Ha ha. Yes that would be an interactive experience
Cooking smells do bring them out.
Sometimes they do just sit in the playpen and don't know what to do. If they've had enough and want to go back to their cage, I've found they tend to sit in a corner or start digging at a corner. Or just disappear inside a hide.
Their personalities vary. Both our Syrians have seen a playpen as something to try and escape from and if they give up and realise they can't escape they can just sit. I hide a trail of treats and food to be foraged which can perk them up - but then when they've filled their pouches they want to go back to the cage and depouch.
Our last Syrian Charlie was quite a lazy hamster really - he would often just go to sleep when out of the cage!
The main thing about the playpen is he can get used to you and get used to being handled etc.