What's to do if you want to know the latest on cooking, yet want to stay clear of the smoke and oil of the kitchen? Then it's to the Internet's cooking games with you! On the web, you get to learn about the latest on new recipes, cooking themed-games or puzzles. Nintendo has actually joined the bandwagon and has made a new game called Cooking Mama.



What is this game like on a Nintendo DS? The first thing that might strike people about this and other cooking games is how come there are no 'levels', just like the usual games. For more details go to: www.bread-machine-cookbook.com the idea here is that you don't need your own 'hero,' or even a name. The main menu checks if you are interested in practicing virtual-oriented cooking skills first, which is sensible. Imagine using a stylus to make the perfect cake! Any of the basic dish preparation and cooking skill ought to be reviewed by any beginner, from frying to grating. When you are ready, a long list of recipes awaits you. Now you may say it's a matter of step by step instructions, but it's more complex than you think since each stage has a time limit. The buttons may be obsolete and you feel weary of the learning curve for a stylus, but this happens to be very satisfying, hands on game.

Now how about taking the game to the Internet? As you get a better handle and sharpen your feel of your web-based game, you get to start things off with fifteen recipes. Increased cooking abilities and higher scores mean more and more advanced recipes that can be "unlocked," (or opened for viewing and playing). Along the way, recipes can be as varied as cabbage rolls, or fried eggs. Find out here how to make desserts like cream puffs. Exploring your own style in the culinary arts is highly encouraged since you can come up with your own combinations of various ingredients.

Did you know that your cooking even gets to be judged, and with medals, too? An optional feature allows judging so you rake in the gold, silver or bronze, much like an Olympic sport. For can visit to: www.delicious-sandwich-recipes.com Interesting and thrilling as it sounds, it can be stressing and nerve-wracking too. Or why not transfer a game and make it "open" to visitors and challengers, so you can meet people online who will want to match your record or even do better than you?

There are other cooking games sites that offer cooking-themed word searches, brainteasers and mind-bogglers. And even kitchen-themed it seems, in the case of the game refrigerator poetry. There is even a Better Barbecue Challenge. Build up your score by flipping over the meat at exactly the right moment, all the while not blinking at the thermometer.

On the web, there are a lot of good cooking games to help you appreciate better the excitement of real cooking games, and help you see if your impatience, or sometimes lack of concentration can be something that does not happen when you are in front of the computer (read: you may just be imagining that that bad habit exists!). All in all, you will learn something new while keeping yourself occupied in the art of culinary delights.