<***>=============<*>=============<***> Cooking Mechanics Guide By Krystal Meree Last Update: 25/10/06 Ver.01 <***>=============<*>=============<***> Table of Contents 1. Version History ------------------------------------------------------ [001] 2. Introduction --------------------------------------------------------- [002] 3. Cooking Mechanics ---------------------------------------------------- [003] + Chop ------------------------------------------------------------- [03a] + Slice ------------------------------------------------------------ [03b] + Cut -------------------------------------------------------------- [03c] + Add -------------------------------------------------------------- [03d] + Mix -------------------------------------------------------------- [03e] + Knead ------------------------------------------------------------ [03f] + Shape ------------------------------------------------------------ [03g] + Saute ------------------------------------------------------------ [03h] + Saute: Flipping -------------------------------------------------- [03i] + Stew, Boil & Fry --------------------------------------------------[03j] + Deep Fry --------------------------------------------------------- [03k] + Measure ---------------------------------------------------------- [03l] + Melting Butter/Lard ---------------------------------------------- [03m] + Grate ------------------------------------------------------------ [03n] + Folding ---------------------------------------------------------- [03o] + Tear ------------------------------------------------------------- [03p] + Peel Vegetables -------------------------------------------------- [03q] + Peel Hot Potatoes ------------------------------------------------ [03r] + Cracking Eggs ---------------------------------------------------- [03s] + Beat Eggs -------------------------------------------------------- [03t] + Remove Eggshell -------------------------------------------------- [03u] + Separate Yolk ---------------------------------------------------- [03v] + Weighing --------------------------------------------------------- [03w] + Stuffing --------------------------------------------------------- [03x] + Rolling ---------------------------------------------------------- [03y] + Coat ------------------------------------------------------------- [03z] + Crumbed ---------------------------------------------------------- [3aa] + Tenderize Meat --------------------------------------------------- [3ab] + Flavouring ------------------------------------------------------- [3ac] + Cut Tendon ------------------------------------------------------- [3ad] + Separating Sprouts ----------------------------------------------- [3ae] + Peeling Shrimp & Crab -------------------------------------------- [3af] + Removing Pasta & Noodles ----------------------------------------- [3ag] + Separating Stock ------------------------------------------------- [3ah] + Charcoal Grill --------------------------------------------------- [3ai] + Rice Balls ------------------------------------------------------- [3aj] + Sushi Rice ------------------------------------------------------- [3ak] + Pound rice ------------------------------------------------------- [3al] + Baking Quantities ------------------------------------------------ [3am] + Set the Timer ---------------------------------------------------- [3an] + Place on Stick --------------------------------------------------- [3ao] + Remove Foam ------------------------------------------------------ [3ap] + Meatballs -------------------------------------------------------- [3aq] + Cut Shape -------------------------------------------------------- [3ar] + Fry Dumplings ---------------------------------------------------- [3as] + Toppings --------------------------------------------------------- [3at] + Arrangement ------------------------------------------------------ [3au] 4. Frequently asked questions ------------------------------------------- [004] 5. Credits -------------------------------------------------------------- [005] 6. Legal information ---------------------------------------------------- [006] + Credits ---------------------------------------------------------- [06a] + Sites Displayed -------------------------------------------------- [06b] + Copyright -------------------------------------------------------- [06c] <**>=========<*>=========<**> Version <**>========[001]========<**> (25/10/06) v.01 --------------------- Completed guide. Waiting for acceptance... <**>=========<*>=========<**> Introduction <**>========[002]========<**> When I first found a copy of Cooking Mama for the Nintendo DS, I was instantly hooked. It was cute, quirky and a great way to pass periods of boredom. However, when the initial novelty wore off and I was soon left with a strange and difficult little game. Many of the games cooking steps require numerous attempts that would cause the average gamer hours of frustration (especially if you have just finished 10 steps in a row, just to miss the final step and have to restart the recipe all over again!? ^-^;;) When looked for help, I didn't find much. Many others seemed to be just as lost as I. So I decided to create a guide that may aid my fellow chefs master each step in all 76 recipes. I hope that by the end of this guide, you will truly be... Just as skilled as Mama! ;) - Krystal M. <**>=========<*>=========<**> Cooking Mechanics <**>========[003]========<**> This guide is written in the following manner: Difficulty ------------------ This is my personal rating on how difficult the step is out of 10. 