In response to the baking tradeskill question...

In addition to the stat food that gives you increased stats when the
food is in your first food / drink slots, some quests require you to
have tradeskills a certain level in order to do the quest. Examples
of these quests are the Coldain Shawls (Luclin Expansion) and Aid
Grimel (PoP Expansion). Baking is a fun tradeskill because you can
make food for parties like wedding cake and other 'interesting' food
like Batwing Crunchies and Edible Goo.