In the world of OSRS, one of the most essential and rewarding skills to master is cooking. From preparing delicious meals to brewing powerful potions, your culinary expertise plays a significant role in your character’s journey. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to reach 99 Cooking, the highest level attainable, and unlock a variety of benefits along the way. So, let’s fire up the stove and embark on this culinary adventure!
The Basics of Cooking
Before we delve into the specifics of reaching 99 Cooking, let’s start with the fundamentals. Cooking in OSRS involves using raw ingredients to create various types of food, which can then be consumed to restore health or gain other beneficial effects. Here are the basics:
- Obtaining Raw Ingredients: To begin your cooking journey, you’ll need raw ingredients. These can be obtained through various means, including fishing, hunting, or purchasing them from other players. Common ingredients include raw fish, raw meat, and vegetables.
- Cooking Utensils: You’ll need the appropriate cooking utensil to start cooking. The most commonly used items are a range or a fire, which can be found in various locations throughout Gielinor. Certain quests and activities can also provide access to more specialized cooking equipment.
- Cooking Process: Once you have the raw ingredients and the necessary utensils, use the raw item on the range or fire to begin cooking. A successful attempt will yield a cooked food item. The higher your Cooking level, the less likely you are to burn your food.
The Road to 99 Cooking
Now that you understand the basics of cooking, let’s discuss how to reach 99 Cooking efficiently. Reaching this milestone requires dedication and patience, but the rewards are well worth it. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Starting Out (Levels 1-30)
Your cooking journey begins at level 1. At this level, the best approach is to cook basic items like shrimp or anchovies, as they have a very low burn rate. You can do this at a range in Lumbridge or any other nearby location. As you progress to level 15, switch to cooking trout, which is also relatively easy to cook without burning.
2. The Power of Wines (Levels 30-68)
Once you reach level 30, you can begin cooking wines like jugs of wine. This method offers decent experience rates and is cost-effective. Wines have a low burn rate and can be obtained by filling empty jugs with water and adding grapes.
3. Lobsters and Swordfish (Levels 68-80)
When you hit level 68, it’s time to switch to lobsters and swordfish. These higher-level fish provide excellent experience and are relatively affordable. You can find fishing spots for these in various locations across the game world. Cook them on a range or fire to maximize your experience gains.
4. Sharks and Beyond (Levels 80-99)
Once you reach level 80, you can start cooking sharks. Sharks offer excellent experience per cooked item, making them a popular choice for skillers aiming for 99 Cooking. However, they are more expensive than previous options, so consider your budget when choosing this method.
Alternative Training Methods
While the methods mentioned above are some of the most common ways to train Cooking, there are alternative methods that you can explore:
- Cooking Gauntlets: Completing the “Family Crest” quest and obtaining cooking gauntlets can reduce the burn rate of fish, making it easier to cook higher-level fish at lower levels.
- Cooking Diaries: Completing the various tasks in the Karamja, Ardougne, and Varrock diaries will grant experience boosts and other benefits that can aid in your Cooking journey.
Money-Making Potential
As you progress through the Cooking skill, you may notice that certain cooked items can be sold for a profit. Here are a few options for making money through cooking:
- Wines: Wines can be a profitable choice, especially if you are making your own jugs of wine. The high demand for wines in OSRS can result in a steady income.
- Pies: Cooking various pies, such as the summer pie or the wild pie, can yield a profit due to their use in quests and activities.
- Sharks: Cooking sharks, while expensive to buy raw, can still be profitable due to the high demand for these high-healing foods.
Reaching 99 Cooking in Old School RuneScape is a rewarding achievement that not only enhances your character’s capabilities but also opens up opportunities for profit. By following the steps outlined in this guide and choosing the training method that best suits your budget and goals, you can master the flames and become a culinary expert in the world of Gielinor. So, grab your cooking utensils, stock up on ingredients, and start your journey toward 99 Cooking today!