1 is simple, 5 is average and 10 is advanced. Summary ------------------ A quick summary of what mechanics is involved in the step. In Depth ------------------ In depth look at the task with steps to master it. Tips ------------------ Any other tips I may have found that will make the step easier. Chop [03a] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 1/10 Summary ------------------ Chopping is one of the most common steps in Cooking Mama. Good thing it's so simple ;) It's basically used for dicing (cutting into smaller pieces) vegetables. In Depth ------------------ Rapidly tap the knife until the meter is full. Tips ------------------ + Begin tapping before the timer starts to create a rhythm. Slice [03b] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 1/10 Summary ------------------ Slicing is another very simple step that you will come across often. Really if you have played any other DS game - you would have already mastered it ;) In Depth ------------------ Follow the lines that appear on the touch screen with the stylus. Tips ------------------ N/A Cut [03c] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 8/10 Summary ------------------ Unlike chopping & slicing, cutting can be quite difficult to master. Most of the time you will only just make your last cut as the timer finishes. So be prepared for some fast movements. In Depth ------------------ Within the blue handle of the knife, rapidly move the stylus up and down. Take the stylus off the screen each time a slice is cut and start on the next. Tips ------------------ + Try to stay within the blue handle of the knife as this will shorten the length of each stroke - thus reducing time. + Meat is harder to cut than vegetables - practice before hand. Add [03d] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 1/10 Summary ------------------ The only excuse you would have if you failed this step is if you were Colour-blind ;) Seriously, this is a very simple task that really only relies on colour. In Depth ------------------ Watch the pixilated image and choose an ingredient to add to the bowl. Sometimes you will encounter similar looking ingredients - this is the only times you may need to wait a little while until the image starts to clear up. Tips ------------------ + If you know what the next ingredient is, you can pick it up and hold it as soon as you drop the last item into the bowl. Mix [03e] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 6/10 Summary ------------------ Mixing is another common step you'll come across in your recipes. Your aim is to spin the bowl (clock-wise or anti-clockwise) until the meter reaches the dark green area in the bar. In Depth ------------------ Begin spinning the bowl quickly when the timer starts. When you see the meter reach about half way into the light green area, stop spinning. If you were spinning fast enough, the momentum will carry the meter to the dark green area. If it goes past or doesn't reach it, tip the bowl a little to stay in place until time runs out. Tips ------------------ + Supposedly, if you’re right-handed, spinning clockwise can be easier than anti-clockwise. Reverse if your left-handed :p Knead [03f] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 2/10 Summary ------------------ Kneading is the simple art of following directions quickly. But then again, that goes for every step in Cooking Mama ;) In Depth ------------------ Use the stylus to follow the directions shown on the screen until the meter is full. The directions are either: diagonal left-down, diagonal right-down or anti-clockwise. Tips ------------------ N/A Shape [03g] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 8/10 Summary ------------------ Basically, shaping requires you to just drag your stylus between the 2 hands shown. Sounds simple, no? Well if you follow that method, you'll only ever get a silver medal. You need precision, rhythm and a fast hand to truly master this step. In Depth ------------------ I used to be able to do this step flawlessly, until I suddenly lost my touch (no, I don't mean my stylus ;)). Sometimes the response time dragging between the 2 hands was a little off, and the rhythm I had built up was lost. I recommend practicing this step until you are quite confident... Quick, short strokes (try not to remove the stylus