The purpose of this study was to examine the recognition about food preparation and cooking ability of college students majoring in food & nutrition and others. Data were collected from 729 students residing in Chonbuk area by using a self-administered questionnaire. Food and nutrition major students got significantly higher scores than non-major. ones in the recognition of significance and interest in cooking activity. Both food and nutrition major and non-major female students recognized the necessity of cooking ability than non-major male students. Sixty eight percent of the subjects answered that they have aided often his or her family to cook at home. The students majoring in food and nutrition were interested in various fields such as Korean, western style and fusion food. Most of the respondents teamed how to cook from family at home; however major students have learned cooking not only from family but also from various channels such as culinary school, TV and books. The practical use of knowledge about food science was very low in most respondents. The cooking methods used frequently were sauteing, broiling and deep-fat-frying. This study showed that both food and nutrition major and non-major students recognized the necessity of cooking ability and had interests in cooking activity, but cooking ability of non-major ones was significantly lower than that of major students, and the traditional consciousness that women have to take charge of cooking at home tends to be decreasing.