100% Agree with the OP.

I played FFXI and leveled cooking to 99.3.

As more and more expansions came out, I spent WAY more time trying to create demand for my food than just cooking it.
Explaining to each customer that their fish-kabobs maxed out many levels ago and now they needed whatever new items were available was a total downer. It's great to help each other out, but having to be a walking guidebook, and explain all 8 effects of Tavnasian Tacos was a total joke.

Everyone else gets numbers spelled out, and I gotta explain this to every guy I see?

HP +20
MP +20
Dexterity +4
Vitality +6
Agility +4
Charisma +4
HP Regeneration While Healing +1
MP Regeneration While Healing +1
Defense +25% (Cap: 150@600 Base Defense)

Preposterous!