from the screen) right to left is the way to go. Good luck ;) Tips ------------------ + I keep saying this but a rhythm will really help you in this step. Random tapping will only lead to silver... Saute [03h] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 10/10 Summary ------------------ Sauteing is the art of lightly frying ingredients - an easy task in real life. Not so much in Cooking Mama land as you must have all ingredients ready at the same time. This step causes problems for many people as it relies solely on guess work (or beforehand knowledge from a practice session). Your aim is to cook the items long enough for double circles to appear on each of them. Cook the items too long and you will loose a circle (silver medal) or gain a cross (bronze medal). In Depth ------------------ Sauteing can be summed up in 5 simple rules: 1) The smaller/finely chopped the item is, the faster it will cook. 2) Meat usually takes the longest to cook. 3) After adding an ingredient, wait approx. 3 seconds before adding the next. 4) Stir constantly! 5) And lastly - Practice Beforehand!!! When your saute session begins, look to the top of the screen. The order of the items that are shown - is the order that you should add them to the fry pan. Example -------- The top screen shows these ingredients: Pork, Carrot, Onion You would add the Pork, count 3 seconds and add the carrot. Then another 3 seconds before the onion is thrown in. If you see puffs of smoke, it means you need to stir the items. I tend to keep the ingredients always moving, because leaving them in one place means faster cooking speed (not a good thing if 2 items are ready, when one isn't ;)). In all honesty, there really is no clear method to sauteing. Some of the rules I've stated above can be overruled and/or broken in some cases (see: large onions & bamboo shoots :p). The best way to get gold is to practice the step before hand. Tips ------------------ + I've said it before, I'll say it again: practice, Practice, PRACTICE! :) Saute: Flipping [03i] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 2/10 Summary ------------------ Saute: Flipping is actually quite easy compared to normal sauteing. As long as you keep the pan moving, you'll win gold :) In Depth ------------------ Use the stylus to move the handle up and down and don't stop until the timer runs out. That's it. If you have to add some ingredients while flipping, add them one at a time. That is, Flip - Add - Flip - Add. Tips ------------------ N/A Stew, Boil & Fry [03j] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 5/10 Summary ------------------ Making a stew, boiling ingredients or pan frying items all involve the same steps: either you will be adding ingredients, blowing, stirring, tapping or raising/lowering the temperature. In Depth ------------------ Watch the top screen to see moving bars. When the bar reaches the meter it will turn green. This is the correct time to perform the action it says. Here is a break down of each action: Adding: Simply touch the item on the right hand side when the bar is turns green. If you have more than one item to add, add them in order (top to bottom) and wait till the next 'Add' bar comes along. Stir: Touch the ladle inside the pot and drag the stylus down to stir. Blowing: Blow into the mic when the bar turns green. Tapping: Tapping bars are usually very small, so hover your stylus above the item your about to tap until you get the green light. Raising/Lowering temperature: Hold onto the knob of the temperature control before the (Low, Medium, High) bar reaches the meter as it will be quicker to move when the bar reaches green. If you complete all actions within the action time limit, you'll earn a Gold Medal. Silver medal will occur if you are too quick completing an action (that is, a few microseconds ahead of a green bar). If you complete an action too late or if you miss it all together, you will automatically FAIL this task and receive the bronze medal. Tips ------------------ + For the blowing action: blow into the mic before the bar reaches the meter to make things easier. Deep Fry [03k] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 7/10 Summary ------------------ Since there is no timer, this step can be taken at your leisure. However don't relax too much as deep frying is often the last task in a recipe and one mistake will take you right back to square one ;) In Depth ------------------ Firstly, 3 quick points: 1) Cook items ONE AT A TIME. 2) Smaller items will cook faster than larger ones. 3) There is no time limit! Place the item into the deep fryer and wait until it floats to the top. Next, watch the item until it turns one shade darker (usually, from pale yellow to lightly golden). Quickly, remove the item and place it on the lower tray and start on the next one. Tips ------------------ + I know some of you are in a hurry to finish a recipe - believe me, I've been there. But I can't stress enough the 'One