LOS ANGELES, Jan 28: It seems Generation Z isn’t quite mastering the art of cooking. A recent study by dating app FindingTheOne found that over two-thirds of Zoomers lack basic culinary skills, including tasks as simple as making an omelet.

"For Gen Z, the kitchen isn’t just a source of uncertainty but also a space where they feel out of their depth," said Sylvia Linzalone, a dating expert with the app, according to the Daily Mail.

The survey, which polled more than 1,500 participants across different age groups, revealed that Gen Z is particularly challenged in the kitchen. The findings were staggering: 42% of those aged 18 to 28 admitted they couldn’t cook a basic stir fry, while 27% couldn’t even figure out how to make a simple soup. Even a basic omelet, a hallmark of cooking school competency, proved to be a challenge for 61% of Zoomers.

As for more complex dishes, the results were even worse. A significant 80% of Gen Z participants said they wouldn't know how to cook lasagna or roast a chicken. It’s no wonder, then, that 64% of Zoomers preferred dining out due to their inability to cook. Nearly half of them (49%) said they relied on takeout or restaurant meals because of anxiety surrounding their cooking skills.

Some Zoomers, embarrassed by their lack of ability, even confessed to passing off restaurant or takeout meals as their own. This phenomenon could explain the rise of "girl dinners," which consist of no-cook, easy-to-assemble options like canned corn or popcorn paired with soda.

So, why are so many Zoomers struggling in the kitchen? "I feel like a lot of us just didn’t grow up in kitchens the way older generations did," said 23-year-old Mia, a participant in the survey. "Plus, with food delivery apps and ready meals I can just stick in the microwave, it’s easier to get by without cooking."

The survey results also highlighted a stark contrast with previous generations. Gen X adults, aged 44 to 59, were the most skilled cooks, with 85% saying they felt comfortable in the kitchen. In fact, 72% of Gen Xers credited their parents for teaching them essential cooking skills. Millennials, aged 29 to 43, also outshone Gen Z, with 68% of them feeling at ease in the kitchen.

Interestingly, Zoomers don’t associate cooking with romance the way older generations do. While Gen X and Millennials overwhelmingly view cooking as a form of intimacy, only 17% of Gen Z said they prefer home-cooked meals as part of their dating experience. However, many Zoomers admitted that not knowing how to cook is an awkward issue in the dating scene.

“When it comes to dating, I’ll admit it’s a little embarrassing,” said Mia. "I wouldn’t dare invite someone over for a home-cooked meal unless I had help.”

In fact, 21% of Zoomers admitted to enlisting their parents to cook for a date, only to pass off the meal as their own. Coincidentally, another shocking survey found that one in five Gen Z jobseekers also admitted to bringing a parent with them to a job interview.

This struggle with cooking isn't the only life skill that Zoomers seem to be missing. In an era of ride-sharing apps and public transportation, many Gen Zers are also opting out of learning to drive altogether, claiming it's no longer necessary.

As Gen Z faces new challenges in everyday tasks, it’s clear that technology and changing social norms are reshaping how they approach even the most basic life skills.