re: Anyone willing to admit they are a mediocre cook?

I know how to cook without a recipe and I cook many tasty things. I can cook a pretty good omelette or eggs over easy. But when it comes to sweets and baking other than pizza, I just don't have much experience.

I don't know all the French sauces and I can't cook any Indian or Asian food - I just don't understand the spices very well. I don't like to cook like a fancy chef - I just want to cook something others and I will enjoy.

I like to try to duplicate restaurant dishes or grocery products I like. I've done that for Cousin's Creole Tomato Dressing and Jack Miller's BBQ Sauce. I'm working on Manuel's Hot Tamales.

I've learned a ton from Alton Brown, Cook's Country and America's Test kitchen