at a time' rule. You don't know how quickly things can unravel if you add too many items at the same time. And besides, there really is no point since there isn't a time limit ;) Measure [03l] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 3/10 Summary ------------------ Easy enough task. To fill a pot to the green line :) In Depth ------------------ Touch the red tab to start filling your cup with either rice or water. The closer you get to the green line, the smaller the increments you should add. Tips ------------------ + When you start nearing the green line - try using the smallest increment to top you up. Melting Butter/Lard [03m] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 1/10 Summary ------------------ I'm going to be honest here: if you can't get a gold medal on this task, put your DS down and go look for a nice hole under a rock somewhere to spend the remainder of your pitiful existence :p In Depth ------------------ Sarcasm aside, touch the butter/lard and move it around the pan. 50% coverage and you'll get the gold medal. Tips ------------------ + What? You really need a tip here?! Fine. Lard is disgusting. Use butter instead XD Grate [03n] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 1/10 Summary ------------------ What an odd looking grater, no? Well...it's odd to me ;) Probably not to people living in Japan though, but to me anyway! This is a simple task of grating a vegetable as quickly as possible. In Depth ------------------ Drag the vegetable left and right as quickly as possible to start grating. Tap the build up when ever it needs it. Tips ------------------ + You don't need to grate the entire vegetable. Just move as quickly as possible and the gold medal will be yours! Folding [03o] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 7/10 Summary ------------------ Folding is commonly found in pastry recipes. The concept is rather simple - but you'll need a quick hand to get the gold medal. In Depth ------------------ Follow the directions shown with the stylus, to prepare the item. Sometimes you will need to add ingredients before hand and/or wet a side of the item to carry on. Speed is the answer to this question...erm, task :p Tips ------------------ N/A Tear [03p] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 2/10 Summary ------------------ You'll either be tearing Lettuce or Cabbage in Cooking Mama. Either way, they are both simple. In Depth ------------------ Use the stylus to draw short, straight lines left and right away from the vegetable. Tips ------------------ + Straight lines are the only way to go. If you try and pull diagonally, you will end up breaking the leaves. Peel Vegetables [03q] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 9/10 Summary ------------------ I used to hate peeling vegetables (same deal in real life too ;)). The game seems to make peeling unnecessarily difficult by segmenting the peeling into 5 parts. Fortunately, I have found a method to tackling this tricky task... In Depth ------------------ Start on the far most left, then draw short quick strokes down (removing all of 1 strip before moving onto the next). Try to concentrate on the 3 main parts, before tackling the smaller ones. Tips ------------------ + Try not to take the stylus of the screen when peeling - it will make things a hell of a lot easier. Peel Hot Potatoes [03r] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 8/10 Summary ------------------ Like many other tasks in Cooking Mama, this one relies on speed: to peel a hot potato without burning your hand. Why you can't wear gloves, god only knows... :p In Depth ------------------ When the timer starts, place a potato on the hand and use the stylus to draw diagonal strokes on each corner of the potato. As long as your quick enough, you should get all 4 done without any accidents. Tips ------------------ N/A Cracking Eggs [03s] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 2/10 Summary ------------------ To crack an egg, you must hit it (with some force) against the side of the bowl. It's quite hard to offer help on this task as it relies on the force of the player, so keep that in mind... In Depth ------------------ Using the stylus, drag the egg diagonally right to left with medium force. 