Cooking - I’ve forgotten how!

I am just the same. I have lost so much confidence and I used to cook for 20 over Christmas.
I was able to make the lightest Victoria sponge too. Any tips on moist sponge cake..?
My tip for Christmas cooking is make the gravy in advance and freeze and add juices of turkey at the last minute (with fat removed). Also buy cauliflower cheese ready made from Waitrose/M&S and pop them in your own serving dishes..!
Also ready made bread sauce, pigs in blankets, cranberry sauce, pre-stuffed Turkey, Christmas pud.
Just leaves spuds and sprouts to prep..!

I feel confident in doing the cooking and baking BUT
My memory isn't brilliant so I make lists and plan ahead sorting out a list of meals I need to cook.
The ingredients I need and shop for them early then cook some meals and baking and freeze.
It works for me, without my lists I would be lost.

Yes, yes and yes! I so identify with what you say. I get so anxious now, about food generally. If I’m cooking for more than just me and my husband, I panic, it’s like I’ve never done it before. I’ve got a new kitchen, and nearly had a meltdown over using the oven(s)! I just need it over with and everything on the table. Then I feel bad because we’ve got the choice. So many people have nothing to eat.

So glad it’s not just me!

I think you get out of the way of things Curlywhirly and when it's the grandchildren you feel extra responsible in case they have a fall or something on your watch! It's normal.

But the sewing. Hmm. I blame my eyesight. I was asked at the yarn group if I was a beginner when in fact I used to knit a lot when my DC were young. I made complicated patterns too. But now I am quite happy to go along and chat and let others pick up my dropped stitches.

Yep, me too. Used to love cooking and having friends around for a meal - hate it with a vengance now, and avoid doing it if at all possible. But, for me it's not just cooking that I have lost a flair for; I have sewed since I was 10, made all sorts of clothes and soft furnishings, even complicated ones. But I have lost my nerve, and can only marvel at some of the things I made, I wouldn't dare attempt to make them now. Also, looking after children - had 2 myself, husband worked away all week, every week and I worked; did all the school runs myself and had no help from their grandparents; now, I am retired and can only cope with one grandchild at a time (if I am on my own), what's that all about?!! And I am a really active type, never sit still, so it's not that I don't have the energy or stamina!

Oh yes, forgetting the vegetable in the lower oven.
That's a regular trick.
I was looking forward to going to DDs for Christmas dinner and not having to cook but there have been some setbacks and I may have to cook after all!!
That means getting a turkey, pudding and everything. OMG!

Our oven is playing up too so that's even more stressful.

I'm sure there are timelines for Christmas cooking online which you can upload.

I think we get into our comfort zones. Then, any more than whatever, it becomes a bit stressy!

Use it or lose it I suppose.

I’ve probably lost it. Ah well.
?

I find this too, I’m afraid. In the final throes of any meal of more than a single course, I quite often fail to keep all the balls in the air these days. Tuna pasta bake without the tuna anyone? Cooking a vegetable and forgetting to serve it? Something missing from the chilli? No beans! I used to be no stranger to cooking three courses for up to ten people. I would run a mile from it now.

Oh how I sympathise EllieB52. I can cook for us 2 , just fine, but if I have to do it for 4 or more, then I start to get anxious, and really don't want to do it anymore.
Perhaps it's just all those years of cooking for family and friends, and now we are all just "cooked out" ?