Students often struggle with limited space and resources, such as one oven and four hobs for six people, leading to chaos during meal preparation. They also face the challenge of balancing cooking, cleaning, and studies, which can be frustrating at times.
Students develop routines and communicate effectively about their cooking schedules and needs. They also learn to tolerate each other's habits and share space better, which helps in managing the kitchen more smoothly.
Communication is crucial for managing shared kitchens effectively. Students often discuss their cooking times and cleaning responsibilities, which helps avoid conflicts and ensures everyone respects each other's space.
Newcomers should be friendly, respectful, and willing to help others. Cooking together can strengthen relationships, and it's important to be open to trying new things without fear of judgment.
Sharing a kitchen forces students to be more sociable and engage in conversations more frequently. This setting helps them become better communicators and more tolerant of others, which they carry forward in their personal and professional lives.
Priyanka found that her flatmates thought her South Indian dishes, like curd rice, were strange. She also observed that men in Spain often cooked when their girlfriends visited, which was a cultural difference from India.
Ruth ate potato waffles grilled with blue cheese on top for two whole terms, which her housemate described as unappetizing but a staple in her diet during that time.
Residents use a rota system where people sign up to cook dinner. They also collaborate by preparing food together, and those less confident in cooking contribute by washing up or cleaning the kitchen.
Ana suggests being timely with cleaning up, communicating openly with roommates, and setting up shared pantry sections for items like spices and oats, which fosters trust and cooperation.
Anna values the social aspect of sharing a kitchen, as it allows her to connect with others and create fond memories. She finds cooking alone to be a lonely experience and enjoys the communal aspect of preparing meals together.
Did you share a flat, house or kitchen as a student or professional? Is it the shared meals and conversation that stay with you, or the piles of dirty dishes and missing food?
This week Ruth Alexander has a look around shared kitchens all over the world.
We hear the good, bad and dirty – and give advice on how to build cooperation in your shared kitchen. Ruth hears from a former housemate what she was really like to share with, as well as a surprise revelation about her unappetising meal of choice.
If you would like to get in touch with the show, please email: [email protected]
Presented by Ruth Alexander. Produced by Hannah Bewley.
(Image: five students sat on sofas in their shared living space eating a meal they have cooked together. Credit: BBC)