Also possible explanation: the quality of home-cooked meals and the ease of making them may have greatly increased since the '08 crisis.

Proposed mechanism: The Great Recession forced people to cook at home out of financial necessity. Home-chefs' skill and confidence increased (human capital). Rich-media internet video sites provided step-by-step visual instructions (lowered barriers to entry). People bought knives and slow cookers and avocado slicers (capital investment).

I sure wouldn't want to compete against that hypothetical!

...I wonder if there is any literature on this topic (would love a pointer!)