
Speaking of which, what really impressed me about Toca Kitchen 2 was all the options for potentially messy and messed-up things to digital food. Who can say whether it actually encourages them to learn to cook, but at the very least, the act of “food play” can get them thinking about the possibilities. Like the first app game, Toca Kitchen 2 is great for showing kids the effects of food on grills, in boiling water, etc. And the characters are not afraid to let their preferences show: If they don’t like something, they are quick to stick their tongue out and make a sick face. Depending on the guest, it may go over well-the monster, for example, is a huge fan of fruits and meats, while the girl seems more like a vegetarian. They can also chop up the item into smaller pieces and season with various condiments before serving it up. After choosing ingredients from among fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains, players can select a cooking option, such as baking/roasting in an oven, boiling in a pot, deep-frying, and more. Players can open the refrigerator off to the left-hand side, revealing an impressively stocked pantry, one with even more variety than that in the first Toca Kitchen. The premise is a dinner party with a trio of special guests: one girl, one boy, and one-er, some kind of furry monster. If the original Toca Kitchen was an appetizer, Toca Kitchen 2 is akin to the main course.
