Conversion Hub and Asia Food Recipe announced the results of an online survey taken by 2,806 American women on Tuesday. Conducted in March 2012, the study seeks to understand the changing trends of women cooking at home.

The poll commissioned by Asia Food Recipe found that more than half (58%) of the respondents said their husbands are better cooks. While four in five (78%) enjoy cooking, most were only able to cook six dishes from memory, without having to refer to a recipe.

What can women cook?
Almost three in five women (58%) struggle with simple curry. Two in five (42%) cannot whip up spaghetti carbonara and one in ten (11%) have never prepared roast meat. Even more shockingly, one in 20 fumble when it comes to cooking omelets or boiling eggs.

Unlike them, three in four (78%) women acknowledged their mothers could easily fix up any of the dishes mentioned. Additionally, one in ten (11%) cannot cook more than three meals without turning to a cooking recipe book or seeking assistance.

Why can't women cook?
Women's most cited reason (52%) for not cooking frequently was "having a partner who does most of the cooking." Other popular excuses for being bad cooks include "not having sufficient time" (36%) and "not wanting to clean up afterwards" (12%).

Asia Food Recipe's representative, Michelle Lim said, "This survey shows how a busy, modern lifestyle and lack of culinary know-how are affecting women's confidence in cooking. Everyone is increasingly pressured for time and women in particular, are finding it harder than ever to balance responsibilities as a parent, at work, and at home. Furthermore, traditional gender roles are being blurred as fathers help out in the kitchen while mothers bring home the bread and butter in addition to looking after their children."

Given the proliferation of cooking channels and reality cooking shows, one would expect American women to be better cooks than this. Perhaps this is the case of those wanting to watch others perform a task they are less apt at.