[Q] How to flash a rom

Im looking to flash the latest CM10.1 Nightlies Rom & PhilZ-cwm6 Kernel v3.99. Im currently on Stock 4.0.4 xxLRK rom.

I know I have to follow these steps:

Download xxx-signed.zip kernel matching your ROM
Put the previously downloaded xxx-signed.zip file on your external sd card
Boot into stock recovery (volume up+home+power)
Select "apply update from external storage".
Now select the xxx-signed.zip file you copied in previous step
You are rooted + new PhilZ-cwm6 kernel with CWM6

but My question is can I flash straight from stock (once wiped etc) to cm10.1 & Do I have to change the kernel once I flash to CM10.1? (if so which one)


Thanks in advance.