Students are struggling in the kitchen


Updated on 01 October 2012 | 0 Comments

One in three newbie students can't boil an egg, according to a recent survey.

Even toast is too tricky

Sainsbury’s conducted the poll of 934 parents of children aged 18-25, which also revealed that the average 18-year-old fresher also can’t make spag bol or a basic cake. A staggering fifth of students would even struggle to make toast for breakfast.

Less than 50% of those questioned could do any of the following simple kitchen tasks: make a pot of tea, cook a full English, bake a jacket potato, or make an omelette. Pretty shocking, don’t you think?

Plus only 17% of freshers own a wok, and 20% own a casserole dish. Meaty knowledge is ropey, too: 31% know how long it takes to cook a roast chicken, and only 66% are sure of their timing when it comes to sausages. 

The study shows many students will go hungry during their first term, especially seeing as 42% of students aren’t clear about ‘use by’ dates. And there are still many household gadgets 18-year-olds won’t have got to grips with including the kettle (17%) and toaster (18%). 

Better at balancing the books 

In contrast however, cash-strapped students are more than capable at balancing the books with 63% of mums and dads having every confidence their children will cope well with budgeting. They are also adept at keeping ahead of the digital age with over half of students able to set up a laptop with broadband and upload photographs. 

A spokesperson from Sainsbury’s concluded: “Teenagers are more than capable of looking after themselves, but the vast majority don’t even own a saucepan!” 

“With the right leaving-home equipment and some pointers from mum and dad, life in student digs will be much more comfortable”. 

What did you eat when you were away from home for the first time? Or are you an enraged student, who wishes to defend the cooking abilities of your peers? Either way, we’d love to hear from you. So talk to us in the comments box below…

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