Good Eating! Who's Cooking? Not Me.

Mad about being in the kitchen? Try these tactful ways to tell that special someone that you have an aversion to cooking. Find out if the man in your life is a flexible kitchen mate.

One of my favorite pastimes is eating. One of my most dreaded things to do, is having to cook. Still, they say a way to a man's heart is cooking. More and more men are taking over the kitchen, and they aren't reluctant to do so. My friends' husband does all of the cooking. She, is among the ones I count lucky, and she's not alone.

For ladies who aren't that fortunate as yet, but aren't enthusiastic about being in the kitchen as myself, we have to be creative in finding out if we are biting off more than we can chew when choosing a mate. One that won't stress us with kitchen woes.

One of the greatest perks of being single, is not having to cook, especially on a daily basis. Let's face it. Not having a desire to be June Cleaver doesn't detract from our femininity, or from what we are "bringing to the table," as we say. We are a generation far removed from being associated with cooking simply because of our gender.

The greatness of today's society is that there are genuine financially independent women. As such, one of the privileges that comes with that is having discretionary income to dine out after long stints of work or play.

If you aren't one for forward speaking, a simple way to share your dislike for cooking is to query your mate early on about his favorite dish. Find out if he is capable, of preparing it by casually questioning him about his first introduction to the dish. Most likely, mom may have been the first to dish it out, so thread lightly. Continue to be as subtle as possible when you playfully challenge him on his kitchen talents. This is a great way to find out if he is kitchen material, and a potentially flexible kitchen mate.

Some men will not be honest with you regarding their abilities. It may take several coaxing efforts to get him to divulge how far he's willing to go in the kitchen.

There are those that outright boast and brag about their kitchen prowess. These are the ones you're more likely to be more compatible with. Even though some men tell you they are not demanding when it comes to meal preparation, the story seems to change once the commitment to the relationship evolves. Check out his kitchenship habits before you get too far gone. If he shirks at the sight of your prominently displayed microwave, and incessantly talks about his mothers cooking, beware. You can't change him, nor he you. If you are not in the habit of cooking, and have no desire to accept these additional duties, then don't perpetrate for the sake of getting him. We've heard it before. The same thing it took to get him, is the same thing it will take to keep him. I don't know about you though, I don't want a kept man. Nor do I want one who values the social duties placed on me by virtue of a primitive tradition established before women started making the bomb boardroom deals, and stopped making home cooked meals.

Life partners should enhance our lives, and vice verse. However, added the stress and pressure of tasks you don't sincerely want to take on is not conducive to a working relationship. So, if cooking is not your forte, then it's okay to over compensate in other areas.

If you are like most women, and already into a sub-functioning kitchen arrangement, be creative. Mix a little home cook with can vittles, and micro-waved meals to make a complete table offering. Or, call on your local favorite home cooking restaurant, such as RIB HOUSE, our restaurant review choice for this month, and wha-la, dinner is served. If you are anything like me, transfer the meal into your very own utensils or kitchenware and serve.

By Vanessa Morman