To feel that sad that basic cooking skills are dying out

I do agree though OP, for years I didn't know how to cook rice or make a soft boiled egg or fried egg

When I think about the way we lean on convenience food which often has nasty added ingredients and additives making it UPF I think it's sad too

Also, to follow up, my daughter wanted to take food tech but when it came to choosing her GCSE options it wasn’t an available option ☹️

I don't think I know anyone who can't cook. Maybe some people can't always be arsed to cook, but as long as you're not looking for Michelin star quality food, it isn't exactly rocket science, is it?

I mean, if you can read, you can follow a recipe. 🤷‍♀️

My step dad taught me to cook quite a few meals and my mum taught me a few too. When I came to make something I didn't know how to do like a roast, I would ring my step dad to ask him how.

But I've really grown in confidence in my late 20s and early 30s

I don’t understand this. I was never “taught” to cook, but I’ve been able to google anything I didn’t know and learn in about 5 mins how to do it.

Both my adult sons can cook, particularly the older one. He started cooking when father died because he wanted to contribute. When I was ill last Christmas he cooked a delicious roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings (though the roasties were frozen).

So not all of the young can't cook.

I think a lot of it is to do with how people define a "good cook".

I can cook all the usual, a roast, shepherd's pie, stir fry, steak, pasta and rice dishes. They all are decent but I'm not obe of those people that has a natural flair for it or that automatically knows, an extra splash of X, y or z would really elevate this dish. To be that's what makes a good cook, being able to elevate dishes to another level just using basic instinct. My partner is the same.

My ex used to say he was a great good. He wasn't. Most sauces came from packers or jars. He just knew how not to burn stuff.

My daughters both cook and I didn't teach either of them! Both teens, the older one is a better cook than me. She loves following YouTube tutorials.
You are being unreasonable!!

Why are you bothered about what other people chose to do or not do/learn. Some people like cooking or have time for cooking. Others don't. I hate cooking so i dont. who cares . If you get stuck there's youtube. If you have time to be sad about this you are lucky

I used to be able to cook, hosted dinners, made elaborate puddings, I lost the knack. I would really like to take a basic cooking class on a range of topics.

I don’t think you’re really sad, are you?

Smug perhaps, but not sad.

I think it’s never been easier to learn to cook. There are so many avenues to learn and great videos online.

But I haven’t encountered anyone who’s told me they can’t boil an egg. It’s odd you’re meeting so many people in that position.

That's silly really because unless you're rich you need to cook. Can't afford to just eat tv dinners a la Charlie Bingham or whatever his name is 😂

I don’t know a single adult who actually can’t cook. I know people who prefer really basic food, people who choose to outsource to restaurants/takeaways or food prep companies, people who aren’t particularly interested in food, people who can’t be arsed, people who eat the same few meals in rotation, but I don’t know anyone who actually can’t do it. My mother can’t be arsed, she isn’t interested in food so I was brought up on crispy pancakes, potato waffles, pasta with grated cheese, boil in the bag fish, but even she can cook.
I wasn’t taught to cook by anyone else, I just learned myself. It’s not hard, although I’m another one who struggles with an omelette.

Made up to suit the narrative...

Where are all these numerous threads you cite where people can't boil an egg?

I know some people may only be able to follow a recipe without improvising, even if they then have to buy everything rather than use what they have. Then they think it's expensive to cook from scratch.

I agree on the types of food though, I have no interest in making pastry when I can just mash potato to top a pie, or eat alongside the 'filling'. Or for an apple pie when I can eat stewed apple or rhubarb with yogurt or porridge instead. I don't know how to make a white sauce but I can take meat or legumes, and vegetables and herbs or spices and make something cheap, tasty and nutritious.

They are really easy, honestly. Small non stick frying pan. Whisk 2-3 eggs.

Melt a good knob of butter to foaming, pour in the eggs, turn the heat to medium. Don't touch for 20 secs or so, then take a fork and gently draw sides to middle a few times, swirl pan to pour uncooked eggs from middle to the outer sides of pan. Leave again. Season. Add cheese or other fillings.

Lift edge gently to have a peep if its browned. Slide half out of the pan onto a plate and flip over.

Me too!

Disabilities.
Conditions like ADHD or autism.
Learning difficulties.
Severe arthritis.
Mobility problems.

But you know that.

My late Mum was a good old fashioned English cook, as was her Mum before her. Roasts, casseroles, shepherd's pie, cakes and bakes, you get the picture. But my Dad, well, he could turn out curries, chili con carne, kedgeree, stir fries -- this was all in the 60s. He was a real foodie. (But we did live abroad.)
I'm very lucky that I learned from both of them. As a family we were all 'live to eat' rather than 'eat to live.'
If you're the latter I can see that cooking would hold no interest for you.

I've been on mn for 15 years and yet to see loads of threads where people can't boil eggs

It's not 'dying out' OP just wanted to come across all smug and superior because her daughter made a bog standard dinner from scratch

My teen is a really good cook - MUCH better than me! She gets her recipes off social media, buys the ingredients and cooks really delicious meals.

Anyone can look at youtube and follow a recipe, showing all the steps needed. I think you're over worrying.