There might be cookery shows galore on the TV, but new research from the Co-op suggests that – despite a penchant for food porn, eating out and theGreat British Bake Off– a quarter of young Brits are unable to cook up a week’s worth of simple meals like spaghetti bolognese or shepherd’s pie.

For Gen Yers who are used to getting everything on-demand from their smartphones, trying to decipher a traditional cookbook can seem daunting. Now, chefs and illustrators are making it easier for them to get stuck into the kitchen by swapping methodical lists for snackable comic strips.

From overblown tantrums to joyful tears to Gordon Ramsey covered in cream, the experiences of theMasterChef Juniorparticipants have drawn 5.4 million viewers – and reflect what Gen Z wants from their food. But what is it about kids in the kitchen that makes a recipe for success?

For those that can't cook, deciding what to eat once meant choosing between a restaurant or a microwave meal. Enter the meal kit; ingredients are delivered with instructions on how to cook a perfect dish. By helping people rediscover the joy of cooking, this sector is on track to be worth $5 billion.