3 hits should crack the egg, in which case, quickly position it over the bowl. Tips ------------------ N/A Beat Eggs [03t] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 5/10 Summary ------------------ Cooking Mama has an unusual method to beating eggs. One would assume a whisk would be the best way to go about doing this, but no! Spinning the bowl clock-wise and back the other way is this games tried and true method ;) In Depth ------------------ When the timer starts, quickly spin either clock-wise or anti-clockwise. Once the bowl starts spinning - STOP! Begin to spin in the reverse direction. Keep repeating this method until the eggs are a dark yellow. If the mixture bubbles, you have spun in one direction for too long, thus failing the task. Tips ------------------ N/A Remove Eggshell [03u] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 2/10 Summary ------------------ There is only one recipe in the game that you will need to perform this task, so don't worry too much if you can't master it, you won't need it again ;) In Depth ------------------ Using the stylus, rapidly tap the shell until faint lines appear. Follow the lines around till you complete a section. Tap it to remove it. Tips ------------------ N/A Separate Yolk [03v] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 3/10 Summary ------------------ Separating the yolk from the egg whites is a rather easy task. I of course failed it the first time through (I thought I just had to pass the yolk back and forth ^^;;). To surpass this task, you must drag the shells close enough to pass the yolk, but far enough away to drop the egg whites. In Depth ------------------ Using the stylus, drag the egg shell indicated to a couple of centimetres (a little less that an inch) away from the other shell. You should easily pass the yolk to the other shell while dropping quite a bit of egg white. Tips ------------------ N/A Weighing [03w] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 5/10 Summary ------------------ This task is based on trial and error. You must remove portions of meat from the scale until it shows the required amount. It is difficult to describe a fool-proof method, as it differs on how large a portion the player removes. So keep that in mind... In Depth ------------------ Start off drawing large circles/ovals to remove the meat. As the number decreases, make the size of the circles smaller. Tips ------------------ + Like many other tasks, practice beforehand until your confident with your circling. Stuffing [03x] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 10/10 Summary ------------------ Stuffing. This is, in my opinion the hardest task off all. The basic premise is to separate portions of meat/rice from the bowl and use it in the recipe. The problem is your MUST separate the correct portion each time. Too much or not enough equals automatic failure. The fact that the stuffing process is often found at the end of the long series of steps in the recipe makes things even more frustrating. There really is only way to conquer this task: PRACTICE. In Depth ------------------ This is the only method that managed to get me gold medals in those 3 recipes. Go into practice mode and repeat the following until your confident: Begin by circling (medium circle/oval) in the middle of the bowl first. Then circle the top half of the bowl, then the bottom. If you have taken the correct amount each time (not too little or over fill), then all that's left are the 2 sides of the bowl - which should have perfect amounts. Tips ------------------ + Practice mode was created for this task - use it ;) Rolling [03y] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 5/10 Summary ------------------ Rolling is quite a tricky task to some, even through it doesn't occur that frequently in the game. Basically, you must take control of a rolling pin and try to roll the dough out to the correct size. In Depth ------------------ Start either rolling right to left or up and down and stick to that direction until you have reached square corners. The dough must be touching the corners to get the gold medal. Tips ------------------ N/A Coat [03z] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 2/10 Summary ------------------ Coating items are simple in this game. With a flour pat and a dunk in beaten egg, you shouldn't have any problems. In Depth ------------------ Tap a piece of meat to move it to the flour tray. Drag the item right to left, using quick, short strokes. Next move to the beaten egg bowl. Spin the bowl a couple of times and the item should be ready. Tips ------------------ N/A Crumbed [3aa] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 7/10 Summary ------------------ Crumbed foods are usually quite tasty, especially if they are deep fried after wards ;) To get through this task in Cooking Mama's kitchen, you really only need one thing - speed. In Depth ------------------ When the timer starts, quickly start tapping random areas on the meat. After 15 or so taps, turn the meat over and repeat on the other side. Tips ------------------ N/A Tenderize Meat [3ab] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 1/10 Summary ------------------ Time to tenderize some meat! A very easy task as all you need to do is: Tap! In Depth ------------------ Tap randomly over the meat until the meter becomes full. Tips ------------------ N/A Flavouring [3ac] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 1/10 Summary ------------------ You may be thinking your having a little deja vu - but no! Flavouring meat involves the exact same process as tenderizing. Tap-pa Tap-pa Ta-pa... In Depth ------------------ Tap randomly over the meat until the meter becomes full. Tips ------------------ N/A Cut Tendon [3ad] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 6/10 Summary ------------------ How good is your memory? Because that's what you'll need to master this task. You need to cut 2-3 slices in the meat, in the exact position that was shown in the preview. (Remnants of a game called Trauma Centre always appear when I complete this task - though this is 100 times easier ;)). In Depth ------------------ First off, you have to realize that you must be extremely precise when making your cuts. Hold your stylus above one of the tendons until the timer starts so as to get through one cut quickly. Then your free to try and locate the other/s. Tips ------------------ N/A Separating Sprouts [3ae] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 2/10 Summary ------------------ I didn't realize sprouts need to be separated until this game. Fortunately - it's very easy :) In Depth ------------------ Drag the end of the sprout left and right until it snaps off. Tips ------------------ N/A Peeling Shrimp & Crab [3af] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 4/10 Summary ------------------ Peeling crabs and shrimp have basically the same directions so I have combined them into one easy paragraph ;) In Depth ------------------ Simply, use small strokes up and down when required. For shrimp - use your stylus to follow the guidelines. Tips ------------------ N/A Removing Pasta & Noodles [3ag] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 8/10 Summary ------------------ Time to use caution in this task, as you will need a very steady hand. You must strain portions of boiled pasta/noodles from the pot without dropping any. Let me just say - this task had me on silver medals for awhile ;) In Depth ------------------ Start by slowly dragging the pot up (very small angles to begin with). Gradually increase once the contents start to decrease. It is OK to SPILL LIQUID as were only concerned with the pasta/noodles in this task. There are 5 portions of pasta/noodles in a pot, so keep counting while your straining. Tips ------------------ N/A Separating Stock [3ah] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 8/10 Summary ------------------ (Have you read the above section? No? Good. Because I'm definitely not copy'n'paste'n anything. Nope. <_< >_> Erm, onwards!) Time to use caution in this task as you will need a very steady hand. You must strain the stock from the pot without spilling. Let me just say - this task had me on silver medals for awhile ;) In Depth ------------------ Start by slowly dragging the pot up (very small angles to begin with). Gradually increase once the contents start to decrease. It is NOT ok to SPILL LIQUID. Well, it's not good anyway. You need around 90% of the meter full in order to win gold. Tips ------------------ N/A Charcoal Grill [3ai] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 4/10 Summary ------------------ BBQ time! Well...sort of ;) In this task you'll be maintaining a fire to grill your items. Hand-eye co-ordination is important here. In Depth ------------------ 4 Fans. 4 food stuffs. Tapping a fan will raise the heat causing the food to cook more quickly. When the items start smoking, tap them to remove them. I recommend raising all wood stations to the maximum heat to cook half of the items so you don't need to worry about tending to the fans until the fire dies. Tips ------------------ N/A Rice Balls [3aj] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 4/10 Summary ------------------ Rice ball time! Too bad that there is only one recipe that has this task :( Anyway! If you have done any kneading in this game (God know - you have :p) then your already half way there. In Depth ------------------ Choose an ingredient to add to your ball, then simply use the stylus to follow the directions shown. Tips ------------------ N/A Sushi Rice [3ak] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 6/10 Summary ------------------ I'm not exactly sure why you would need to make sushi rice any different from normal rice - but this game sure makes it different! You'll need a good set of lungs and a determined hand to get through this task. In Depth ------------------ The basic premise is the follow the lines from top to bottom that appear across the screen, blowing into the mic when told too. That's it really. Tips ------------------ + I recommend blowing in the mic throughout this task as it saves response time between stopping to blow and following the lines. Pound Rice [3al] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 2/10 Summary ------------------ Very basic task. You need to pound the rice without hurting your hand. In Depth ------------------ Tap the rice when the hand disappears. Tips ------------------ + Develop a rhythm to quicken the pace, thus reducing time. Baking Quantities [3am] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 