Eh, this is probably going to get moved to another board, but what the hax.

Is cooking really seen as a valuable skill in males? To what degree should a man be able to cook - microwave dinners, macaroni and cheese, broiling filet mignon a la bernaise? Or is the only thing a man needs to know about cooking is to find the best little restaurant nearby? If he can cook, how often would he actually be expected to cook?
I might be showing some sexism, here, but in my experience the best meals have always come from the women in my life. I've got a book full of family recipes, but my cookies still can't compare to my grandmother's.

I have to disagree that women make better meals. I am a decent cook but my ex-boyfriend cooked like a chef. Many times I told him that he should become a chef as he was such a good cook.

Food (and the act of feeding someone) should be the highest expression of love that you can give to someone, be it your children or that special someone in your life.

This quote from "The Ramen Girl" sums it all up really ...

"Each bowl of ramen you prepare is a gift to your customer. The food that you serve your customer becomes a part of them. It contains your spirit. That’s why your ramen must be an expression of pure love. A gift from your heart."


The food that you serve becomes a part of them ... Think about that ...

Yes. Nothing sexier than a men who knows how to cook & served breakfast to you in bed. :)

I do like eating in bed...

Men who can cook, I agree, it should be moved to another section, perhaps the jokes and funny story topics would be an appropriate place

My youngest son is an excellent cook. He got his training in the military (air force). He cooks all of our holiday meals and no one can cook a turkey like he can....not even major restaurants.

I never said that I assumed all women made better meals. Just in my personal experience, the better meals have come from women. As far as I know, my grandfather only made ice-cream, but my grandmother was a great cook. (And she got a lot of recipes from both my great-grandmothers.) My mother made great dinners, too... whereas if my father was put in charge of a meal... he boiled hotdogs. Not with buns or condiments, mind you, just the actual sausage. Forgive me if I seemed a little biased.

I know I'm already a step above what my father could do/was willing to do - I can at least make pre-packaged macaroni and cheese. What I want to know is how valuable it is for a man to know how to cook (more than boiling hot dogs!) in a relationship, in spite of gender roles.
I.e., I want to know if this is something that's worthwhile to learn properly.

Times have changed from previous times. Today most women also work outside the home and roles are more shared between men and women, so I believe it would be very worthwhile for men to learn to cook as it is not a wasted study. Look at it as a learning experience such as an art class and you may find that you will really enjoy creating great dishes for yourself, friends and family!

The greatest chefs out there are men. And being able to cook well for yourself or your family may come in handy if both spouses work, and children are in the equation. I found it quite stressful when I had to work, rush to pick up the children and cook dinner every night as my ex didn't cook at all. Could have done with some help once in a while.

And it wouldn't do if you are a single parent and you can't cook. It would not be economically feasible to eat out all the while, and it would be less healthy too.

So, I would say.....if you don't cook well, or don't cook at all....it is a skill worthwhile to pick up. I'm sure most ladies love it when a man cooks, and cooks well.... a plus point, if I may say so!

I used to cook for my ex at times.... a few dishes i learnt from her and a few from others....but i preferred her food tho but she preferred mine

Hey, now - I'm just promising to BE ABLE TO cook. I make no guarantees as to quality!
Who here likes macaroni and cheese from a box? :D

Give me a grill ( charcoal, none of the gas stuff) , some good steaks , hickory or mesquite smoking chips , a small quantity of bourbon for marinade , Worchestershire sauce ( also for marinade) ,nicely sized potatos for baking purpose along with the proper baked potato loading ingredients. Not a steak fan? Nice chicken breast with spiced rum for marinade instead is equally as tasty .

I think it is important for a man to cook. He should be able to dress himself and make his bed too. It is all just part of taking care of yourself as a grown up. I don't know about how many nights he should cook - again - grown ups can usually work that out together.
Most men I have known do not like reading instructions so they give up on cooking - because usually it involves reading a recipe.

I think am going to be spending holidays at Missy's!!!!!

Oh,am,sooo in!!! Charcoal grilled is awesome-the smoky aroma,the juiciness and taste..... Yuuummmmm!!!

Cooking for your woman is one way of sharing you...a meal,prepared from the heart(I don't mean boiled eggs ) has a way of melting a woman's stance/heart)
Where I come from,not many men do or can do it....even when they know how,they'd rather starve....

And that is the crux of entire matter ...

If it is not from the heart, then why even bother ... why are you even in a relationship where you begrudge such a simple thing that says so much ...

"From the heart" is all well and good... but when I cook, it's usually "from the stomach".
It's just about the oldest school there is, but I think an important aspect of a relationship is the ability to provide food, shelter, and companionship, hearkening back to the days when humankind had to fight for every scrap. To me, that is the most primal and touching thing about a relationship, and everything else is gravy (to go on your mashed potatoes that I also prepared out of a box!). That's the reason why I began to start to learn how to cook in the first place.
Well, that and I was hungry.
One of the best things about knowing how to cook, I think, is that it works for you, individually, as well.

More women than men cook, but in my experience men who do cook are better at it than their female counterparts...