This is your ability to create a decent meal. Given ingredients, tools, and techniques, you can prepare some interesting surprises. You know how to combine flavours and textures effectively. Used with Visual Arts or Fashion, you can dazzle others with a fancy plate.
In ancient times, you'll have trouble finding exotic spices or good tools. Those highly skilled likely perform for noble courts. In any time period, it's often Visual Arts in the presentation that separates the real chefs from the runner-ups.