I guess I will post this here, as I do not want to check other places in fear of spoilers, and I am sure someone here has played it.
I just got aabout an hour ago in Tales of Vesperia, and played about 18 Hours total. How far am I into the game - I am guessing half?boat
I am liking the game even though I fell it is giving me too much money (I am swimming in Gald), and I feel I do not understand the combat system fully, and also why cook?
Actually, I'd say you're probably closer to 1/3. I think my first run took about 70 hours.
There are basically about 3 clear acts, if that helps. I think you're still in Act 1.
Cooking is a vestige of Tales' roots. It can be useful in quickly restoring some HP/TP at the end of the battle, but it's almost totally optional.