From collapsed soufflés to overcooked steaks, new research reveals the dishes we’re most nervous about attempting at home – and why the pressure to impress is making us think twice.

We all have that one dish we’d love to master.

Perhaps it’s a beautifully risen soufflé, a restaurant-worthy steak or a Beef Wellington that looks as impressive when sliced as it does on Instagram.

But when it comes to actually giving it a go?

Suddenly, ordering a takeaway seems much more appealing.

And it turns out we’re not alone.

New research from home appliance brand Siemens has revealed that more than half of Brits (53%) admit there are dishes they’d love to cook but are simply too intimidated to attempt.

With home entertaining becoming increasingly popular, it seems the pressure to produce something spectacular is getting the better of us.

The pressure to be the perfect host

Gone are the days when inviting friends over meant putting a lasagne in the oven and opening a bottle of wine.

Well, not entirely, but there’s certainly a growing expectation for dinner parties to look a little more polished.

According to Google Trends data highlighted by Siemens, searches for ‘hosting at home’ have increased by 400% since 2022, reaching a record high in 2026.

And while we’re all for a beautifully dressed table and a delicious home-cooked meal, it seems social media might be taking some of the fun out of entertaining.

Almost half of Brits (47%) say they feel more pressure to impress guests than they did five years ago, while 57% believe social media has raised expectations of what a night in should look like.

Between elaborate tablescapes, perfectly plated dishes and impressive three-course menus, it’s perhaps no surprise that some of us are feeling a little out of our depth.

Britain’s 10 most feared dishes to cook

So, which recipes are giving us the biggest kitchen nerves?

According to the Siemens research, lobster and soufflé share the top spot as Britain’s most intimidating dishes, with Beef Wellington, crème brûlée and perfectly cooked steak also making the list.

Here’s the full top 10:

1. Lobster and soufflé (joint first)
2. Beef Wellington
3. Crème brûlée
4. Steak cooked to the perfect doneness
5. Eggs Benedict with homemade hollandaise
6. Scallops
7. Korean curry
8. Duck breast
9. Risotto
10. Spring rolls

It’s easy to see why some of these dishes have earned their reputation.

Soufflés are notoriously temperamental, steak can go from perfectly pink to overdone in minutes, and getting a Beef Wellington just right requires some serious attention to timing.

But even seemingly straightforward favourites, such as risotto, can feel daunting when you’re cooking for guests.

The kitchen disasters we’re all guilty of

Of course, even the most confident home cooks have had their fair share of kitchen mishaps.

Whether it’s a cake that refuses to rise or a dinner that’s taken an unexpected turn, we’ve all experienced that moment of panic when things aren’t quite going to plan.

And according to the research, we’re surprisingly resourceful when it comes to covering our tracks.

Around one in three Brits admit to hiding a cooking disaster beneath sauce, icing or garnish, while 16% have passed off a mistake as entirely intentional.

Meanwhile, 37% have frantically Googled how to rescue a dish while it was already cooking, and almost a quarter (24%) have made an emergency phone call to a parent, partner or friend for advice.

Sound familiar?

When asked about their biggest cooking challenges, 33% said knowing exactly when food is cooked was a particular struggle, while 23% found getting temperatures right difficult.

Could smart kitchen technology make us braver cooks?

While a little practice goes a long way, the research suggests that having some extra help in the kitchen could encourage us to be more adventurous.

Almost three quarters of respondents said they’d be more willing to attempt a challenging dish if technology could help them achieve more consistent results.

And with smart kitchen appliances becoming increasingly sophisticated, there are now more ways to take some of the guesswork out of cooking.

For example, Siemens’ Camera in Oven technology uses an integrated AI camera to recognise up to 100 common dishes and automatically select the appropriate heating setting, temperature and cooking time.

Its fryingSensor technology also monitors and controls pan temperature, helping to prevent overheating – particularly handy when you’re trying to get that steak just right.

As Emma McLoughlin, Cooking Expert at Siemens, explains:

“Some of the dishes we love most can also be the ones we hesitate to cook ourselves.

From getting a steak just right to mastering a soufflé or coordinating a roast dinner, it’s often the small details around temperature, timing and technique that make people think twice.”

She adds: “Great cooking should feel inspiring, not intimidating, and we want our technology to give people the confidence to take on the dishes they’ve always wanted to master.”

Why cooking doesn’t have to be perfect

Of course, while clever appliances can certainly make life easier, there’s something to be said for embracing the occasional kitchen mishap.

After all, a dinner party should be about enjoying good food and spending time with friends, rather than worrying whether your soufflé has risen quite enough.

Chef and food creator Natalia Rudin, known as Nat’s Nourishments, agrees.

“Even as someone who cooks all the time, I know there are dishes that can feel daunting, especially when you’re making them for other people.

“But cooking doesn’t need to be complicated or perfect to be delicious and having a little extra support along the way can make trying something new feel much more achievable.”

“For me, cooking is about enjoying the process and experimenting.”

And that’s perhaps the best advice of all.

Whether you’re finally tackling that tricky recipe you’ve been saving or sticking with a tried-and-tested crowd-pleaser, the most important thing is enjoying the experience.

Because even if the soufflé collapses, there’s always dessert from the supermarket.

For more information on Siemens’ smart cooking appliances, visit Siemens Home.