01Part
What Cooking does
Better food, more recipes.
Full guide: cooking.
Cooking skill
Cooking is a crafting skill in Project Zomboid. Better food, more recipes. Checked for Build 42.21, November 2026.
02Part
How to level it
Cook and prepare food. TV and VHS.
| Level | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XP for this level | 75 | 150 | 300 | 750 | 1,500 | 3,000 | 4,500 | 6,000 | 7,500 | 9,000 |
The table shows the XP each level costs for a normal skill. See skills for multipliers.
03Part
Skill books
| Volume | Levels | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Vol 1 | 1 to 2 | Better Burger Flipping |
| Vol 2 | 3 to 4 | Essential Home Cooking Guide |
| Vol 3 | 5 to 6 | Flavorful Cuisine - 1993 Edition |
| Vol 4 | 7 to 8 | Professional Tips from a Master Chef |
| Vol 5 | 9 to 10 | Ruban Vert Gourmet - Complete Cooking Techniques |
04Part
Traits and occupations that start with it
| Occupation | Starting level |
|---|---|
| Chef | +4 |
| Burger Flipper | +2 |
| Trait | Change |
|---|---|
| Keen Cook | +2 |
05Part
Quick answers
What does Cooking do in Project Zomboid?
Better food, more recipes.
How do you level Cooking fast?
Cook and prepare food. TV and VHS.
Are there skill books for Cooking?
Yes, five volumes. Volume 1 is "Better Burger Flipping".
Figures come from our own skills table, which lists its sources. Your game is the final word: if it disagrees with us, tell us and we will fix the page.