Cafe World Cooking Academy Requirements: Everything you need to know

It's been advertised on the game's loading screen (like that seen above) for some time now, but finally, Zynga has officially launched the Cooking Academy in Cafe World. However, before you can join, and eventually graduate from the Cooking Academy, you'll need to first complete a series of missions that prove your worth to the virtual Chef Matty, your guide through this feature.

Meet us behind the break for everything you need to know concerning these preliminary tasks.

To start this mission off, you'll need to watch for Chef Matty to enter your Cafe, and click on the very large tan letter that appears above his head. This will allow you to accept the introductory missions.

The series of Academy tasks will appear in the top right corner of the gameplay area, where all of the traditional quests and jobs go. The first job is called "1st Referral," and it asks you to Get 3 Referrals (simply serve three customers) and prepare 1 Spitfire Roasted Chicken (a dish that takes a day to cook - but remember, you can use spices to speed this up).

The reward for completing this step is 25 coins and 10 Cafe Points. You'll be able to share coins with your friends as a bonus.

The second quest is called "Build your Spice Rack," and it asks you to simply start building your Spice Rack. As many users will have already completed this step, however, you'll be able to pass the mission simply by clicking on the Spices icon in your menu at the bottom of the gameplay area. Close the spice menu that appears and voila, the quest will pop and you will receive 25 coins and 20 Cafe Points as a reward (again, the bonus for friends is free coins).

The third quest is called "2nd Referral" and it asks you to visit 1 neighbor and complete 2 Eat Missions. This means that you'll need to visit two neighbors and click on the small blue stick figure that appears on the right side of your neighbor's cafe (he's holding a fork and spoon) and "eat" that friend's daily special dish by clicking on the "Yes" button in the menu that appears. The reward for this mission is 50 coins and 25 Cafe Points.

Once you have completed this mission, head back to your Cafe, and accept another letter from Chef Matty. Your application is going smoothly so far, but he needs one more referral before he can accept you into the Cooking Academy. This means one more quest is coming your way.

Don't worry though, this quest is just as simple as all of the others (so long as you've already finished your Spice Rack), as it asks you to do just that - finish your Spice Rack, and then Spice 5 of your neighbors' dishes. If you've already completed the Spice Rack previously, this step will be checked for your automatically. The reward for this final quest is 100 coins and 25 Cafe Points.

Head back to your Cafe once more, and you'll receive yet another letter from Chef Matty. He congratulates you, as he has approved your application to the Cooking Academy!

We'll bring you more coverage about the Cooking Academy and all of the spoils available therein in the near future.

Cafe World Cooking Academy Dark Blue Cravat Missions: Everything you need to know

Yesterday, we brought you a detailed look at the Cooking Academy entry missions in Cafe World - those missions that you must complete in order to have your application into this new Academy (in-game feature) accepted.

After you complete that series of missions, you are given another letter by Chef Matty, congratulating you on your acceptance into the Academy, and introducing you to the concept of a "Cravat," a neck tie that chefs wear to keep themselves cool in a hot kitchen. The Cravat is a status symbol, with the color of the fabric representing how much experience you have with cooking. Of course, as a new student in the Cooking Academy, you'll need a Cravat (new students receive one of a Dark Blue color) so a new series of missions are opened for you to earn one for yourself.

Meet us after the break for details on how to earn your own Dark Blue Cravat.

The Cravat missions are a pair of tasks that will have you further preparing to join the Academy by helping you to look the part. The first mission is called "Spice it up," and it asks you to Serve White Radish Cake 12 times, and spice 4 Dishes. The White Radish Cake will take a full day to cook normally (that is, without adding spices or putting it on a faster Lightning Stove). Meanwhile, you can easily complete the spicing portion of this mission by applying Power Pepper or Super Salt to four dishes (the same dish can be spiced more than once to count, if you're lacking in dishes), as most players have an overabundance of these at their disposal.

