My sims wont make meals

A few things off the top of my head you can try
-make sure there is nothing (no decor clutter, no old or unfinished meals for example) on the counters
-make sure the free space incorporates at least one full size, tile counter. Auto-counters OFF allows for some cool shapes and great looking kitchens, but Sims won’t cook on the not-a-full-tile end pieces.
-try a repair game in Origin
-make sure the Sim can route to the counter, this would probably result in the waving and calling ‘I can’t get there’ behaviour if at fault.

Is there at least one counter that is completely clear of everything, including small items that might not look like obstacles?
Are the counters turned the right way round to be able to get to the correct side of them?
Is anything in front of the counters that might block the sim's path?

I have exactly the same issue. I bought this game last week and now have a Sim who won't prepare food - he takes it out of the fridge and then puts it on the counter and stares at it. He is starving to death!