Shared meal preparation in residential kitchens: implications for kitchen planning

Abstract

A comparison was made of the use of residential kitchen work centres by one worker and by two workers during a dinner meal preparation in which a microwave oven was utilized. When the meal was prepared by two workers they divided the work load by menu item and utilized separate work stations; typically, only one worker prepared the menu items requiring actual cooking. However, whether the meal preparation was individual or shared, the sink and preparation centres were the most frequently used.