Cooking is simple once you know the ropes. It often comes naturally to people who enjoy food, because they know what good food tastes like. Here are a few steps to take that will help you become a good cook.

Practice

Let’s face it. The first time you cook any type of meat, fish, or vegetable you will be lucky to execute it properly. For example if you haven’t cooked squid before, you may not realise the cooking time is either 2-3 minutes.. or 2 -3 hours, anything inbetween will turn the squid into rubber.

If you fail with a dish, don’t be afraid to try again. Follow the recipes thoroughly, or even get advice from your local butchers of fishmongers, they will be familiar with every cut of meat or fish.

The trick is not to attempt a new dish when you are trying to impress someone unless you are confident you can pull it off.

Simplicity

The best food is the simple food. This is where good ingredients shine through. Look at any restaurant that receives awards and the message is clear; don’t over complicate your cooking. Keep the number of ingredients to less than 10, some of the world’s best dishes need less than a third of that!

Creativity

Don’t be afraid to be creative and experiment. Start of with the basics, try out which herbs and spices work together. Looking through any cookbook, you fill start to see patterns with meat and herb combinations.

Once you are confident of the basics you can expand, but keep a clear goal in mind of what you want to achieve. Remember the previous point of keeping it simple. Just because you can add a new ingredient and the dish doesn’t taste awful, it doesn’t mean you have improved on it.

Feedback

Not everything you cook is going to be awesome. Listen to feedback and consider it before you fully disagree. Don’t blame your tools and get back in the kitchen to try again.

Enjoy Eating

Last of all, and most importantly; to be a good cook, you must enjoy your food. Sample good cooking and appreciate it. Ask for recipes and techniques. If you enjoy your food, you are already half way to becoming a great chef.