The rewards for this mission are 25 Cafe Points and 1000 coins. This also unlocks the second mission in the series, which is called "Spruce up your Cafe." This mission has more steps, which might be fairly expensive, depending on the choices you make to complete them. The mission asks you to purchase 3 Decor items, Purchase 10 Wall Tiles, and Purchase 20 Wall Tiles. As a note, you must purchase the items, as simply pulling items out of your inventory does not count.

The rewards for this second mission are 25 Cafe Points and 100 coins. After passing both of these missions, you'll receive your final letter (as of this writing) from Chef Matty, congratulating you on earning your Dark Blue Cravat. He'll tell you that two more colors are available, starting with the Light Blue Cravat, which will eventually open up a new quest set.

We'll be sure to let you know what these new quests entail in the future, so keep checking back with us!

Cafe World Maxwell House Coffee Promotion: Win 50,000 Cafe Cash for brewing a cup!

This month, Zynga has launched a new cross-promotional activity and contest in Cafe World with Maxwell House coffee. The event is called the "Maxwell House Coffee Challenge," and it will only be available for the next 10 days.

Within that time, all users that master the Maxwell House Coffee and "Cafe Style Beverages" from their Coffee Machine will be entered to win a grand prize of 50,000 Cafe Cash! With the current rate of exchange on purchasing Cafe Cash (some Cafe Cash packages are 15% off), this equates to a prize currently valued at just over $5,400 US! Yes, that's 5 thousand dollars! The winner of this prize would be able to splurge on any new premium item they could ever want, and make their Cafe the star attraction for all of their friends to visit!

If you don't win the Grand Prize, there are still plenty of other goodies up for grabs, as 100 Chefs will win 10 Lightning Super Stoves (a valuable prize in its own right), and 100 other Chefs will win a Limited Edition decorative item in the form of a Maxwell House Coffee Maker.

The drinks necessary to master are found in the Coffee Machine under the new "Maxwell House" tab. There are four drinks to master, with energy costs ranging from 12 to 43 Energy per brew. Even though they may be pricey, you've got more than a week to earn yourself a place in this contest, so brew your guests a cup (or 10) soon to make the most of this event!

Halloween Guide for FarmVille, The Sims Social, CityVille & more

Folks, Halloween is so underrated. Not only does it kick off the holiday season, but Halloween is an excuse for all of us to dress up, eat tons of candy, carve pumpkins, and watch scary movies. In addition, Halloween has infiltrated all our favorite Facebook games. FarmVille, The Sims Social, and CityVille have all received special Halloween promotions, Halloween items, and new Halloween features.

And that's just the beginning. Expect to see more Halloween-themed goodies from the other Facebook games right here. Check out our entire Halloween Guide below.

More recent Halloween updates appear at the top of each game list.
FarmVille Halloween | CityVille Halloween | The Sims Social Halloween
Pioneer Trail Halloween | Empires & Allies Halloween | Angry Birds Halloween
Cafe World Halloween | Other Halloween Updates


farmville halloween
FarmVille Halloween

    FarmVille Mystery Game (10/30/11): Halloween items take a final stand
    FarmVille Trick or Treat Goals: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Trick or Treat: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Halloween Items: Witch Costume, Halloween Candle Tree and more
    FarmVille Lighthouse Cove Pirate Bonus Goals: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Halloween Items: Black Cat Fence, Pumpkin Fountain and more
    FarmVille Lighthouse Cove Halloween Pirate Goals: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Huge Jack-O'Lantern Goals: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Halloween Items: Dark Peach Tree, Black Guinea Pig and more
    FarmVille Huge Jack-O'Lantern: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Lighthouse Cove Ghost Bonus Challenges: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Halloween Items: Black Mini Unicorn, Haunted Farm House and more
    FarmVille Lighthouse Cove Ghost Goals: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille: Plant Black Tulips for Halloween
    FarmVille Count Duckula's Castle Goals: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Halloween Items: Cookie Tree, Pumpkin Snowman, Mad Scientist Lab and more
    FarmVille Count Duckula's Castle: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Halloween Items: Zombie Gnome, Bat Dog, Mossy Tree and more
    FarmVille: Free Skeleton Cow making the rounds
    FarmVille Halloween Items: Dark Apple Tree, Batwing Horse, Bat Pumpkin and more
    FarmVille Halloween Items: Nightmare Unicorn, Fire Peach Tree and more
    FarmVille: Halloween Black Belgian horse available for coins
    FarmVille Halloween Model Farm offers free Arborists and more
    FarmVille Halloween items: Candy Corn Tree, Halloween Cottage, Jack-O'-Lantern and more



