I was thinking a little abt the protags (+rivals) and how well (or not) they'd cook cause I've read a fic were Hop was hopeless in the kitchen and i didn't agree with that and expended the thought.
Fist I think the kantrio know how to cook, not the bestest of the foods but they make good ones. Blue maybe is better cause I like to think he helped his sister (the only one in the house who was proud of him) and also his time in Kalos. I don't trust Red with pastrys tho (and this might be Blue especially).
Second if something was making Silver so thin was definitely the fact that he can't cook to save his life, I just can't see it. He would be mad as hell abt it? Sure, can he do something abt it? Absolutely not. And if he could, he gave up years ago and thought to spend his time better (training). Also I love Lyra and all but she also don't give "I manage the kitchen just fine" to me, unless is sweets. just leave the normal food to Ethan and Kris unless u wanna a stomach ache (they're good but i believe Ethan's better).
Then ig Brendan and May held up just fine, they got other priorities but know how to follow a receipt without problem. With Wally not so much, he just started his things and got nothing except maybe a tea (baby just yesterday did grow wings of his own, only after his journey ends he start truly living).
The Sinnoh trio also gives me vibes of doing great in the kitchen with little details only, like Lucas is more savory (and tastes better), Dawn's is prettier and put together and Barry's ALWAYS a little undercooked or overcooked, just enough to be notable but not to ruin the dish.
Now, everyone in Unova is so put together for me that I don't have the heart to say they (aside for N) don't know how to cook. I can only say that Rosa's pastrys are better than her normal food. For N, one thing of two: or he doesn't know bc he like things raw (like someone who lives in forest) OR he doesn't know bc Ghetis People™ always cooked him the most posh dishes ever know to man kind and he is accustomed to be served (like a king). THERES NO IN BETWEEN.
The Kalos gang are..... Kalos..... Not saying they don't know how to cook (I only trust Shauna with this tbh) but their pastrys HAS to be heaven sent (don't put in your mouth ANYTHING Tierno cook).
Alola are a bit strange to me, I KNOW Gladion has to know, I feel it in my gut. But he looks so thin, is hard to be sure. Hau is another one, maybe he didn't know but when Raichu evolved he get the hang of it. IF Lillie know is probably just the basic things cause she's rich and only now starting to live. I also feel like Elio and Selene know only the basics and how to follow a receipt cause their mom just spoiled them.
NOW MY STARS and why I thought of this in the fist place. One of Galar mechanic is literally the curry one, and just because of this I can't bring myself to not believe these guys don't know how to cook (I know they're british and lbfr they don't have the most appetizing food over there but c'mon, that's their mechanic, they deserve it). Also Victor being the best chef of the protagonists is very much in my agenda yes, those hands can do no wrong (also Bede must have undergo a special pastry training from Opal, her ace is a alcremie, I just know those hands do magic and one of then are sweets) (also, Klara doesn't do SHIT not because she doesn't know but bc she doesn't care to know — which yes leads her to not know but u get the point).
Paldea I don't have thought much abt them but aside from the obvious (Arven my baby boy the best chef of all, eat dirt british boy) I don't really see then getting near the kitchen AT ALL. Maybe Carmine but I feel her more of drinks than food tbh (and is cool too cause I think she is the fist I thought abt drinks).
