# How Good Of A Cook Are You? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 23, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580 "2018-12-23T19:19:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/61 "2018-12-28T04:26:26Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Nice. On past Christmases, I’ve made seafood paella with shrimp, clams, mussels, scallops, and Spanish chorizo, which is always a hit. This year we’re going to a friend’s home for a large group potluck. I’m making a platter of pork and shrimp lumpia with a sweet chili dipping sauce, which may upstage the salmon and ham they’re serving. Years ago _Cook’s Illustrated_ magazine offered a recipe for “weeknight paella,” which included only four easy proteins: chicken thighs, garlic sausage (chorizo or kielbasa), shrimp, and either clams or mussels. It’s fantastic. I love cheap food, too, especially at breakfast. Sorry to say that the great greasy spoon diners and coffee shops of New York are slowly dying out. (Puts on “Eggs and Sausage” from the 1975 live Tom Waits album _Nightwaks at the Diner_) ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/62 "2018-12-28T04:28:17Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SDo1617aXX4/hqdefault.jpg "Tom Waits - Eggs And Sausage (In A Cadillac With Susan Michelson)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDo1617aXX4) ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/63 "2018-12-28T07:34:24Z")
I’m good, but in my area of expertise (Medieval cooking) I’m a pro. As in, people pay money to eat the food I make. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/64 "2018-12-28T18:57:43Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I’m good, but in my area of expertise (Medieval cooking) I’m a pro. As in, people pay money to eat the food I make. Are you the turkey leg cook at Renaissance Festivals? I’ll have to drop by if you circuit through Michigan next year. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2018, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/65 "2018-12-29T14:46:06Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Are you the turkey leg cook at Renaissance Festivals? I’ll have to drop by if you circuit through Michigan next year. Ha Ha. No, I cook _real_ medieval food for catered events, like weddings and office parties, that want \*authenticity \*bragging rights. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/66 "2018-12-29T16:36:51Z")
_Not a professional cook, but my cooking is so good that I could pass for a pro._ Spent some time working in a reaturant’s kitchen, where I held my own (then washed my hands). When I cook for friends I get compliments. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2018, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/67 "2018-12-29T17:07:19Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > God, I WISH I could get good freshwater fish here. I grew up on 1960s Friday Night perch fish frys in Northeast Ohio. I guess that’s proof that no matter where you live, there’s something you can’t get. I would have assumed you could get ANYTHING in NYC. Though you did preface it with “good” - I remember seeing “Lake Superior Whitefish” at Whole Foods when I lived in Boulder. It was a far cry from what I grew up with. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/68 "2018-12-29T21:08:32Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Ha Ha. No, I cook _real_ medieval food for catered events, like weddings and office parties, that want \*authenticity \*bragging rights. I never knew that that niche existed. It sounds rather cool. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2018, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/69 "2018-12-29T21:16:24Z")
It’s a \*very \*limited market, especially where I live. But medieval weddings were a thing for a while… I’ve never done more than 3 events in one year, and nothing (paid, that is, I still do SCA and LARP feasts for myself) for the last 2. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/70 "2018-12-30T00:56:56Z")
I voted other. A cook is well rounded, knows what boil, saute,reduce etc means. I am not a cook, but I can prepare some food. Steaks, burgers, fries, baked potatoes, eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy (tube and pouch)… I microwave hotdogs with the best of em, and I have yet to make a bad ham and cheese sandwich.😃 :p:D ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/71 "2018-12-30T04:28:45Z")
As home cooks go, I’m better than “pretty good.” But “pass for a pro” seems like an overreach. Somewhere in between those two. With the caveat that I only do vegetarian. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/72 "2018-12-30T05:07:37Z")
