Many talented, accomplished people never got around to learning how to cook, so they think that cooking is hard or too much work.

When you're busy, eating prepared foods or take-out seems easier than cooking (and when you're hungry, junk foods look far more appealing than healthy foods)!

But eventually all those shortcuts catch up to you as a shrinking wallet and an expanding waistline.

On the other hand, learning just a few kitchen basics can make cooking easy and enjoyable!

Cooking is a skill you can master one step at a time. With even the most basic cooking skills, you can make quick and easy meals that taste great.

For example, browning ground beef is easy once you learn how, and so is chopping an onion. From there you can make a pot of chili in just a few more steps.

Don't give up if your first attempt doesn't quite turn out. Think of it as an adventure.

Don't sabotage yourself. Think small.

Perfect one skill (browning beef), then move on to the next challenge (chopping onions).

You'll be cooking meals in no time at all.

Once you know your way around the kitchen, food is a great way to make people feel welcome in your home. Even a small effort in the kitchen goes a long way. Your guests will be amazed and impressed when you make something just for them. Whether you're feeding your family, entertaining friends, or even just cooking for your self, home-made food makes people feel special.

Everyone deserves a good home-cooked meal.

Here's my Top Ten list of tips to increase your success when you start cooking!

Kathy Maister's Top Ten startcooking.com Tips

1. Have fun.

2. Think small — master one skill at a time.

3. Keep your knives sharp.

4. Think ahead — it's hard to prepare a meal with no food in the house.

5. Add a touch of romance — anything looks better by candlelight.

6. Keep equipment simple. "Gimmicky" utensils and equipment take up storage space and become dust collectors. (Are you really going to make your own dried beef jerky?)

7. Buy one really good reference cookbook. (I like "Joy of Cooking.")

8. Leave some things to the experts. (I have never been able to cook a steak as well as they do at our local steak house!)

9. Learn to cook one thing really well. Everyone needs a signature dish, even if it is just scrambled eggs.

10. Learn all the proper techniques and terminology, and then break all the rules!

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