Six in 10 adults have traded nights out at bars and clubs for evenings at home cooking, according to new research. The study of 2,000 adults found 73% now look forward to spending their weekends at home, with 56% doing so more often than before. Cost-cutting is not the only driver, as four in ten of those staying in report feeling happier as a result.
Home Cooking on the Rise
While at home, 32% choose to spend their weekends cooking. Four in ten use the extra time to experiment with new or more elaborate recipes, and 34% feel they have more energy to dedicate to cooking. The slower pace turns cooking into valuable downtime, with 22% saying it helps them slow down and be more present, while 18% feel it lets them switch off from screens and digital distractions.
The research was commissioned by Hotpoint, which partnered with Fuschia Sirois, professor of social and health psychology at Durham University, to explore the shift 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."
Cooking as a Social and Self-Care Activity
The research also revealed that preparing meals has become a social activity, with one in four people cooking for friends and family at weekends. Nearly half (47%) make spending time with loved ones a weekend priority, while 14% described cooking for others as their love language. For many, time in the kitchen has evolved into a form of self-care, with 33% relishing the opportunity to treat themselves – and others – to quality food. Additionally, 22% derive a genuine sense of accomplishment from their culinary creations, and 19% embrace having a 'special' weekend routine.
Favourite Saturday Dishes
Despite having more time to try new things, those surveyed via OnePoll largely stick to tried-and-tested favourites on Saturdays. Spaghetti Bolognese leads the weekend menu, followed by curry and stir-fry. Adam Norris, senior product manager at Hotpoint, said: "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 and casseroles, steak and chips, pasta bake, lasagne, homemade pizza, roast dinner, and fish and chips.
