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The Sims 2: Building Your Sim’s Cooking Skill
In The Sims 2, your Sim can develop various skills, with cooking being one of the most essential. Every Sim needs to eat, and improving their cooking abilities allows you to whip up a wider range of delicious meals. Plus, there are careers that greatly benefit from strong culinary skills.
Having good cooking skills not only makes meals more enjoyable but also decreases the chance of kitchen fires. Additionally, for Sims who love cooking, it can be a fun way to spend their time. Here’s how to enhance this vital skill.
Ways to Improve Cooking Skills
You can increase your Sim’s cooking skills in four main ways. The quickest and easiest method is to read cookbooks. Your Sim will also gain skills whenever they prepare meals, use the candy maker, or watch the Yummy Channel on TV.
Reading Cookbooks
Cookbooks can be found on any bookshelf. Just click on the bookshelf and select Study > Cooking. Keep an eye on your Sim’s needs while they read!
Tip: Studying through cookbooks is the fastest way for kids to gain cooking skills compared to adults.
Watching Yummy TV
To let your Sim enjoy the Yummy Channel, first turn on the TV. Click the TV once it’s on, and select Change To > Yummy TV. As your Sim watches, they will automatically improve their cooking skills. Both reading and watching will help increase your Sim’s culinary interest.
Preparing Meals
Each time your Sim prepares a meal, they gain cooking skill points. The more complex the meal they attempt, the more points they’ll earn. Encourage your Sim to try new recipes frequently.
Tip: Sims with a strong interest in cooking will have a more enjoyable experience with all cooking-related activities.
Utilizing the Candy Maker
Upon reaching level 6 in the culinary career, your Sim will gain access to the Schokolade 890 Chocolate Manufacturing Facility. This large machine takes up a 2×3 area, but it not only builds cooking skills at the same rate as studying; it also produces a steady income through candy sales.
Recipes Your Sims Can Learn
As your Sims enhance their cooking skills, they will automatically unlock new recipes. Here’s a list of dishes they can learn to make.
| Food | Skill Level | When Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass With Squash | 0 | Lunch, Dinner | Requires a Largemouth Bass. Can be Grilled |
| Cereal | 0 | Breakfast | No Cooking Required |
| Chips | 0 | Any | Snack |
| Cookies | 0 | Any | Snack |
| Cup ‘O’ Ramen | 0 | Lunch, Dinner | Requires Microwave. Single Meal Only |
| Gelatin | 0 | Dessert | Group Only. No Cooking Required |
| Hot Dogs | 0 | Any | Group Only. Requires Grill |
| Instant Meal | 0 | Any | No Cooking Required |
| Juice | 0 | Any | Snack |
| Lunch Meat Sandwich | 0 | Lunch | No Cooking Required |
| Toaster Pastries | 0 | Breakfast | No Preparation Required |
| TV Dinner | 0 | Lunch, Dinner | Single Meal Only. No Preparation Required |
| Mac And Cheese | 0 | Lunch, Dinner | None |
| Santa Cookies | 1 | Dessert | Can Only Make in Residential or Community Lots |
| Spaghetti | 1 | Dinner | None |
| Blackened Catfish | 2 | Lunch, Dinner | Requires a Catfish. Can be Grilled |
| Grilled Cheese | 2 | Lunch | Can Be Conjured At Any Time With Aspiration |
| Chef Salad | 3 | Lunch, Dinner | No Cooking Required |
| Hamburger | 3 | Lunch, Dinner | Can Prepare On Grill |
| Pancakes | 3 | Breakfast | None |
| Chilli Con Carne | 4 | Lunch | None |
| Crepes Suzette | 4 | Dessert | Group Meal Only |
| Omelette | 4 | Lunch | None |
| Stuffed Rainbow Trout | 4 | Lunch, Dinner | Requires a Rainbow Trout. Can be Grilled |
| Berry Pie | 5 | Dessert | Group Meal Only |
| Pork Chops | 5 | Dinner | None |
| Layer Cake | 6 | Dessert | Group Meal Only |
| Salmon | 6 | Dinner | None |
| Stuffed Golden Trout | 6 | Lunch, Dinner | Requires a Golden Trout. Can Be Grilled |
| Turkey | 6 | Dinner | Group Meal Only |
| Cheesecake | 7 | Dessert | Group Meal Only. Guarantees Twins in Pregnant Sims |
| Holiday Roast | 7 | Dinner | Requires a Cornucopia on the Lot |
| Ribs | 7 | Any | Requires Grill |
| Baked Alaska | 8 | Dessert | Group Meal Only |
| Lobster Thermidor | 10 | Dinner | None |
Your Sims will learn these recipes as they progress in their cooking skills.
Exclusive Recipes and Careers
In addition to the standard recipes, there are some exclusive dishes available only at certain restaurants such as Filet Mignon and Fried Chicken. These meals can only be prepared by Sims who own a restaurant.
The cooking skill is also critical for several career paths, including those in culinary arts, journalism, paranormal studies, and science. A higher culinary skill means better job performance and a more successful restaurant if your Sim chooses that path.
These experiences elevate the charm of The Sims 2, enabling your Sims to thrive both in their culinary endeavors and their careers.
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