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CityVille Halloween

    CityVille Energy Ghosts: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Plagued Playground Community Building: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Haunted Library Community Building: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Halloween Monsters Act 3 Goals: Everything you need to know
    CityVille: More Halloween homes, decorations and community buildings hit the store
    CityVille Halloween Sweet Tooth Goal: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Demented Dentist Community Building: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Halloween Act 2 Goals made easier with smaller requirements
    CityVille: Crypt Keeper's Crib added to Halloween extravaganza
    CityVille Treats 'N Sweets Booth: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Zombie ER: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Tree of Enchantment: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Haunted Hotel: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Halloween Monster Mystery Game: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Forsaken Fortress helps you finish goals for a price
    CityVille's Halloween Decorating Contest offers big rewards for big scares
    CityVille Mausoleum Community Building: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Halloween Meet the Monsters Goals: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Halloween Monsters: Everything you need to know
    CityVille Governor's Run Vampire Goals: Everything you need to know
    CityVille: Halloween Monster Ship shows up in city waters
    CityVille Hometown Halloween update gives your city the spooky touch



the sims social halloween
The Sims Social Halloween

    The Sims Social sets a spine-chilling scene with new Halloween images
    The Sims Social Haunted House Week items punish friends' pranks
    The Sims Social finally gets spooky in The Ultimate Horror Movie Week
    The Sims Social celebrates Halloween with Werewolves vs Vampires week



frontierville pioneer trail halloween
FrontierVille Pioneer Trail Halloween

    Pioneer Trail Ghost Town: Purchase limited edition items for a free Ghostly Horse
    Pioneer Trail Halloween on the Homestead Contest: Walk away with 2,000 Horseshoes!
    Pioneer Trail Trick or Treat Goals: Everything you need to know
    Pioneer Trail Spook Shack: Everything you need to know
    Pioneer Trail Haunted Homestead: Everything you need to know
    Pioneer Trail Family Secret Goals: Everything you need to know
    Pioneer Trail Halloween Store: Stock up on scary supplies in one place
    Pioneer Trail Halloween Hutch: Everything you need to know
    Pioneer Trail Ghost Town Haunted Garden: Everything you need to know
    Pioneer Trail Ghost Town Giant Cauldron: Everything you need to know
    Pioneer Trail Ghost Town Goals: Everything you need to know
    Pioneer Trail Ghost Town feature coming soon [Video]



empires allies halloween
Empires & Allies Halloween

    Empires & Allies: Halloween items now available in the store



angry birds halloween
Angry Birds Halloween

    Angry Birds Halloween horror movie spoof channels Hitchcock [Video]
    Angry Birds Seasons Halloween update means a new bird is in town
    Something is a brewin' for the Angry Birds this Halloween [Video]



cafe world halloween
Cafe World Halloween

    Cafe World Trick or Treat Party Catering Order: Everything you need to know
    Cafe World Witch's Cauldron: Everything you need to know
    Cafe World Halloween Siggy's Tricks Goals: Everything you need to know
    Cafe World Halloween Amelia's Treats Goals: Everything you need to know
    Cafe World Halloween Candy Bowl - Everything you need to know



Other Halloween Game Updates

    The Top Five Spooky Facebook Games to Play Halloween Night
    Adventure World Creepy Crypt Expedition: Everything you need to know
    Adventure World Halloween Sneak Peek: Halloween Volcano coming soon
    Nexon's next social game, Zombie Misfits, looks for brains on Facebook
    Meteor Games makes Island Paradise an island terror for Halloween
    PopCap says 'Happy Halloween' with pumpkins, zombies and ... a rave?
    The Killer Pumpkin assaults Pocket God on Facebook this Halloween



Make sure to check back for more Halloween Facebook game updates! Which Halloween update was your favorite? Vote here!

