For some, like Xia Lu (not her real name), the on-demand chef role has evolved from a side hustle to a full-time profession. Burned out from long working hours, the 27-year-old Sichuan native, known by social media followers for her fiery, flavor-packed dishes, quit her job at a foreign-owned company in Beijing in late 2023.

She now charges a minimum of 128 yuan per trip and handles up to three clients per day. While her current monthly income of about 7,000 yuan is lower than her previous job, Xia relishes the spare time it offers her.

"When the weather is good, I go hiking. When it rains, I rest," she says.

For Ding from Wuhan, the momentum is just beginning: "The business not only meets the evolving needs of health-conscious consumers, but also gives passionate cooks like me a meaningful and flexible career path."