The Psychology Behind Sharing Food and Cooking Together

There’s something undeniably special about gathering around a table, passing plates, and sharing a meal with others. In a world that often feels fast-paced and disconnected, sharing food has become an important way to stay grounded and connected with loved ones. And according to our new survey of over 1,000 Australians, it’s a ritual that most of us hold close, with 87% of Aussies saying they regularly share meals with others.

But who are we sharing with, and why does it matter? To find out, our survey asked Australians about their food sharing habits, including which meals they’re more inclined to share and the benefits they feel this brings.

We’ve also partnered with psychologist Dr Andrea Oskis, author of The Kitchen Shrink, to unpack the psychological impacts of eating together, and why sharing a meal might just be one of the simplest, most powerful acts of connection in our daily lives.

Aussie attitudes towards sharing

In general, we’re a social bunch when it comes to sharing food, with 87% of Aussies sharing meals with others. There are some generational differences in our enthusiasm for a group meal, though: while a very impressive 96% of Millennials say they share meals, this drops to 78% among Boomers.

Our feelings towards sharing food also vary depending on who we’re sharing with. We’re more likely to gather around the table with family than anyone else, with 89% of Aussies saying they feel comfortable sharing food with family members. Just over 70% (72%) also feel comfortable sharing with a partner, while 72% also say the same about friends.

Dr Oskis explains this as “If we only know someone at drinks, we know them less. But once food is on the table, so is the opportunity for a deeper relationship.”

On the other hand, just under a quarter (21%) of Australians surveyed said they would feel uncomfortable sharing a meal with a neighbour, and another 22% don’t like the idea of sharing with a stranger. So while the dinner table may be a place of connection, it seems it’s often reserved for those we already know and trust. However, if we wish to be closer to new people, Dr Oskis mentions the Wooley and Fishbach 2017 study, which showed that “strangers who are instructed to eat similar foods are more trusting of each other afterwards.” Therefore, sharing the same meals may have the power to turn a stranger into something more.

Food sharing habits

Our group dining habits seem to revolve mainly around dinner, with Aussies sharing dinner with others an average of three times per week – more often than any other meal. In fact, nearly a quarter (23%) of Australians said they share dinner with others every single day.

When it comes to who we’re dining with most often, partners top the list, with Aussies sharing meals with a partner an average of 4.1 times per week. But this goes beyond convenience: 65% of people we surveyed also said they consider sharing food as a sign of intimacy in a relationship, which could explain why we opt for such frequent dinner dates with our other halves. Dr. Oskis, a psychotherapist specialising in relationships and the intersection of food and attachment, explains, “Food is deeply tied to love and connection because it’s been linked to our relationships from the moment we’re born. We associate food with care, safety, and closeness - so cooking for someone or sharing a meal taps into that emotional wiring. It’s why something as simple as eating together can feel so intimate - it brings up feelings of trust, belonging, and being understood.”

As for the type of food we’re sharing, one dish stands out as a clear favourite: pizza. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of Aussies agree pizza is the best food to share with others, with 19% saying they do this two to three times per month. The Italian dish is particularly popular among younger generations, with 36% of Millennials strongly agreeing that pizza is the best food for sharing, compared to just 19% of Boomers.

The benefits of sharing food

Sharing a meal is more than just satisfying hunger. It’s also a fantastic way to deepen our relationships, foster connection, and give our well-being a boost.

We asked Australians why they enjoy sharing food and cooking together, revealing the top 10 benefits of enjoying a group meal.

According to Australians, sharing a meal is all about getting closer to the people we care about. A huge 71% of Aussies said that eating together helps them feel more connected to their loved ones, making this the number one benefit. On top of that, 68% said they feel more socially connected when they share meals or cook with others, and the same number said that it strengthens their relationships.

Dr Andrea Oskis comments: “Food sharing fosters connection, trust, and sense of belonging, but only if you are able to find these qualities within your relationships in the first place. You also need to be a person who finds pleasure in people.”

