Cooking...?

Question

I want to know at what age you started learning to cook (making tea or coffee does not count) and did someone teach you or did you self learn? Both men and women's answers are welcome.

Answer 1

My mother started teaching us when we turned 8 or at least tall enough to use the counter. We started on basics like rice, pasta, and the cooking terms so we would be able to follow a recipe. I took to cooking more than my siblings so I would experiment and learned to cook pretty quickly and easily without much help from mom. I always had supervision until I was about 12 yrs old but by then I could do entire meals alone. My siblings, however, just didn't enjoy cooking all that much and it took a lot longer for them. I started teaching my kids the same way. My son enjoys it more than my daughter and is better at it than her. He can cook anything with a recipe but isn't much into experimenting but I won't have to worry about him starving when he goes off to college in a couple of years. My daughter didn't really get interested until she got married but now she's kind of catching the vision.

Answer 2

I learned at a very young age, like 5 or 6. I also took classes and was a member of 4H, which continued my education. I, however, became the family cook at the age of 14 when my dad got divorced and I was the only female. (I still haven't figured out why my genitals made ME the cook)

Over the years I have taken classes and of course, being the female, in most relationships I was relegated to the status of "cook."

So it's been practice and necessity that shaped my cooking "career."

But it would be so nice if someone else that lived in the house would plan the grocery budget, tailored around available equipment and money, did the shopping and got up and made something to eat and cleaned up afterward without being prompted. An elusive dream.

I don't dare tell anyone I know how to change a tire!!

Peace.

Answer 3

My mother is a terrible terrible cook! I started learning to cook - I mean really cook at about 18 when I moved out on my own. I taught myself everything. Get really great cook books and experiment. I love to cook, but I like it even better when there is someone to cook for or with.

Answer 4

I started when I was 6 or 7. Not making huge dinners, but learning how to cook and doing easy stuff. My mom taught me everything I know.

Answer 5

I learned when I was about 12. We had a big family. 7 kids ...once in a while my mom would take a break and go home leaving me in charge. It may have only been spaghetti or macaroni and cheese...and on a good day I could broil a mean chicken breast, but I was cooking at 12.

Answer 6

I started teaching myself out of the Fannie Farmer cookbook when I was 17, and discovered I love to cook.

Answer 7

My mother (bless her soul) didn't like me in the kitchen, although she let me make a couple dinners. It wasn't until I was on my own at about 20 years old that I had to figure it out on my own.

Turns out I was good at it and ended up owning a restaurant!

Answer 8

I got taught a few things but it was mostly learned through trial and error, and a few TV food shows!

Answer 9

i first started to learn to cook when i was about 7 or 8, maybe younger, when me and my mum made fairy cakes

Answer 10

i started at home when i wae 5/6, then in secondary school. then on to catering college.