Well...this morning I woke up and wanted some french toast...So I went at it and was surprised I was actually able to make french toast better than what I've had at some restaurants. That led me for a want to be able to cook all kinds of food.

I work in one of the finest Italian restaurants in my area but all I do is dishwash : / Im sure if I wanted to they would teach me some hints and tricks but we are usually busy all day.

So..I realize it just takes a lot of practice but where do I begin in my quest to become a better cook? I would want to be able to make a variety of platings from breakfast/lunch/dinner...Anyone have certain recipes that would be a good start or any tips?

If you have any questions for me...let me know!

And as of food types I'd like....anything Italian/pasta and such because pasta is usually the easiest to cook isnt it? Then breakfast/lunch are kind of self explanatory.. No seafood though!

step 1: you buy a cookbook.
or
look up recipes online.

step 2: you make the recipe

step 3: rinse and repeat.

As far as I have seen, working as a chef is a difficult business. I mean as a good chef.

If you only want to cook, then try it! It's fun and so delicious. When you screw up, and you will, don't worry about it. Learn what happened, throw it away and do it again correctly.

I found an iPhone apps that works for me. How to Cook Everything app Kitchen Basics section. It's quite long to read, but so informative. And it has tasty recipes.

Pretty much this. It is a lot easier to keep your motivation if you only cook stuff you like tho.

this.

or you could like start a conversation with one of the chef's or w/e
like make him a meal, and ask him if you have any potiential (:

seafood is a must

Agree. Some scampi or lobster can be rather delicious.

LOL. Nice one.

It's like asking "How To Learn 'To Have Sex'?"

You can read up on it or watch videos, but you'll only get good if you practice.

But in all seriousness, start with your family cooking (learn from your parents/olding relatives), then go onto researching your favorite recipes. I wouldn't recommend cook books since they're usually focused on one style, and the fact that there is the internet!

don't follow recipes... that isn't cooking. that is following orders.

cooking is just experimenting in the kitchen, you will have lots of fails on teh way to greatness.