferring sattvic food
NRIs looking for religiously compliant meals abroad
Jain cooks understand the food restrictions deeply and craft meals that respect religious and cultural values.
4. Vegetarian Indian Cooks — Simple, Wholesome, and Diverse
India is one of the largest vegetarian countries, and veg cooks are always in demand. Whether you want Gujarati, Rajasthani, Maharashtrian, Bengali, or pan-India vegetarian meals, you can hire a dedicated veg cook suited to your cuisine preference.
Specializations of vegetarian cooks:
Daily vegetarian thali
Dal, sabzi, roti, rice combos
Festival and fasting items
Low-oil, diabetic-friendly, and diet-friendly meals
Regional specialties (Gujarati dal, Bengali shukto, Rajasthani gatte ki sabzi, etc.)
Who should hire them?
Pure vegetarian families
PG/hostel setups
Homes with children
NRIs who want homely meals abroad
Households with mixed preferences (veg-only for certain meals)
Veg cooks often have strong hygiene discipline and prepare fresh meals suited for all age groups.
5. Non-Vegetarian Indian Cooks — Flavorful, Protein-Rich, and Skilled in Multi-Cuisine
Non-veg Indian cooks prepare everything from chicken curry, mutton biryani, kebabs, seafood, eggs, and more. Many are also trained in Continental, Mughlai, and Indo-Chinese dishes.
Non-veg cooks typically specialize in:
Chicken curries, tikkas, kebabs
Mutton dishes including biryani, nihari, korma
Fish curries, prawns fry, crab masala (especially from coastal states)
Tandoori and grilled items
High-protein meal prep
Who should hire them?
Families who eat both veg and non-veg
Fitness enthusiasts wanting protein-rich meals
People who host guests often
Corporate guest houses
NRIs looking for authentic Indian non-veg cooking abroad
Non-veg cooks add both restaurant-style and homely flavours depending on your preference.
Which Indian Cook Is Right for You?
Choosing the right type of cook depends on:
Your cuisine preference (North, South, Jain, veg, non-veg)
Daily meal timing (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Number of family members
Special dietary needs
Budget (daily, part-time, full-time, live-in)
If you want a combination (e.g., North Indian lunch + South Indian breakfast), you can also hire multi-cuisine cooks.
Where to Hire Skilled Indian Cooks?
Finding a reliable cook who matches your taste, hygiene expectations, and schedule can be challenging. The easiest method is hiring through a trusted recruitment agency that specializes in domestic helpers and home cooks.
You can explore skilled profiles through: 👉 https://www.alliancerecruitmentagency.com/indian-cooks-for-hire/
They provide verified, trained Indian cooks for homes, NRIs, events, restaurants, and corporate setups.
Final Thoughts
Indian cuisine is incredibly diverse, and so are the cooks who prepare it. Whether you need a North Indian cook for rich gravies, a South Indian cook for everyday healthy meals, a Jain cook for pure sattvic options, or a veg/non-veg specialist, hiring the right professional can transform your food experience.
A good Indian cook brings consistency, hygiene, and taste that fits your lifestyle perfectly. With so many specialized options available, you can easily find one who matches your exact culinary preferences.






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