Knowing why you want to cook, whether for health, pleasure, or hospitality, will guide your learning journey. Daily practice helps refine your skills and develop your palate. Join cooking communities like online forums or local clubs for inspiration and tips. Work on real projects such as trying new recipes or hosting dinner parties.‎

Cooking is the practice of heating food so that it's suitable to eat. It's something almost every culture does in some form, and it can be as informal as boiling an egg for your own breakfast or as formal as creating a 12-course meal at one of the top-rated restaurants in the world. No one knows exactly when humans began to cook, but the earliest hunter-gatherers most likely used fire or boiling water to prepare their meat. Native North and South Americans used cooking techniques to remove poisons from potential food sources. As humans moved from hunting and gathering to agriculture, they grew bored with cooking out of necessity as their ancestors did. Because they no longer had much variety in their diets, they began experimenting with different ingredients to make food taste better. Today, cooking is more than just a way to sustain life. It's an art, a science, and a form of entertainment.‎

By learning basic cooking skills, you can become more self-sufficient, and it's also a way you can provide for your family. By learning to cook, you may save money because you won't be relying on meals from restaurants and other resources, and you may even get healthier. When you cook, you control what ingredients go into your food, so you can reduce those that might do you some harm, like sodium or sugar. Beyond sustenance, cooking can be a social activity. You can invite friends and family to your home to enjoy a meal you prepared. It's always a way to express your creative side. Many people like to experiment with elaborate recipes or practice making picture-perfect dishes.‎