Years ago when there were no such things as microwave dinners or takeaways most parents managed to get a dinner on the table for their kids every day. It mightn't have been fabulous cooking but it was usually edible. I think there's very few people who 'can't' cook, but I agree that some people have a flair for it and some don't. However, most people are perfectly capable of learning a few basic recipes and cooking skills. As my mum always says "If you can read, you can cook".

I imagine all the cookery programmes on telly nowadays with chefs knocking up gorgeous looking food in a few minutes has intimidated some people into thinking cooking is some kind of art form, and you either have the talent or you don't. And, of course, some people are just lazy and can't be bothered. And some people nearly make a virtue out of not being able to cook 'oh I'm far too busy/interesting/quirky to be able to do anything so boring...'

I remember seeing one of Amy Childs dreadful programmes and it showed her in the kitchen admitting she had never cooked before. What was worse was that she didn't even know how to scramble eggs.

What was her mother thinking of not even teaching her the basics. Stupid woman. Sadly there are a lot of twenty somethings like that nowadays.

It's probably a confidence thing.

All of "The Slavettes" can cook. Each of them can cook a great dinner.

One can do anything with chicken - so long as it's chicken - great meal - she just hasn't mastered any other protein at the moment. She can't do an egg in any way though. She managed to send a boiled egg to the ceiling.

One of the others can make a meal from nothing ... AND I mean nothing - give her an onion and the world is her oyster. She delivers some wonderful food from spuds, an onion, sour cream,that can of stuff from the wartime and an egg. Everyone is rapturous about the meal.

Other one - she does research and consults recipe books and recipes online : this done, she develops her own thing. She turns out beautiful food. She she also bakes - heaven in a fairy cake tin!

Himself is a good cook but he's an engineer. Engineers can't leave anything well alone - they always have to "improve it.

I think I'm a decent basic cook but apparently I have a good palate. I do follow recipes and I do have my own wee recipes for soup and stuff that everyone likes.

If I can follow a recipe then anyone with a basic grasp of language can. I do do have to say that a Victoria sponge equates to a victoria concrete frizbee if I attempt it.

That's true. If you don't enjoy it to some extent, presentation and taste will be less important.

I do like cooking but since I'm on my own, I hardly cook and get take out most of the time. I cook mainly on special occasions or for gatherings now really.