Here at Gozney, we are all about connection and collaboration. Whether it’s building a collection of chefs and ambassadors or giving pizza classes, we understand the importance of community. The Australian population seems to agree, with 63% saying that sharing food and cooking with others creates a strong sense of community and 56% of people saying pizza brings people together more than any other food. Dr Oskis quotes, “The father of psychoanalysis himself, Sigmund Freud (1918) observed, 'To eat and drink with someone was at the same time a symbol and a confirmation of social community’.” Sharing food has always been more than just nourishment, but also a way to connect.

With so many Australians confirming that food sharing helps them feel more connected to loved ones, it seems we’re a nation that finds pleasure in both food and people. 67% said it makes them feel happier and more content with life; 65% said it boosts their mood and overall sense of well-being; and 64% said it helps them relax and unwind.

It seems certain foods have a particular mood-boosting effect too, with over half (55%) of Australians agreeing that sharing pizza improves their mood and well-being.

Dr Oskis explains, “Cooking has been shown to have grounding and calming effects that help with depressive feelings. One recent study1 of a 7-week cooking programme that incorporated preparing and eating food together built cooking confidence and improved general and mental health, but did not change dietary behaviour, which shows us that sometimes it’s not even about eating the food, it’s about us cooking it.”

Plenty of people also appreciate the practical benefits of cooking and eating a meal together. Nearly two-thirds (65%) said it encourages them to try new recipes or meals, potentially branching out from the usual dishes they might make for themselves. Dr. Oskis even suggests that the sharing experience may even enhance the taste: “Research has suggested that food may actually taste better when consumed in the company of others, and associations can be built with food in positive social situations that make us have a preference for them.”

Another 64% also said that sharing meals helps to reduce food waste, making it as great for the planet as it is for our well-being and relationships.

The benefits of open-air dining and cooking, together

Outdoor dining – whether it’s a picnic in the park, a barbecue with friends, or a family dinner on the patio – often provides the perfect setting for communal eating. And just like food sharing comes with a whole range of practical and emotional benefits, open-air dining and cooking also have a lot to offer.

We asked Australians what they appreciate the most about outdoor cooking and dining, revealing the top 10 benefits.

Sounds and smells

With 74% of Aussies saying that the sounds and smells of outdoor cooking create a more enjoyable atmosphere, it seems most of us can agree that al fresco dining is a treat for our senses.

61% of Aussies also agree that the smell of outdoor-cooked food (like from a barbecue or outdoor pizza oven) lifts their mood and improves their well-being, confirming that outdoor cooking can have a powerful positive impact on our mental and emotional health.

For a lot of people, smells can be a strong link to the past. Our research supports this, with 63% of Aussies associating outdoor meals with positive memories or nostalgia – potentially due to the familiar scents of family barbecues and summer gatherings.

Dr Oskis adds, “The kitchen is often the heart of the home, but for some it is the garden. And where the kitchen meets the garden, for example, with a live BBQ cooking area, that can be a home away from home, giving us all the benefits of green space. Domestic kitchens have been analysed as a site of memory, because of their affective potential, and as emotional spaces, and it would make sense for such features to translate to outdoor cooking areas too.”

Social connection

Just as sharing meals indoors can strengthen our relationships, so too can outdoor cooking. 65% of Aussies agree that sharing meals outdoors helps strengthen bonds with others, while 55% say they feel more socially connected when eating or cooking outdoors.

In particular, the type of cooking we usually do outdoors can foster connection. Over half (56%) of Australians agree that cooking over an open flame (like a barbecue or an outdoor pizza oven) creates a greater sense of togetherness than indoor cooking.

Evolution may play a part in this. In the past, our human ancestors relied on live-fire cooking – both to prepare food, and deepen social connections for survival. Dr Oskis explains, “Being together around the fire allowed us to nurture our bonds with others and to be included, accepted, and welcomed into a social group – in other words, to belong. Belonging helped us to survive – humans are not very well-suited to fulfil their survival and reproductive needs living in isolation.”

Our research also found that 59% of Aussies would cook outdoors more often if they had better outdoor space or equipment, such as an outdoor pizza oven. It seems improving outdoor spaces and equipment could encourage more Australians to embrace outdoor cooking as a way to connect, creating even more opportunities for shared meals and social bonding.

Looking for ideas on what to cook outdoors together? Check out these pizza recipes to get started: