Manual Dexterity: Cooking?

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sweetcinuhstix

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So is cooking considered a good example of manual dexterity?
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if you can juggle eggs and perfect placement of small foods 🙂
 
sweetcinuhstix said:
So is cooking considered a good example of manual dexterity?
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I don't think it would be.. maybe if you do a lot of dicing...

from the app.. it says

"activities requiring hand-eye coordination such as cross-stitching, sewing, art, crafts, playing musical instruments, auto repair, etc."
 
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In one of my supplementals, I actually did mention cooking. I can't remember if it was in a question related to manual dexterity or hobbies -- most likely the later. Anyway, I did write a bit about how I am an awesome cook and the attention to detail/skill required.

One interviewer brought that up specifically, having reviewed my file the night before, and remembered me because I said I make the best from-scratch biscuits in town.
 
I mentioned my cooking skills at my interview and on my app. I specifically pointed out my skills with a chef knife. I mean, I'm no Iron Chef, but I think I'm pretty good compared to the average guy. Try dicing a whole onion into 1/2' cubes in 30 seconds without cutting yourself... it's pretty damn hard!
 
phraud said:
I mentioned my cooking skills at my interview and on my app. I specifically pointed out my skills with a chef knife. I mean, I'm no Iron Chef, but I think I'm pretty good compared to the average guy. Try dicing a whole onion into 1/2' cubes in 30 seconds without cutting yourself... it's pretty damn hard!
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LOL
 
Daydream46 said:
I don't think it would be.. maybe if you do a lot of dicing...

from the app.. it says

"activities requiring hand-eye coordination such as cross-stitching, sewing, art, crafts, playing musical instruments, auto repair, etc."
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Cooking requires no more manual dexterity than automotive repair. 😛
 
Hm...

Does the microwave count? I can hit the popcorn button like nobody's business.
 
E Nigma said:
Hm...

Does the microwave count? I can hit the popcorn button like nobody's business.
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You should videotape yourself making microwave popcorn, and bring the video to your interview.

"Look at that manual dexterity... look at how fast I hit that button!" ::high five::
 
phraud said:
You should videotape yourself making microwave popcorn, and bring the video to your interview.

"Look at that manual dexterity... look at how fast I hit that button!" ::high five::
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Oh yeah, Harvard here I come.
 
Lol...the microwave post cracks me up
 
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Cake decorating will do it.
 
Very true, I listed cake decorating as demonstration of my manual dexterity. I've made some mean cakes in my time.

Also, if you are a good typist, list it. I do transcription, and my interviewer was completely wowed by my typing speed.
 
Chopsticks are the ultimate test in dexterity - think Mr. Miyagi.
 
Haha I did say on my UNC supplemental that I eat sushi with chopsticks. No joke -- if I could think of it, I wrote it down.
 
If you can cut tomatoes like John Belushi then I would DEFINITELY mention it!
 
...so what about computer gaming...like those RTS games...225 actions per minute...(still not up to the pro's 400 APM yet)? thats considered manual dexterity too right? and an added slpit second reasoning skills?
 
On my application I listed:
Playing viola (for 20 years)
Working on cars (for 28 years. ie. brake jobs, tune ups, transmission rebuilds, engine rebuilds, transfer case replacement, rewiring plus all preventive work)
Eating with chopsticks regularly (my step mom is korean)
Cake decorating (I decorate cakes for every special event during the year)
My cakes are the wilton cakes with the icing tips, plus freehand I did a Steelers cake for the super bowl and a football field for my son's football banquet. (The cake decorating is my favorite hobby)
As for cooking I love to cook and there are some meals that do require some dexterity. But not enough that I would list it, unless you are cooking 5 star resturant quality meals on a regular basis.
 
I would put cooking down, but I would explain why I consider it helping me train my hands. Def. Cake decorating and plate-setting require fine motor skills.
 
I put down that I can pick my nose very well, right handed or left and can always get those way-back ones!
 
I don't think this is valid unless the OP has worked as a chef.
 
Is scrapbooking an example of manual dexterity?

and say i played the piano for almost 10 years, but i'm not good anymore and i haven't touched a piano since i came to college which has already been 4 years, should i mention that as an example??
I also played the flute for 5 years too but quit after playing symphonic band sophomore year in HS, should i mention that too, or no?
 
Cooking and manual dexterity - now your pushing it. Might as well mention brushing while your at it.
 
What about working at McDonald's in the grill section flipping burgers, cooking eggs and making sandwiches in less than 90 seconds??
 
I had an interviewer ask about manual dexterity. The only thing I could think of was detailing a car. HA! What the hell was I thinking! Oh well, I got in, so it couldn't have been a horrible answer.:laugh:
 
I think it depends on how good you are.
Can you cut something like a pro?
Personally, I can make eggs, hashbrowns, and even many kinds of pasta.
 
I love cooking and cook all the time, but I have friends at school that have trouble even boiling water, yet their hand skills blow mine away.
 
hmm

in regard to that computer gaming question, I had included it in my application. my situation might be a little different though because I play first person shooters, and the team I'm leader of has been ranked top 5 in North America for the call of duty series for the past 2 years. if you do have some kind of noteable accomplishment, I'd say it could only help by including it. everyone knows to be good at video games means good eye hand coordination 🙂
 
tinman831 said:
Cooking requires no more manual dexterity than automotive repair. 😛
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I doubt you have had too much experiance in this then. Pulling bolts off an oil pan or an alternator blind while your arm is snaked around the engine block can be quite tricky. My auto repair isn't extensive, but it was enough to put it on my application.
 
what is call of duty and what does being a team leader mean?
 
1992Corolla said:
I doubt you have had too much experiance in this then. Pulling bolts off an oil pan or an alternator blind while your arm is snaked around the engine block can be quite tricky. My auto repair isn't extensive, but it was enough to put it on my application.
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Everybody seems to be grasping at straws on the issue of manual dexterity. Neither cooking nor auto repair comes close to emulating the hand/finger motion involved in manuvering a handpiece.

Rotating a bolt involves moving the hand in a large arc about a pivot point. Removing a screw involves rotating your wrist with your hands clenched. Mixing ingredients involve moving your hands in a large circle. Cutting foods up involve moving your arms in a small arc.

No one on here seems to even understand what "manual dexterity" precisely refers to. It's not use of your hands. It only refers to certain types of hand/finger movements.
 
UCSF2012 said:
Everybody seems to be grasping at straws on the issue of manual dexterity. Neither cooking nor auto repair comes close to emulating the hand/finger motion involved in manuvering a handpiece.

Rotating a bolt involves moving the hand in a large arc about a pivot point. Removing a screw involves rotating your wrist with your hands clenched. Mixing ingredients involve moving your hands in a large circle. Cutting foods up involve moving your arms in a small arc.

No one on here seems to even understand what "manual dexterity" precisely refers to. It's not use of your hands. It only refers to certain types of hand/finger movements.
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You described cutting as if it were chucking an axe at a tree - cutting a carrot evenly, straight, and quickly involves shifting your holding fingers, while using your cutting hand involves understanding pressure, and measuring quickly. Ya know - not everyone holds a knife like they would hold a hockey stick. Besides, not everything revolves around handpiece playing - I'd say chefs would have a leg up at flap surgery than a handpiece bumbling bloke.
 
Montserrat said:
You described cutting as if it were chucking an axe at a tree - cutting a carrot evenly, straight, and quickly involves shifting your holding fingers, while using your cutting hand involves understanding pressure, and measuring quickly. Ya know - not everyone holds a knife like they would hold a hockey stick. Besides, not everything revolves around handpiece playing - I'd say chefs would have a leg up at flap surgery than a handpiece bumbling bloke.
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My adequacy of my choice of words aside, the motion of cutting foods or any movement involved in cooking don't come close to the hand movements in using a handpiece.

Fyi, cutting a carrot involves moving your hand inches with heavy wrist action, pivoting at the knife, while you only move the handpiece millimeters in dentistry, with emphasis on finger control.
 
My school had a cooking club. If your school has one, just join it and put it under activities. It will not go overlooked I bet.
 
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