What do the silver magnifying glasses mean?

Question

When you are in the Let's Cook menu (where you select a recipe to make), some of the recipes have a small silver magnifying glass with an exclamation mark on it in the corner of the recipe picture (that you select to make that recipe).

What does that mean? Is there something I have to do here?

Answer

According to anecdotal evidence, the magnifying glass means that there are steps within the recipe where there are multiple ways to complete a task. For instance, you might use the buttons instead of the stylus. When you're at the step that has alternate completion methods, Mama will hold up a magnifying glass that turns gold when you do the step properly.

Check more discussion of this question.

How do I get gold stars?

Question

In Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic, I've noticed that sometimes after completing a recipe I get a gold star, and if I get a total of three (over time, not all at once), I get a reward (usually a custom item for either Mama to wear, or something to change the look of my kitchen).

What can I do to make sure I get all the stars? Is it related to score, somehow?

Answer

Doing a recipe step perfectly in less than half the time earns you a bonus star.

Doing a recipe step perfectly within the allotted time unlocks recipes and sometimes unlocks a "Let's Help" mini-game.

With this new found knowledge, go make Mama proud!

Check more discussion of this question.