Honoring Shabbat begins on Friday

Welcoming Shabbat is welcoming a queen. We honor the day (kavod) by preparing the home, the meals, and ourselves starting Friday. The Talmud relates that the greatest Sages made a point of preparing something with their own hands.

Rava would salt the fish himself in honor of Shabbat.

Source: Talmud Shabbat 119a; Shulchan Aruch Orach Chayim 250