Over a quarter of millennials have no interest in cookery, according to new research.
The research, conducted by the Co-op in association with SORTEDfood, indicates that while 27% of 16 to 35 year olds are not interested in learning how to cook, a further 28% of those who cannot cook can’t see the point in learning.
4,000 people were interviewed as part of the survey which the Co-op says was “conducted to show exactly how far this problem has gone and how endemic it is within the UK’s culture.”
SORTEDfood believe the research shows that “there is a whole generation of 16-35 year olds who have been failed by the traditional education system, when it comes to cooking.”
They believe the lack of basic skills in cooking is symptomatic of the fact that many millennials are still living with their parents, and as such have not needed to learn to cook.
31% of those surveyed stated that they could only cook a “limited repertoire” of dishes, with over a quarter blaming the quality of cooking levels in schools.
37% of millennials believe they’ll learn to cook when the eventually leave home.
The research also discovered that, despite the popularity of programmes such as The Great British Bake Off, more and more millennials see cooking, and especially baking, as a hobby rather than a necessity.
Convenience is also becoming important for Brits with food, with 35% of adults wanting to only spend less than half an hour with cooking.
SORTEDfood believe that the shifts in attitudes between millennials and the older generations could have health, financial and social impacts and hope that their partnership with the Co-op will allow a community solution to develop for the problem.