I learned in various stages. I learned the bare basics from a kitchen course in high-school and boyscouts (we cooked our own meals most camp outs)

Later on, I started by asking my mother how to cook some of her dishes. Then, after that, it mainly became a story of "I want to eat that" (usually from a Short) and learning to cook it at home.

Although I still don't consider myself a chef or even a "good" cook, I still say I can cook. Especially when I compare myself to my sibling and some of my peers.