There is another part of being a good cook. How good are you in the kitchen? No, this is G rated. Clean while you cook. You don’t need 4 measuring cups. Two knifes should do it. That cutting board that you chopped chicken on? Get it under the hot water and scrub it. Before you know it, the oven beeps and things are ready and you haven’t left an after dinner mess. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/73 "2018-12-30T13:08:33Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Clean while you cook. You don’t need 4 measuring cups. Two knifes should do it. That cutting board that you chopped chicken on? Get it under the hot water and scrub it. > > Before you know it, the oven beeps and things are ready and you haven’t left an after dinner mess. Totally my style. My wife always leaves a big mess, though. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/74 "2018-12-30T13:58:57Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > There is another part of being a good cook. > > How good are you in the kitchen? No, this is G rated. > > Clean while you cook. You don’t need 4 measuring cups. Two knifes should do it. That cutting board that you chopped chicken on? Get it under the hot water and scrub it. > > Before you know it, the oven beeps and things are ready and you haven’t left an after dinner mess. Yep, clean as you go and cook mise en place. My gf otoh, destroys the kitchen. We both end up serving great meals, though. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/75 "2018-12-30T15:21:33Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > It’s a \*very \*limited market, especially where I live. But medieval weddings were a thing for a while… I’ve never done more than 3 events in one year, and nothing (paid, that is, I still do SCA and LARP feasts for myself) for the last 2. I had no idea that this was a thing. [This website](http://medievalcookery.com/recipes/) has a lot of recipes, though. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/76 "2018-12-30T15:38:43Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I had no idea that this was a thing. [This website](http://medievalcookery.com/recipes/) has a lot of recipes, though. [A Boke of Gode Cookery](http://www.godecookery.com/godeboke/godeboke.htm) is my go-to, but also period sources, many of which are online. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/77 "2018-12-30T19:11:16Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > There is another part of being a good cook. > > How good are you in the kitchen? No, this is G rated. > > Clean while you cook. You don’t need 4 measuring cups. Two knifes should do it. That cutting board that you chopped chicken on? Get it under the hot water and scrub it. > > Before you know it, the oven beeps and things are ready and you haven’t left an after dinner mess. Cleaning as you go is good, but having other people to clean up after you is even better. 🙂 Before I cook, I always make sure my dishwasher is empty, so that I can just put dirty utensils directly in. I’m usually pretty good at keeping the mess down, so that when I am done, it just requires a few minutes of tidying up, and the kitchen is back to being clean (minus the dirty stuff in the dishwasher, which doesn’t get run until after dinner) ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/78 "2018-12-30T21:48:38Z")
I think I’m getting decent, but I only cook for myself, so who knows what others’d think. Until a year ago, I didn’t really have any facilities for doing more than stuff a frozen pizza in the oven, due to living in a shared house where kitchen space/time was at a premium. Improving my cooking has been one of my major projects and hobbies since I got the space. Sourdough pizza’s been my favourite lately, though I’ve run out of homegrown tomato sauce now (which reminds me- my starter needs some love, I’ve been away for Christmas). I’ve done a bit of waitressing, and used to harass the chef for cooking tips, which helped a lot. In fact, I still do harass him for recipes occasionally, just mostly via the internet now 😃 I’m certainly a better cook than my parents, who know a few old faithful dishes and the rest is awful. Plenty of room for improvement ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2018, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/79 "2018-12-30T22:48:29Z")
I’m a decent home cook. There’s a lot of stuff I do well, some in which I’m exceptional, and a few I don’t touch because I don’t have the knack for it. Having food allergies has prompted me to do a lot of cooking from scratch over the years. No one would mistake me for a pro, but I can feed whoever is under my roof and feed them well. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580/80 "2018-12-31T14:17:35Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Same here. I will tackle any dish that sounds appealing, I understand spicing, and can make soups, stews, stocks and sauces from scratch. I can make a killer burger or a complicated Indian dish; grill a hot dog or make my own Italian sausage; boil a potato or make an elegant seafood paella. People have always told me I should open a restaurant, but I’ve been smart enough not to do so. 😃 Likewise, but I have always said that if I didn’t actually have to worry about making a living at it, I would open a little restaurant with maybe half a dozen tables and an insanely eclectic menu with lots of specials from global cuisines that don’t get enough love in the U.S. (Georgian food, anyone?). Also I’d need to be rich enough to hire a sous chef and a dishwasher. I’ve never actually taken a cooking class, but it would be awesome to have the time and the cash to get some actual professional training. I make a tasty cake, for example, but if I try to decorate it, it often looks like it was done by a six-year-old. And I’m sure that learning actual techniques from an actual pro by observation would be a very different experience than just reading a cookbook for instruction. Maybe when I retire… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-good-of-a-cook-are-you/826580.md?page=5)