Cooking is a valuable skill for life. And, while I don't have a lot of personal experience to back this up, I have it on good authority that lady friends quite appreciate somebody who can cook.
That all said, cooking is something I thoroughly enjoy, so maybe its a case of "that's easy for you to say." Even when it doesn't come out, there's something to learn from the experience. Today I made the mistake of attempting to slow roast a hunk of sirloin that looked like it might rise above the traditional limitations (i.e. toughness) of the cut. It didnt. It came out as a perfectly cooked, pink-to-the-edges and juicy lump of shoe leather. I find that most people are willing to forgive the occasional flop so long as you clearly made an effort, and it might even give you something to remember and talk about.
And if you happen to be with somebody who holds an occasional culinary mistake against you, I'd say that's a strong indication to ditch that person posthaste.