Sims can't make meals

I doubt it is the cabinets. Have just completed yet another test, with the fridge and counter in a totally open area, no cabinets, overhead lights, or anything else even remotely close to the test site. Instructed sim to make a meal, sim dutifully took ingredients out of fridge, began preparation, and quit about half way through, giving the tracking error as before. Directed sim to resume, and got the message again. 2 days ago at the original location did the test, got the usual results. That time sim went to fridge, got out more ingredients, and proceeded to make a salad in two stages, first half in the corner between fridge and the failed site, then took half done salad to the opposite end of the counter area and finished, again in a corner - the one between the counters and stove. In both locations there were cabinets above the site of the successful salad making. It appears that: a) there is a problem with food making now, b) the overhead cabinets are innocent. Am not amused with this latest example of something that used to work now being broken.