How essential is cooking a skill to you? How serious are you about it?

[Louie Detroit]

When I was a kid both my Grandma's showed me cooking tricks and reinforced the idea that men that can cook are sexy and attractive to women.

[GTOguy]

To me, cooking and food are right up there with sex. I am a 'foodie' and delight in preparing, presenting, and eating delicious creative meals. Now that I'm retired, I'm spending more time with dishes that take more prep work and time. Very rewarding.

[slewfoot]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

To me, cooking and food are right up there with sex. I am a 'foodie' and delight in preparing, presenting, and eating delicious creative meals. Now that I'm retired, I'm spending more time with dishes that take more prep work and time. Very rewarding.

Looks like you're getting more of one than the other. Welcome to retirement

[Swany00]

Home economics in the 8th grade was a huge help, my wife does most of the cooking but I do the grilling (having an awesome mom and granny helped a shit ton too)

[slewfoot]

Been cooking, baking, sewing, ironing since I was a around 10.

[ZipZap]

I've worked pretty much every front and back line job in some pretty nice restaurants. I hold my own.

[KenHorse]

I've made breakfast every single weekend since my wife beat breast cancer 6 years ago.
(although I do make popovers once in a while too)

[Louie Detroit]

Originally Posted by Swany00

Home economics in the 8th grade was a huge help, my wife does most of the cooking but I do the grilling (having an awesome mom and granny helped a shit ton too)

I took all the Home Ec classes I could in the 8th grade too. People initially called me a fag until they saw the nice leftovers I brought to the next class, and then they took cooking classes. I'd tell them I already know how to change fireplugs, do woodworking, and rebuild a small engine carburetor, time to learn something new, I know I'll have to eat.

[Tikiman]

Started as a hobby for me. Now I do all the cooking and I’m getting pretty good at it.

[Onebadcad]

Unlike many other things as we pass 50, I have become a much better cook.
With that said, I still have MUCH room to grow.

[6spdC6]

I can cook but prefer not to do it that often.

[LATB]

I don't cook, never enjoyed it. Growing up it was always the women who did the cooking/kitchen duties. My mom was 100% Italian and there was almost always something on the stove or in the oven. Fortunately I married a traditional lady who is good in that role.

[Dan47]

I love cooking and surprisingly enough, my wife doesn’t mind cleaning up after me. My BIL is a chef and works in the culinary program for metro community college, so professional help when needed.

Not to say I create culinary masterpieces, I like simple and clean recipes. But my BIL is connected to a bunch of people in the foodie community, including local farmers, so I get to learn and procure a lot of food directly from the producers.

[GTOguy]

Originally Posted by Onebadcad

Unlike many other things as we pass 50, I have become a much better cook.
With that said, I still have MUCH room to grow.

My style is to use really good ingredients that go with each other (like butter and garlic) and good quality fresh meats and produce. And to NOT overcook anything. People that like steak 'well done' or 'medium' or who don't like seafood I don't cook for. They're better off going out for a burger and fries.

Most of my stuff is grilled or pan fried. Very quick, very easy, and very tasty.

[Aerovette]

I don't know any tricks. I'll eat something I like and then see if I can make my own and like it as much. I'll read over a recipe or watch a video and then adjust to my taste. I like cooking. The only thing I cannot cook i Chinese food. I thought I was going to die from the last time I tried. It was that awful.

[Unsuspicious]

I enjoy cooking but I hate cleaning. So my ideal wifey would be a psycho who enjoys cleaning and I would gladly cook. And I've never dated a woman who could cook better than me but that's probably my fault for always choosing the ditzy princess types.

[KenHorse]

Originally Posted by Unsuspicious

I enjoy cooking but I hate cleaning. So my ideal wifey would be a psycho who enjoys cleaning and I would gladly cook.

That's why G-d created dishwashers

[Unsuspicious]

I have a dishwasher I never use. I'm too OCD or something, I just don't think you get clean stuff by squirting water on them. I'd actually like to sell my dishwasher so I can use that space for something else like a trash slideout, but I don't think many people are in the market for a second hand dishwasher since most houses seem to come with them already.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Unsuspicious

I enjoy cooking but I hate cleaning. So my ideal wifey would be a psycho who enjoys cleaning and I would gladly cook. And I've never dated a woman who could cook better than me but that's probably my fault for always choosing the ditzy princess types.

When I adopted the technique of cleaning as I cook/prep, it was an HUGE game changer. By the time I am done and everything is cooking, I have nothing to clean.

[KenHorse]

Originally Posted by Unsuspicious

I have a dishwasher I never use. I'm too OCD or something, I just don't think you get clean stuff by squirting water on them. I'd actually like to sell my dishwasher so I can use that space for something else like a trash slideout, but I don't think many people are in the market for a second hand dishwasher since most houses seem to come with them already.

I've found that the new generation of dishwasher cleaners are amazing. We've been using Cascade Platinum and they do indeed work as claimed (not just hype!)

A quick rinse to get the loose stuff off and throw the plate/pan/pot in the dishwasher and let 'er rip.

Life is so much better now

(Am I a domesticated **** or what?)