Thanksgiving Guide: FarmVille, Pioneer Trail, The Sims Social & More

Next up in the holiday 2011 lineup is Thanksgiving! Hot on Halloween's heels, this festive feast holiday brings on the brisk weather and kicks off that cozy winter feeling. But family bonding and delicious food aren't all Thanksgiving 2011 has to offer. As usual, Thanksgiving items are appearing in all your favorite Facebook games such as FarmVille, Pioneer Trail, The Sims Social, and more! So to see all the latest Thanksgiving updates, features, and goodies; check out our complete Thanksgiving Guide for FarmVille, Pioneer Trail, The Sims Social, and more below!

Make sure to check out the Ultimate Black Friday Deal Guide for social & casual gamers.

Jump to:
FarmVille Thanksgiving | Pioneer Trail Thanksgiving
Cafe World Thanksgiving | CityVille Thanksgiving
Other Thanksgiving Updates

FarmVille Thanksgiving

    FarmVille: Double Mastery on now for Thanksgiving celebration
    FarmVille Mystery Game (11/20/11): Thanksgiving animals and decorations celebrate Turkey Day
    FarmVille Thanksgiving Items: Sheep Balloon, Pilgrim Chicken and more
    FarmVille Harvest Bonfire Goals: Everything you need to now
    FarmVille Harvest Bonfire Thanksgiving Basket: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Lighthouse Cove Thanksgiving Goals: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille: Purchase a Zynga Game Card from 7-Eleven, receive Cornucopia Home
    FarmVille Harvest Hoedown Goals: Everything you need to know
    FarmVille Harvest Hoedown: Everything you need to know



FrontierVille Pioneer Trail Thanksgiving

    Pioneer Trail Thanksgiving Animal Collection: Collect feathers for six new animals
    Pioneer Trail Gravy Train Meals: Everything you need to know
    Pioneer Trail Thanksgiving Feast: Everything you need to know



cafe world thanksgiving
Cafe World

    Cafe World Fall Feast Event: Everything you need to know



cityville thanksgiving
CityVille

    CityVille Harvest Festival Timed Goal: Everything you need to know



The Sims Social Thanksgiving

    Coming Soon



facebook games thanksgiving
Other Thanksgiving Updates

    Turkeys go on Thanksgiving vacay in Island Paradise, or do they?
    Black Friday doorbusters: Coming to an online game near you?
    Empires & Allies Turkey Turmoil Mini Series: Everything you need to know
    Gardens of Time celebrates Thanksgiving with three premium scenes
    Forget the Black Friday rush, give the gift of Zynga stock [Report]



Which is your favorite Thanksgiving update?

Cafe World Red Phone Booth Goals: Everything you need to know

While we all have plenty of goals on our plate in Cafe World right now, what with the release of not one, but two five-part goal series dealing with the game's two-year anniversary, there's another goal series to complete concerning a Red Phone Booth. To be fair, this trio of goals deals with the two-year anniversary event itself, in that it will give you a bonus on all of the Travel Passes you earn. Remember, collecting more Travel Passes gives you a better opportunity of earning prizes both in-game (stoves and the like) and in the real world (trips to exotic locales). Here's a complete look at the Red Phone Booth goals.

Also, this is another case where the dishes you're asked to serve will likely vary from those listed here. It is impossible for us to predict which dishes each individual user will be required to cook, but for that we apologize.

