Today I am reviewing two items because the second is simply a remake of the first, but in my opinion, is far better. But to understand why I like the second so much better, you might need to know a bit about the original.
Item 1: Personal Trainer: Cooking
The software (can't really call it a game) and concept is what makes this worth picking up. This software uses your Nintendo DS as a cookbook and will tell you, with voice commands, how to prepare the various dishes. Recipes are divided up my country of origin or category (salad, soup, meat, etc.) and contains a shopping list feature, calculator, and a kitchen timer.
This software contains recipes from many different countries and cooking ... Umm.. I guess I'll call them "genres." There are American dishes, Mexican, Thai, Russian, Italian, Japanese, and many more. The program has a little chef that will talk you through all of the steps and can give more details and even videos when needed.
There is a Japanese cooking school on the cover. This appears to be where the recipes originate. The good news is that the recipes, especially for Asian meals, are really authentic. The bad news is that the recipes, especially for Asian meals, are really authentic. Authentic as in: I have no idea where the hell I can buy squid ink. Some of the Asian dishes require ingredients that are not carried by my local supermarket. It also means that some of the other recipes require ingredients that seem a bit odd to me. Seriously, they put squid in Jambalaya? Also, some of the cooking terms are a bit odd. The recipe for chicken stock includes a chicken carcass. That's right, carcass! I am not a chef, but that seems odd to me, and I usually associate the word "carcass" with roadkill, not dinner. It may be just really bad phrasing.
On the whole, I really like the concept and the software, but the recipes are for someone with more varied tastes and possibly a more access to specialty cooking supplies than me. I would not hesitate to recommend this game to someone looking to expand their repertoire.
Item 2: America's Test Kitchen: Let's Get Cooking
This is basically the same software as above with all new recipes. The recipes seem to be more Americanized and are more in-line with what I'd actually make. There were a lot more items that I wanted to make in this program than its predecessor. The software allows for each user to create an individual profile and even mark items as things that they'd like to try. It also allows for the scheduling or a certain dish and for job assignments to different users. I can even adjust the settings so that my 4 year old is not put in charge of the cutting or the stove. Not that I'd blindly do that if the program told me to, but still, it's nice to say, "this is your job" and let him feel like a big shot because he stirred the cake batter and I don't have to take away a job because a 4 year old should not be trying to julienne potatoes.
I have only made a few items, but there are so many that I want to make that I am really in love with this program!
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