While shopping for nerdy gifts at a local Game Daze shop, I stumbled on What's Cookin', a party game created specifically for foodies. Yes, you can now impress your chef friends or foodie Meetup groups with a board game that is based on your love of a good meal. Sigh. Unfortunately, it does not come with wine.
The game, which costs about $25, has a total of 700 questions broken up into 5 categories:
- What's Cookin'?
- What's A Spatula?
- Renowned Restaurants
- Foodie First
- Melting Pot (no relation to the fondue restaurant chain)
Not that we're criticizing, but "What's a Spatula?" Really? Apparently the folks at University Games couldn't come up with better category names. Perhaps that's why the designer remains uncredited.
Some of the questions and challenges are a little random, so it's good that this is a team sport. Can your team name the most berry types? Perhaps, if we can use snozzberries. Can you draw a grapefruit spoon? Um, does it matter if it looks more like a meat thermometer? Do you know where Katz's Delicatessen is? We think so, but hang on while our team leader Googles it.
Ah yes, we're sure the one they're looking for is in New York. Though really it's a trick question, since there's also a Katz's Deli in Pennsylvania and there used to be a Katz Deli in Phoenix (where Postino Central is now). We call a do-over!
If you're not a huge fan of board games, no worries. There are plenty of other cooking games available, including the incredibly sexist Cooking Mama (or the incredibly creepy PETA version) and the 100 Games Cupcake Game dining critic Michele Laudig pointed out a few months ago.
There's also Jamie Oliver's What's Cooking, which would definitely go over well with a group of female foodies -- though it's doubtful anyone would be paying attention to the food.