Phone a Friend 1

    * Place Red Phone Booth
    * Serve 12 Biscuits of Tomorrow
    * Call 3 Friends from your Phone Booth


Luckily, even though the Red Phone Booth is an item we'll place in our cafes, it doesn't need to be built like other items. Instead, you'll be able to look inside it and post messages ("phone calls") to your friends' walls. If they agree to be your Travel Buddy (it looks like you can collect 30 Travel Buddies in all), you'll earn points. As you earn Travel Buddies, you'll unlock items, as seen below:

3 Travel Buddies: Crispy Egg Rolls
6 Travel Buddies: Ivory Lightning Stove
10 Travel Buddies: Pineapple Cake
15 Travel Buddies: Double Travel Passes

Phone a Friend 2

    * Call 6 Friends from your Phone Booth
    * Spice 10 Neighbors' Stoves
    * Serve 10 Napoleon's Napoleon


Remember, if you want to rush your way through this goal series to get back to the main two-year anniversary goals, you can use spices on your own dishes to make them cook faster. You can also check out your Gift Box to make sure you don't have extra servings lying around that you can use to instantly skip any cooking time here.

Phone a Friend 3

    * Call 10 Friends from your Phone Booth
    * Spice 10 Neighbors' Stoves
    * Serve 15 Basil Finger Sandwiches


Again, this goal is fairly self-explanatory; just head inside your Red Phone Booth to post messages to your friends' walls, thus fulfilling the "call" task, and you'll be able to finish this one off basically in the time it takes to cook the dish you're required to. After that's done, you'll be able to celebrate by (hopefully) unlocking the double Travel Passes boost in your cafe, and can go back to completing tasks in the two-year anniversary event. Happy Cooking!


What do you think of these Red Phone Booth goals? Do you think they have a real purpose, or should the Phone Booth have been released without them? Sound off in the comments.

Cafe World High Tea Party Catering Order: Everything you need to know

Last week, we brought you a rundown of the British section of festivities taking place in Cafe World as part of the game's two-year-anniversary event. At the time, something was always missing from that equation (the catering order), but now, the Catering Order has officially been launched. Are you ready for high tea?

The High Tea Party catering order has a three day time limit, and isn't exactly easy. You'll be required to serve Yorkshire Pudding 500 times, Shepherd's Pie 30 times and Bangers and Mash 120 times. Do those recipes look familiar? They should, as they're part of the prize list that can be earned by completing the Winston's Royals goals in the game. However, you'll need to complete these goals multiple times to unlock all of the prizes associated with this event, so I can only imagine just how few chefs actually have all three of these dishes available to cook/serve. Luckily, you can bring 18 of your friends in on this order with you, so hopefully a few of them can take care of most of (if not all of) the cooking for you. Just remember to say thank you with free gifts!

On top of all of this, you'll need to collect 12 Fancy Hats and 12 Food Trays by sending out individual request to friends. If you can complete all of these tasks in under three days' time, you'll receive the three-star rating, 12 Catering Points, 3,200 Cafe Points, 70,000 coins and the 2-Year Anniversary cake recipe.

Unfortunately, you must finish in under three days in order to walk away with this new recipe. If you can't manage to do that, but still finish within five days (I have to admit that still sounds like it would be hard), you'll receive two stars, 8 Catering Points, 2,300 Cafe Points and 50,000 coins. Finally, if you finish at any point after the fifth day, you'll receive just a single star, 4 Catering Points, 1,400 Cafe Points and 30,000 coins.

As an extra bonus (since this catering order goes along with the two-year-anniversary event), if you can finish with three stars, you'll also walk away with 10,000 free Travel Passes, which are used to enter yourself (automatically) into contests for in-game prizes like stoves, but also real world trips around the world! Good luck to all those who enter, along with all those who tackle this High Tea Party catering order itself.

What do you think of this High Tea Party order? Have you unlocked all three of these dishes in your own cookbook, or are you being forced to rely on your friends to finish this one in time? Sound off in the comments.