Almost half of Irish households cook fresh home-made meals every day, but time and inspiration remain big barriers in the kitchen 

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Almost half of Irish households cook fresh home-made meals every day, but time and inspiration remain big barriers in the kitchen

Ireland is a nation of home cooks according to new research which has revealed the country’s big appetite for cooking fresh, with almost half of adults (43%) preparing meals cooked from scratch every day and 56% saying they are hungry for more and want to cook even more home-made meals throughout the week.  

 

Less than 1 in 10 (7%) say they ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ prepare home cooked meals, showing an increasing trend for Irish adults getting back into the kitchen and prioritising freshly prepared meals over convenience foods. 

 

The new consumer research, commissioned by Ireland’s leading discount supermarket retailer Lidl, found that the biggest challenge to home cooking, or increasing the number of meals they cook fresh from scratch each week, was not having enough time, which affects almost half of Irish households (48%), whilst a third (34%) say they suffer from meal planning fatigue and find coming up with new recipes every day to be too challenging. 

 

Thinking about their own culinary skills in the kitchen, the top frustrations faced by Irish adults are having too many steps involved in preparing the meal (30%), not having enough patience for home cooking (21%) and poor time management in getting the full meal ready for serving (18%). One in ten said they aren’t good at following recipes (12%).  

 

Considering kitchen equipment and appliances, 1 in 10 (11%) feel too many gadgets are involved, whilst another 1 in 10 (12%) say they don’t have the right kitchen equipment to home cook. 

 

The findings come as Lidl Ireland gets set to be the first Irish retailer to launch an innovative, premium and versatile all-in-one cooking appliance designed to simplify home cooking and provide an affordable alternative to big-brand competitors. 

 

Lidl’s own-brand Silvercrest Monsieur Cuisine Smart is an established household appliance across Europe, with over 2 million units sold to date. Replacing dozens of kitchen gadgets in one complete appliance, the Monsieur Cuisine is a multi-functional kitchen aid for every cooking requirement – from kneading and steaming, to roasting, pureeing, fermenting, slow cooking and more. 

 

With built-in cutting-edge technology, the Monsieur Cuisine features an 8-inch coloured touchscreen display and video-guided cooking for step-by-step recipe guides. Additional standout features include app connectivity for voice-controlled remote operation, a self-cleaning function, and over 600 pre-programmed recipes to inspire home cooks of all levels. 

 

With 85% of the Irish public saying they would be interested in purchasing an all-in-one cooking solution, Lidl’s new Silvercrest Monsieur Cuisine Smart retails at just €499.99 – less than a third of the cost of big-brand competitors. 

 

Speaking about the launch, TV chef and Lidl Ireland brand ambassador Gina Daly said: 

 

“What’s really encouraging from this research is that while nearly half of Irish adults cook from scratch every day, 56% of Irish adults want to spend more time in the kitchen and prioritise making fresh, home-cooked meals over convenience foods which is so important for good nutrition and a balanced diet. Cooking from scratch is also something so many of us love to do but, as the research shows, it’s not always easy to find the time and coming up with new recipes that the family will all enjoy can be exhausting. 

 

The Monsieur Cuisine Smart takes the hassle out of home cooking by combining multiple functions in one simple-to-use appliance. Since switching from my usual trusted appliances like my slow cooker, it has transformed mealtimes at home – and saved hugely on kitchen space.  

 

What I love about it is how user-friendly it is – I can browse recipes, meal plan, create shopping lists and know I’m making exactly the right amount of food needed, reducing food waste. The helpful voice control functionality and video instructions take all the stress out of cooking – it’s really become my sous-chef in the kitchen! Whether you’re a confident home cook or just starting out, this device makes it easier than ever to prepare fresh, delicious meals for you and your family.” 

 

Ahead of the new products hitting stores next month, Gina Daly will host live cooking demonstrations and share her home cooking tips at special Monsieur Cuisine pop-up events in Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin on Saturday 15 March and Cornmarket, Cork on Saturday 22 March, from 10am – 6pm.  

 

The Monsieur Cuisine Smart by Silvercrest will be available in 184 Lidl stores nationwide from Thursday 3rd April 2025, priced at just €499.99.  

 

For more information, visit www.lidl.ie/MonsieurCuisine   

 

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Viktoriia Hurska

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Vika joined Harris PR following her selection as the recipient of the 2025/26 Harris PR Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Bursary, developed in partnership with the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII) and the Open Doors Initiative. Originally from Ukraine and displaced by war, Vika came to Ireland in 2022 and brings over eight years of experience in communications including a wealth of strategic insight, creativity, and international perspective.

 

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During the course of her career she has worked with a broad range of corporate entities and consumer brands from industries spanning retail, telecoms, and FMCG, and has been the recipient of a number of PRCA awards in recognition of her work. She later served on the judging panel for the annual industry awards for several years.

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