1/10 Summary ------------------ Bake as many items as your told...? Whew, I don't know how were going to get through this difficult task ;) In Depth ------------------ Add up the amount of items Mama tells you, place the items into the pan and turn it on. Tips ------------------ 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 :p Set the Timer [3an] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 1/10 Summary ------------------ 3 simple words. Set. The. Timer. In Depth ------------------ Mama will give you the correct time to set your items to cook for. Enter the time and press enter. Tips ------------------ N/A Place on Stick [3ao] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 5/10 Summary ------------------ Similar to the cutting tendons task, place on a stick (or 'skewer' if you will ;)) is reliant solely on your memory. In Depth ------------------ You have to complete 3 sticks, each with the correct combination of items. You will be shown how the stick should look beforehand, then it's up to you and your memory to complete it using the ingredients located on the right hand side. Tips ------------------ N/A Remove Foam [3ap] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 3/10 Summary ------------------ Remove the foam that appears around the edges of the pot. A simple task with no real strenuous activity involved. Makes a nice change, no? In Depth ------------------ When the foam starts to appear, simply use the stylus to circle it, and remove it. Tips ------------------ N/A Meatballs [3aq] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 3/10 Summary ------------------ A much easier task than shaping patties, all you really have to do is roll. So - let's roll :p In Depth ------------------ Tap the meat, then use the stylus to circle the meatball repeatedly. Tips ------------------ N/A Cut Shape [3ar] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 2/10 Summary ------------------ I did hope there would be some more cookie cutting in this game...but I guess the one recipe that calls for cutting shapes out of dough is enough. (For now :p) In Depth ------------------ Use the stylus to cut shapes out of the dough. Be careful not to cut places with little or broken dough - only full shapes count! Tips ------------------ N/A Fry Dumplings [3as] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 9/10 Summary ------------------ I've never made dumplings in real life...perhaps that's why I had such a hard time with this task. You must pour batter into individual holes without overfilling them (an easy thing to do - spillage, I mean). Then you must turn the dumplings over to prevent them from burning. In Depth ------------------ Tap the container to get started. Unless you’re confident in pouring - only fill the holes halfway, then top up the remainder with one quick tap of the stylus. When the dumplings are ready to be turned, an arrow should appear above them. Touch the centre of the dumpling and draw a quick oval/circle around it. Tips ------------------ N/A Toppings [3at] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 1/10 Summary ------------------ You really can't go wrong with the toppings task - so have fun with it! In Depth ------------------ As long as you add one ingredient as your topping (or one tap of a sauce bottle) you'll earn a gold medal. Tips ------------------ N/A Arrangement [3au] ============================ Difficulty ------------------ 1/10 Summary ------------------ Ah - the arrangement of the plate. Nothing better than knowing you did a good job throughout the recipe and the fact it's nearly over ;) In Depth ------------------ As long as you place the MAIN item (that is, what you were cooking) on the plate, you'll earn a gold medal. Tips ------------------ N/A <**>============<*>============<**> Frequently Asked Questions <**>===========[004]===========<**> Q: Something is incorrect! A: We all make mistakes :) Feel free to email me the correction and I'll check it out. Q: I've got some information that you haven't added! A: Send it to me. I hope to keep improving this guide, so every bit of information counts. If it is helpful and relevant, I'll throw it in (with credit for you, of course). Q: How can I contact you? A: Email will be fine: lostdeku AT hotmail DOT com (please make sure your subject heading says FAQ or something along that line...) <**>=========<*>=========<**> Credits <**>========[005]========<**> Thankyou to Majesco & Nintendo. Hope we will see a Cooking Mama 2 ^-^ <**>=========<*>=========<**> Legal Information <**>========[006]========<**> Contact [06a] ============================ If you find any error's in the FAQ or perhaps just have a question, you can contact me at: lostdeku AT hotmail DOT com. Sites Displayed [06b] ============================ This FAQ is displayed ONLY at: - GameFAQs.com Copyright [06c] ============================ Cooking Mechanics Guide Copyright 2006 Krystal Meree. All rights reserved.