How to Unlock Cooking in Animal Crossing: New Horizons: A Culinary Adventure Beyond the Horizon

Animal Crossing: New Horizons has always been a game that thrives on creativity, relaxation, and the joy of building your own little paradise. With the introduction of cooking in the 2.0 update, the game has taken a delicious turn, allowing players to explore the culinary arts alongside their usual island activities. But how do you unlock this savory feature? Let’s dive into the steps and explore the many layers of this delightful addition.
Step 1: Upgrade Resident Services to a Building
Before you can even think about cooking, you need to ensure that your island’s Resident Services has been upgraded from a tent to a building. This is a crucial step as it unlocks many of the game’s advanced features, including the ability to cook. If you’re still operating out of a tent, focus on completing tasks for Tom Nook and increasing your island’s star rating to trigger the upgrade.
Step 2: Reach a 3-Star Island Rating
Cooking is not something you can dive into right away. You’ll need to have a 3-star island rating, which is achieved by beautifying your island, inviting new villagers, and generally making your island a desirable place to live. Isabelle will guide you through this process, offering tips on how to improve your rating. Once you hit that 3-star mark, K.K. Slider will visit your island, and the game will open up new possibilities, including cooking.
Step 3: Purchase the “Be a Chef! DIY Recipes+” Upgrade
Once you’ve achieved a 3-star rating and Resident Services is a fully-fledged building, you’ll need to purchase the “Be a Chef! DIY Recipes+” upgrade from the Nook Stop terminal. This upgrade costs 2,000 Nook Miles and will unlock a variety of cooking recipes that you can start experimenting with. It’s a small price to pay for the culinary adventures that await you.
Step 4: Gather Ingredients
Cooking in Animal Crossing: New Horizons requires ingredients, and these can be found all over your island. You’ll need to fish, catch bugs, and harvest crops to gather the necessary components for your recipes. Some ingredients, like flour and sugar, can be purchased from the Nook’s Cranny store, while others, like fish and fruit, are gathered through your usual island activities. Don’t forget to check the beach for seashells, as some recipes require them as well.
Step 5: Craft Your Kitchen
To start cooking, you’ll need a kitchen. This can be crafted using DIY recipes that are unlocked once you purchase the “Be a Chef! DIY Recipes+” upgrade. The basic kitchen requires materials like wood, iron nuggets, and clay, which are all readily available on your island. Once you’ve crafted your kitchen, you can place it in your home and start experimenting with recipes.
Step 6: Experiment with Recipes
With your kitchen set up and ingredients gathered, it’s time to start cooking! The game offers a wide variety of recipes, from simple dishes like fruit salad to more complex meals like seafood paella. Each recipe requires specific ingredients, so make sure you have everything you need before you start. Cooking not only provides you with delicious meals but also allows you to gift food to your villagers, increasing your friendship levels with them.
Step 7: Expand Your Culinary Horizons
As you progress in the game, you’ll unlock more recipes and ingredients, allowing you to expand your culinary repertoire. You can also visit other players’ islands to trade ingredients and recipes, adding even more variety to your cooking. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things—after all, the joy of cooking in Animal Crossing: New Horizons lies in the creativity and exploration it offers.
Step 8: Host a Cooking Party
Once you’ve mastered the art of cooking, why not host a cooking party on your island? Invite your friends and villagers to join you in preparing and enjoying a feast. It’s a great way to showcase your culinary skills and bring your island community together. Plus, it’s a fun way to celebrate all the hard work you’ve put into your island.
Step 9: Share Your Creations
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is all about sharing and community, and cooking is no exception. Share your favorite recipes with friends, trade ingredients, and even host cooking competitions. The possibilities are endless, and the more you engage with the cooking feature, the more you’ll discover new and exciting ways to enjoy it.
Step 10: Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor
Finally, take a moment to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Cooking in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is not just about the end result—it’s about the journey. From gathering ingredients to experimenting with recipes, every step of the process is a chance to relax, have fun, and express your creativity. So sit back, enjoy a delicious meal, and take pride in the culinary masterpiece you’ve created.
FAQs
Q: Can I cook without a kitchen? A: No, you need a kitchen to cook in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You can craft a basic kitchen using DIY recipes once you’ve unlocked the cooking feature.
Q: Where can I find cooking recipes? A: Cooking recipes can be purchased from the Nook Stop terminal after you’ve unlocked the “Be a Chef! DIY Recipes+” upgrade. You can also find recipes by talking to villagers, completing tasks, and exploring your island.
Q: Can I cook with friends? A: Yes, you can cook with friends by visiting their islands or inviting them to yours. Cooking together is a fun way to share recipes and ingredients, and it’s a great way to bond with your friends in the game.
Q: Are there any special ingredients I should look out for? A: Some recipes require special ingredients that are harder to find, such as rare fish or seasonal items. Keep an eye out for these ingredients as you explore your island and participate in seasonal events.
Q: Can I sell cooked food? A: Yes, you can sell cooked food at Nook’s Cranny for Bells. However, the real joy of cooking lies in sharing your creations with friends and villagers, so consider gifting your dishes instead of selling them.
Cooking in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a delightful addition that adds a new layer of depth and creativity to the game. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and start cooking up a storm on your island paradise!