Dabbles in cooking?

Question

I want to say someone dabbles in cooking - is it correct? -is there a better (fancy) way to say it? (this intends to add bit of humor too)

Answer 1

If you want to add a bit of wry humor, you might try a pun. I can't think of a good pun for the verb, but you might try an adjective with a double meaning:

He is an unseasoned cook.

From the dictionary:

unseasoned (adj.)
1. (of food) not flavored with salt, pepper, or other spices or seasonings.
2. (of a person) inexperienced.

Answer 2

Dabble in means "to be involved in something in a casual manner." So, yes you can say your boyfriend dabbles in cooking.

You could also say he plays at cooking. Play at means "to do something without being very serious about it." {definition of "play at"}

Answer 3

If you want to add some humor, you can say:

He thinks he can cook.

Answer 4

Maybe "He's a cooking dilettante"? Wiktionary gives us:

• An amateur, someone who dabbles in a field out of casual interest rather than as a profession or serious interest.
• A person with a general but superficial interest in any art or a branch of knowledge. (Sometimes derogatory.)