Cooking Simulator 2 Better Together Release Set
Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together is set to launch on Mar 31, 2026, on Steam, bringing expanded co-op cooking, restaurant management and a large set of new content. Developer Big Cheese Studio confirmed the date alongside details about ingredients, recipes and progression systems planned for the full release.
The sequel builds on the original Cooking Simulator with over 200 ingredients, 80 recipes, 30 special skills and perks, and 11 customer groups. A pre-release showcase scheduled for December will share an early look at gameplay systems and new mechanics.
Co-op cooking and restaurant management take center stage
Better Together focuses on shared kitchen play, letting friends run a restaurant side by side. Players manage guests, coordinate tasks and keep orders moving during busy service hours. The game balances fast-paced cooking with longer term restaurant growth.
A Sandbox mode offers a more relaxed space for testing recipes and experimenting with techniques. Players can cook freely, compete in friendly challenges or refine their workflow without the pressure of incoming orders.
The restaurant itself grows with the player. Dining rooms, guest flow and kitchen layout all shape how smoothly service runs. Success depends on teamwork, timing and smart planning during hectic shifts.
Ingredients, recipes and creative freedom
The sequel expands the cooking system with a wide ingredient library and flexible recipe design. Players can combine base recipes, adjust flavors and build original dishes using more than 200 ingredients. If you enjoy cooking mechanics in games, check out GNL Magazine’s Beginner’s Guide to Cooking in Throne and Liberty
Every step of food preparation matters. Chopping, slicing and blending affect how meals come together and how customers respond. Managing guest moods and expectations adds another layer of strategy, pushing players to balance speed with presentation.
This system supports experimentation and rewards chefs who learn how different components work together. Creative combinations can turn a simple kitchen into a standout dining destination.
Skills and progression shape your chef career
Progression in Cooking Simulator 2 centers on professional growth. Players unlock 30 special skills and perks that directly affect gameplay. Abilities include calming impatient customers to gain extra prep time and using thermal vision to monitor cooking temperatures.
Guidance comes from the fictional culinary institution Concorde Culinaire, which assigns challenges and awards mastery badges. These milestones track improvement and open new opportunities as players refine their approach.
Starting with basic techniques, chefs gradually gain access to advanced tools and strategies. Each upgrade supports more complex dishes and smoother restaurant operations.
Customization and life outside the kitchen
Between shifts, players return to a personal apartment space that supports practice and planning. This area lets chefs test ideas, improve techniques and prepare for future services.
Character customization adds personality to the experience. Hairstyles, outfits and tattoos allow players to shape a chef’s identity that matches their style. In co-op sessions, teammates can celebrate wins with expressive animations and playful moments after a successful shift.
Kitchen chaos also plays a role. Players can release stress in exaggerated ways, turning mistakes and accidents into part of the fun while learning to manage pressure during service.
Cooking Simulator 2: Better Together aims to expand cooperative cooking and restaurant strategy when it arrives Mar 31, 2026. Players interested in running a virtual kitchen with friends can wishlist Cooking Simulator 2 Steam and follow updates from Big Cheese Studio to stay informed as launch approaches.