Personally, a combined cooking/living space is desirable for exactly the reasons you mentioned. However a separate dining room, and perhaps another room for "entertaining" (think a "den" or similar room) is also desirable to me.
Personally, a combined cooking/living space is desirable for exactly the reasons you mentioned. However a separate dining room, and perhaps another room for "entertaining" (think a "den" or similar room) is also desirable to me.