by Angie Pollock

Created on: January 12, 2009

In the series of Diner Dash downloadable games featuring "Flo" comes another time-management game, "Cooking Dash". One of the differences between this game and the other Diner Dash games, Flo actually does some minor food preparations and cooking. Cooking Dash is a fast-paced game that requires only the mouse to complete a multitude of tasks.

Players will be visited by new types of customers as well as revisited by some that appeared in previous Diner Dash games. Muscle men with short tempers and the easy-going 70's flower child will create a new atmosphere of customers for Flo to contend with. One character that is missing from Cooking Dash (until the end) is Flo's trusty chef, Cookie. But that is the storyline, Cookie leaves to host his own TV cooking show while Flo and Grandma are left to attend the diner.

You won't find the traditional Diner Dash tables, a true "diner style" atmosphere is created complete with stools and the counter. You will still need to seat your customers but there is no running to take orders and give them to the chef. Orders appear in a bubble above the customers head, leaving either Flo or Grandma to create the meal.

The kitchen is complete with stoves, desserts, smoothie machines and Grandma's workstation. Grandma will cook up anything from sushi to pizza and even a few sandwiches. As the game progresses, you will be provided with condiments that will also be required on some dishes. The premise of the game is basically the same as other time-management games. Seat the customers, prepare the meals, deliver the meal to the customer and take the customers money before they grow too impatient and leave.

Different themed diners open up for you to explore, keeping the game fresh as you proceed. From the complex Japanese and Italian cuisines to simple sub sandwiches and wings with fries, the game moves along to challenge your skills with customers and in the kitchen. To help you along your Cooking Dash journey, upgrades become available like doubles stoves and a dual smoothie machine.

Like with any downloadable game, replay value is important and Cooking Dash does not disappoint. Once you have finished Story Mode, you can play again and again in Endless Mode. In Endless Mode, you can choose any of the diners that you have opened in Story Mode with the strategy of serving as many customers as possible before you lose all of your stars.

The Diner Dash series has become one of the all-time favorites among those who enjoy playing time-management games. Cooking Dash doesn't disappoint, the addition of preparing the meals gives a new spin on the series. This game is highly recommended, rated 5/5.

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