Learning how to cook - the journey never ends

As a self pronounced foodie, I am learning a lot quickly.
However, I have still so much to learn.

Three main areas that I have realised I need to work on are:

• Making up my own recipes (not relying on cook books and recipes)
• Understanding what flavours work together
• Distinguishing between tastes, sweet, sour, savoury and how they can combine 
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I guess this blog is mainly an ask for help and how i can train and learn more.
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Making up my own recipes (not relying on cook books and recipes)

As it stands, I like to experiment and make sure I do not waste food.
However, my default is to look at my recipe books and see what other chefs have done.

I wish that I could look at a few ingredients and make something up. What is key here, is understanding what flavours go well together but also what ingredients work.

Understand what flavours work together

These are all linked. I think if i could master this and the below, I would be a lot more confident with putting ingredients together and how to cook them etc.
If anyone has any advice, then please do let me know.

Distinguishing between tastes, sweet, sour etc

One of my fave restauranteurs - Max Haley from Max's Sandwich shop. says the key to his sandiwches is marrying sweet, savoury and sour into his sandwiches and incorporating textures too. His creations speak for themselves with Ham, Egg & Chips with piccalli. This combination is bold and is a 100% winner.

This post is a call for help. I love to cook and try out new things all the time.
Moving forward I want to be able to create my own dishes and not have to rely on cook books all the time.

Thanks in Advance!
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