I'd fall into the 50/50 group on this one.  When cooking for a group of more than 5 people, I'd say cooking over a fire is just about a necessity.  Besides, there are many to share in the camp chores.  However, I find that for smaller crews, 1 or 2 backpacking stoves is all you need.

Cooking over fire certainly is a dying art form.  You'd be surprised at how many boy scouts go to the BW & Quet. without ever having cooked on a fire.  Sure, they can build a roaring bonfire pretty quickly, but most don't know how to tend a good cooking fire worth a darn.  

There's just something so amazingly relaxing about taking your time to prepare a fire and cooking over it.  But then... I rarely draw dish duty...