The research also shows that over half of Brits (65%) proudly admit to licking the spoon while cooking, nearly a quarter (23%) have eaten dinner straight from the pot, and 31% say they’ve scrubbed dishes with their bare hands. Meanwhile, 1 in 5 (20%) confess to serving food that’s taken an unexpected tumble to the floor - because sometimes, life happens!
From the backseat chef to the chaotic cook, these findings prove that no two kitchens are the same, and everyone has their own wonderfully unique way of getting dinner on the table.
The research reveals a nation of confident cooks and committed cleaners, with the ‘chaotic cook’ most prevalent among younger generations, with 44% of Gen Z (those aged 18-24) admitting they use more pots, pans and utensils when cooking - compared to just 18% of boomers (those aged 55+). Across the nation, a third (32%) say they tend to create more washing up when they’re on cooking duty.
Brits are also embracing their role as ‘creative cleaners’, with nearly 1 in 10 admitting to using their old socks or underwear to wash up, and even turning to toothbrushes to get the job done. Yet despite this enthusiasm, 22% say they delay washing up until the next day - proving even the most diligent cleaners have their limits.
Elsewhere, the ‘backseat chef’ is alive and well, with 32% of Brits admitting they feel compelled to offer advice while someone else is cooking. Meanwhile, nearly a third (32%) say they sneak in extra ingredients when they’re not the ones in charge, quietly taking matters into their own hands.