Taste.com survey finds 74 per cent of Aussie men are cooking dinner

A major survey of Australian families has shattered outdated stereotypes and may leave many women surprised.

A culinary revolution is sweeping Australian kitchens, with new research revealing that modern fathers are leading the charge in home cooking like never before.

The comprehensive survey of 2000 Australian families has shattered outdated stereotypes, showing almost three quarters of men are now cooking dinner for their households.

The findings paint a picture of Australian families where the apron-wearing dad is becoming the norm rather than the exception, as cost-of-living pressures and changing social attitudes drive more men into the kitchen.

The taste.com.au Dinner Heroes survey results showed 74 per cent of men are either taking charge of the evening meal or sharing the responsibility with their partners.

Amanda Morely Mutpefa and her husband Tinesh are just one of the millions of families around Australia who battle with putting dinner on the table every night. They are pictured cooking dinner with their kids Hudson, 7, Easton, 6, and Ryan, 1. Picture: Alex Coppel

Amanda Morely Mutepfa, who posts about family life on Instagram as ‘@justamelbournemama,’ and her husband Tinashe Mutepfa (@justamelbournedad) are among the majority of families who are redefining gender norms in their home kitchen.

“We approach cooking dinner like we do the rest of the household jobs and parenting – shared and as a team,” Tinashe said.

“We have young kids so cooking and looking after our kids is a team job. We try, where we can, to use whole foods and limited processed foods so 20-minute dinners and five-ingredient dinners are great inspo.”

The survey found two in three Australians felt too tired to cook multiple times per week and young families (68 per cent) of young families were more likely to be tired most nights of the week.

The survey also found young families with children under 12 like the Mutepfas were spending an average of $238 per shop, just under families with children between 13-17 years old at $258.

Amanda Morely Mutepfa and her husband Tinesh cooking dinner with their kids Hudson, 7, Easton, 6, and Ryan, 1. Picture: Alex Coppel

Taste.com.au food director Michelle Southan said the survey had taken the temperature of who’s cooking, when are they cooking and what are they cooking.

“Australians want simple, easy and delicious meals to cook but they’re often too tired, especially if they’re parents with young families,” Ms Southan said.

“We’ve seen both parents having to participate in cooking the nightly meal, and that’s also a great way for families to spend time together.”

With busy Aussie families like the Mutepfa family in mind, the experts at taste.com.au have teamed up with Coles to create 20 flavour-packed recipes that are simple, easy and delicious.

This brand-new collection of delicious dinners includes plenty of budget-stretching, one-pot, 5-ingredient, 20-minute, and Friday-night-ready fakeaway meal inspiration. Set to inspire home cooks while saving time, money and effort.

To try the Taste Dinner Heroes recipes at home, visit taste.com.au/dinnerheroes.