I agree, it's a wonderful sense of achievement! I love cooking seafood, especially when I can get my hands on some fresh ingredients - there's nothing better than making an elegant dish with simplicity being the key. Some garlic butter scallops or prawns always hit the spot and look impressive too!
I'm also a big fan of slow cooking - something about putting all the ingredients into one pot, letting it simmer away and filling the house with amazing aromas, knowing that something delicious is forthcoming. It's such a cosy feeling! Can't go past a hearty beef stew with dumplings or a rich tagine with spicy fragrances.
And I second the masterpiece analogy; it's a great way to describe the satisfaction of creating a tasty dish, almost like an artist with their painting - very satisfying indeed!