Yes, in my own mind, I am a gourmet chef.
And, sometimes just a cook.
And, sometimes I sit at a table in restaurant.

To get back to your second sentence, I say do it!

1. It's enjoyable and mostly rewarding -- including when feeding others.
2. It costs less to eat at home -- and when you cook a lot, there are almost always ingredients to make something already in your cabinets or freezer.
3. You get to try some new things that you've had in a restaurant or that just look yummy (I.e you see it on a web site) . 4. It's a great skill to have when having company over -- romantic or platonic.
4. Cooking together can be a very enjoyable way to spend quality time with a child, a friend, or a romantic partner.

A class would be a good start. Or do some reading on basics, cooking/baking vocabulary and tricks and hacks. There are TONS of helpful tools out there -- measurement conversions, the smoking point of all the oils, why not to do this (like not to put uncut tomatoes in the fridge - EVER), and on and on.

If you mess up, it's not the end of the world. Usually it's still edible. Keep us posted if you give it a go!

I've been cooking since I was 5 years old. If I had the start up capitol to make a restaurant or cookbook, I'd do so.

I did it professionally for 16 years..from dishwasher to exec..loved it..except for all the paperwork as exec..and Not getting to work the line as much.

Nope. But I teach cookery to kids at school....

Holla!

I love doing it, I get few complaints, but I am far from professional and not professionally trained. I love baking the best. All from scratch of course!

I'm an armature cook. I make everything from scratch. I enjoy experimenting. Also like baking.

I am autodidact and have a knack for cooking baking have invented my own recipes and do expert class recipes that is when I have someone around that will eat what I make. My 6 year old twins refuse to eat gourmet dishes.

I was a professional line cook for years. I still do it on occasion, either volunteering or to make some extra cash. My brother was a chef for about a decade. We both grew up cooking. I find it relaxing and rewarding. I say go for it!