The end of ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ will send Brits back into the kitchen
With Eat Out to Help Out coming to a close many Brits are predicted to return to entertaining and eating at home instead of eating out during the week. New research reveals that hosting is not everyone’s cup of tea.
A new study commissioned by Berry People, who supply premium Zara strawberries and Victoria blackberries to the nation’s supermarkets, reveals the habits of Brits when dining at home and what’s happening at the dinner table, especially when entertaining guests.
When it comes to hosting a dinner party at home, the nation is divided, the three cities least likely to want to host a dinner party:
- Gloucester 33%
- Lisburn 33%
- Chelmsford 37%
Compared with the top cities who still favour a dinner party:
- Kingston upon hull 79%
- Derry 73%
- Peterborough and Plymouth 75%
Of the 2,000 Brits surveyed many admitted to the pressure of cooking for friends – 59% worry about whether there’s enough food, over a third of us at 36% feel the pressure of being a good enough cook and the same again at 34% stressing about whether the guests will find their cooking boring.
We’re creatures of habit, despite thousands of adventurous recipes at our fingertips we’d still prefer to stick to our firm favourites with soup and starter topping the fail-safe dishes being served up…
- Prawn cocktail 28%
- Soup 28%
- Salad 20%
Least preferred dishes to make at home…
- Mussels 3%
- Filo Tart 4%
- Burrata 5%
In 2020 there are strong signs of couple equality happening within our dining at home experiences, with 70% of the next generation of cooks (18-24) saying they shop, prep and cook with their partners whereas just 38% of the 65+ age group said they cooked with a partner, leaving the cooking to the lady of the house.
Alexandra Dudley, Berry People chef, author and podcaster says, “Entertaining should be relaxed and enjoyable, not stuffy or boring. Something as simple as a starter can really elevate the evening from just supper with your mates to a bit of a party.
“As we head back to our kitchens no doubt there will be a nervousness of what to cook and how to impress discerning guests. Get creative by mixing new flavours together and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results! I tend to make the most of the seasons and local produce. For instance using fresh berries in a Zara strawberry salsa or spicy prawns with Maravilla raspberry jam, even a Victoria blackberry and brie filo tart. Berry filo tarts can be so simple and packed with flavour – they are certainly not a dish to be feared!”
Rob Harrison, Commercial Director at Berry People said: “Lockdown gave us an opportunity to experiment in the kitchen and make us appreciate spending time with friends whilst broadening our repertoire into new meals and ingredients.”
“With get togethers even more popular post-lockdown and 58% of those surveyed stating that following the latest Coronavirus crisis health warnings it’s made them think twice about unhealthy dinner party hosting habits, berries can be a healthy and versatile way to add more nutrients into every dish, and not just desserts!”
