Three quarters of people look forward to spending their weekends at home, and many are using the time to try their hand at new recipes, according to a survey of 2,000 adults.
The research found that 73% enjoy spending their weekends at home, with 56% doing so more frequently than they previously did. However, it is not solely down to saving money, as four in ten of those choosing to stay at home report feeling happier there.
Weekend cooking as relaxation
While at home, 32% opt to spend their weekends cooking, finding it more relaxing than during the week when it tends to feel more of a chore. Of those who spend longer in the kitchen at the weekend, 63% say it is because they have more time to savour the experience, while 42% appreciate not having to rush.
What's more, 40% feel they are able to attempt more complex or new recipes on Saturdays and Sundays, with 34% feeling they have more energy to dedicate to cooking. The unhurried pace can transform cooking into valuable downtime, with 22% saying it helps them slow down and remain more present, while 18% feel it enables them to switch off from screens and digital distractions.
Social and self-care benefits
The study was commissioned by Hotpoint, which has partnered with Fuschia Sirois, professor of social and health psychology at Durham University, to explore how weekends have shifted towards resting and recharging at home.
Prof. Sirois said: "A night out can feel like the best way to unwind after a long week, but, psychologically, it often isn't. Studies on how we recover from work look at switching off, relaxing, learning something new and feeling in control of our time. A night in cooking can cover all of those, which a night out rarely does."
"At home we get to choose how we use our time and who we share it with. People talk about the joy of missing out, and I think that's exactly what we're seeing."
The research also revealed that preparing meals has become a social activity, with one in four cooking for friends and family over the weekend. Nearly half (47%) make quality time with loved ones a weekend priority, while 14% described cooking for others as their love language.
For many, however, time spent in the kitchen has evolved into a form of self-care, with 33% relishing the opportunity to treat themselves – and others – to good food. Meanwhile, 22% even get a sense of achievement from their culinary masterpieces, with 19% embracing having a 'special' weekend ritual.
Favourite weekend dishes
Yet despite having more time to experiment, those surveyed, via OnePoll, are favouring tried-and-tested dishes on Saturdays, with Spaghetti Bolognese leading the weekend menu, followed by curry and stir-fry.
Adam Norris, senior product manager at Hotpoint, said: "The kitchen has always been the heart of the home, but it's increasingly becoming the heart of our weekends too. A night in is no longer the consolation prize, but something we genuinely look forward to."
"As autumn sets in, the weekend gives people permission to slow the pace, spend more time at home and enjoy cooking without the pressure of the working week. What's interesting is how cooking transforms from a midweek chore into a weekend pleasure."
"For those trying a new recipe, it can be daunting, but with the right appliances on hand and the time to enjoy the process, cooking can be a great way to build confidence, switch off from digital distractions, and share the feeling of home."
The top 10 dishes Brits cook on a Saturday are Spaghetti Bolognese, curry, stir-fry, stews/casseroles, steak and chips, pasta bake, lasagne, homemade pizza, roast dinner, and fish and chips.
