how old when you learned to cook

BritRael

A couple of years ago a 50 year old mate of mine got a book by Ainsley Harriot (the TV chef) called (something like) 20 minute cooking. When I asked Mark how it was going, he proudly announced that he could cook anything in that book...in 3 hours flat!!

Guapa1

I was bought up by my granny, and was helping out in the kitchen for as long as I could remember, and could cook full (Jamaican) Sunday dinners by the age of 11. I'm only learning how to bake now though in my late 20s.

Bitsy_Beans

I can't remember a time when I didn't cook, although most of it was baking. I think the only thing I struggled with was getting timings right when cooking a roast etc but I think more of that was not doing it enough to practice.
I am pleased to say I think I am a better cook than I ever thought I would be.

Debt_Free_Dreamer

I can not remember not cooking. My brother and I would make my parents breakfast in bed too. We must have been nice kids to have.

kunekune

I'm not sure when I started, but by the time I was 12 I was 'hired' out to the older rellies to cook Sunday dinner - I'd do casserole and a hot pudding, Queen of Puddings was favourite. I could make cakes (without a recipe) and bread by that age too. I was a dab hand at scrambled eggs by 11, as I cooked tea for my younger sisters every night. I did a lot of the cooking at home until I was 14, when my mum met a new man, he took over in the kitchen and I wasn't very welcome. I didn't start cooking properly again until I was at uni, but once I got back into the swing of things, I was more adventurous than most, and put on regular dinner parties.

I don't do a lot of cooking with the children though. We had a very small kitchen in the last place, and there wasn't room for two, but we did make muffins a few times. I now have a bigger and better-designed kitchen, and will offer my daughter more opportunities. She does make her own sandwiches when hungry now(she's 7) and is looking forward to making minestrone with me tonight, and perhaps helping to make some pizza bread to go with it (not sure I'm doing that though).

It is hard for us mums working outside the home: even keen cooks like myself find it difficult to involve children. No-one gets home much before 5.30, and I'm not usually here till 6, and we try to eat by 6.45: cooking from scratch in that window is hectic.

Mappygirl

I remenber when I moved out at 17 and had to ring my mom to ask how to make scrambled egg!!!

I've learnt to cook properly and from scratch over the past couple of years with the help of all the lovely people on this forum!

MrsE_2

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

I was 25 when I learnt to cook, my mum didn't cook so didn't teach me

My mum could bake a few bits, but wasn't a great dinner cook, nor did she like it.

For that reason, I learnt at an early age:D

tiddly_widdly

Im 41. I always remember baking etc and made my first main meal for the family 'all on my own' at 10. Ive always loved it. Reading these posts about kids reminded me of when DD1 was 3 (now 15). I was in the living room and I could hear 'ding' 'ding'. I couldnt place the sound but eventually found it in the kitchen, she was stood on a chair in front of the microwave heating milk to make herself a hot chocolate!!
She's never going to live that one down especially as she still loves hot chocolate.

BitterAndTwisted

I like the sound of your little girl, Tiddley: she's obviously the independent, determined type.

penguin83

I am just learning to cook at the grand old age of 25! Not good enough to attempt a roast or anything like that but can now make spag bol, curry and tried beef koftas on Friday night. Still not completely sure what I am doing but getting there, really want to attempt muffins but dont know how hard they will be? x x