How did you learn to cook?

CupOfChai

I don't remember anyone ever officially teaching me to cook, but I've picked it up somehow just from vaguely being around while cooking was happening, watching cooking programmes on TV and copying, and just giving things a go. Just about everyone in my family can cook so maybe it's genetic!


I did food lessons at school (whatever incarnation they were called when I was there) but I think they actually put me off more than anything. Aside from a lot of it being things like designing packaging and costing, which didn't remotely interest me (I only want to make yummy things and eat them!), you didn't really have enough time in the lessons to make a lot of things, so they don't work right and then it puts you off because you tried and what you made wasn't nice. That and one of the teachers I had couldn't cook!

CRANKY40

A mixture of grandmothers, school, recipe books and trial and error. My school lessons were actually quite good. We made things like shepherds pie and apple crumble which always come in useful, as well as cakes, lemon curd and some fancier stuff which I have never made again to this day.

Kaye1

My Mum can't cook.


Taught myself at Uni and then married a chef........


I still do all the cooking though!

kboss2010

I'm another self-taught cook. I went off to uni with a copy of Delia Smith's 'How to Cook 1' and an excellent student cookbook called 'Hard Up and Hungry' by an American ex-pat called Betsy Bell.

Tillytrotter1

Completely self taught here. My Mum hates cooking so she taught me nothing therefore it wasn't until I left home that I developed a real interest in cookery. I love both cooking and baking and love watching cookery shows. I am determined to teach my children a good repertoire of dishes that they'll be able to make by the time they're 11 and my 3 year old currently loves helping me bake, although really needs to practise cracking eggs!!

BachSoon

From my dad (fabulous cook) and I still ask my grandmother for tips every now and then! My partner's mum has also given me loads of yummy vegetarian recipes lately.

darrensurrey

I learnt the hard way that tsp means teaspoon not tablespoon when I was making myself a thai green curry.

:eek:

candygirl

darrensurrey wrote: »

I learnt the hard way that tsp means teaspoon not tablespoon when I was making myself a thai green curry.

:eek:

:rotfl::T:T:T

PenguinOfDeath

Definitely not from my parents, most food came ready done from the freezer or a tin, virtually no fresh veg in the house etc. They also had no idea of portion control and hated waste, hence why I was such a porker as a teen!

I was always interested in good food, however and watched cookery shows to get ideas. The rest comes from self teaching, reading recipes and the encouragement of two very good foodie friends who still inspire me today

meritaten

I find it very sad that there is a whole generation of people who did 'domestic science' or 'food technology' at school - who cant cook! my DD would have been one of them except that I insisted that ALL three of my kids learn the basics. none of them will starve!

I am teaching the grandkids - and they can all make a good omelette both sweet and savoury, scones, fairy cakes and pastry.they can prep veg for a roast dinner and know how to make good coffee in the cafetiere! I think they have it sussed now! but GD3 wants me to teach her 'food presentation'! eeeekkks! I just bung it on the plate - no cheffy 'presentation' at all!