NEW YORK, NY – Do you feel like the days of your husband cooking dinner for you are getting less and less each year? Don’t worry, it’s not you. Worldwide, a trend that once saw men getting into the kitchen more is starting to reverse itself.
A recent study by Cookpad in conjunction with Gallup reveals a widening gap in the number of meals cooked by women compared to men, marking a shift in the trend of the past three years. Women maintained an average of 8.7 meals prepared per week in 2022, while men decreased to an average of 4.0 meals, a drop of 0.7 from the previous year.
This divergence in home cooking habits halted a progressive increase in men’s meal preparation that had been observed since the initial 2018 study. The overall frequency of home-cooked meals dipped to an average of 6.4 weekly, aligning with rates recorded in 2018.
The study, which spans five years of data, including pre and post-pandemic behavior, examines the “cooking gender gap” across various countries. Ethiopia, Tajikistan, Egypt, Nepal, Yemen, and Algeria show gaps of eight or more meals per week, nearly twice the global average.
Contrastingly, Italy presented an unusual case where men surpassed women in the average number of meals cooked per week. Other countries with narrower gaps, like Spain and the United Kingdom, still have women cooking marginally more than men.
In collaboration with Ajinomoto, a new classification system within the Cookpad report identifies five categories of home cooks, based on their cooking frequency and enjoyment. The majority, labeled “Joyful Chefs,” cook frequently and with pleasure. On the opposite end are “Reluctant Cooks,” who represent 21% of the surveyed population and predominantly consist of men.
Additionally, “Home Cooking Professionals” and “Seasoned Culinarians,” each comprising 18% of respondents, cook less frequently but enjoy the experience, with the latter group cooking the most on average. The smallest category, “Crowded-Kitchen Cooks,” enjoys cooking for larger households despite doing so less often.
This exploration of cooking habits underscores a persistent gender disparity with women shouldering more cooking responsibilities. Nonetheless, the data for 2022 suggest a shift in the trend, with varying regional dynamics and a strong indication of the pleasure derived from cooking among global populations.