The UK has some famous dishes, from the full fry-up at breakfast to a roast dinner with all the trimmings. The meals are replicated in pubs all over the world, but how does the country prepare its own food? Let’s look at the stats on British eating habits.
Kitchen knowledge
The furniture company, Hammonds, conducted a survey to find out more about Brits and their cooking habits. They asked 2,000 people and it was revealed that 1 in 50 of them didn’t know how to cook a single meal. Believe it or not, 25% of Brits admitted they couldn’t make beans on toast. However, with age comes experience.
The survey showed the older generation feels more comfortable in the kitchen. 93% of the over 65s knew how to make simple meals. Whereas only 5% of 18-24 year-olds said the same. Hope is not lost for the next generation; they just need to practice more.
British eating habits: Favourite foods
It begs the question: what sort of food do people in the UK like to eat? The survey showed the nation’s most popular dish was a roast dinner, with one in five people naming it as their favourite.
Despite the fact that 40% of them didn’t know how to make one. Curry, pizza, spaghetti bolognese and shepherd’s pie were also among the favorites.
The UK’s food scene has become much more cosmopolitan during the past few decades. However, if you look at the country’s food history over the years, it’s fascinating to see how families favor similar comfort foods. That’s in the past and present. Here’s more about British eating habits as they relate to cooking.
Cook more
Are you reading this and thinking you need to cook more? There are some skills you should familiarize yourself.
There are common food questions that clearly quite a lot of people in the UK don’t know the answer to. From boiling pasta to baking a potato.
There’s no shame if you don’t know much about cooking. Everyone has to start somewhere. Start small and go from there.
British eating habits on Christmas Day
Of course, this is one big food event coming up to take note of: Christmas dinner. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, it means fewer families will be getting together than usual. Some folks won’t have the option of going out for a meal, either.
It could mean people who have never had to do the dinner before have to take on the responsibility. If you’re one of those, take deep breaths. There are lots of shortcuts you can follow to make your life much easier. Also don’t be afraid to ask your family for their tips and tricks, too.
Cooking is a key life skill. We need to feed ourselves, but also it’s a great chance to prepare dishes for the people you love as well. Do you have a go-to dish for the kitchen?
We love love food and eating. My husband and I work throughout the day and at 5:00 we meet up in the kitchen and cook together with music on and a glass of wine. It’s our time to catch up with each other relax and be creative together. 🦋
How wonderful that the kitchen brings you two together. I love that! Thank you for sharing it xx
It’s scary to think about people not being able to cook for themselves. While we do eat out, probably too often, I know it’s neither as healthy or as cost-effective as eating at home.
It’s cheaper to eat at home in most cases, as you say, Amy. I hope you have a nice Christmas xx
Oh there’s nothing like a roast dinner. I have lived in Canada for almost 50 years, but that memory of growing up in England is one that stays with me. I love making a roast beef dinner with mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. Yum!
I agree with what you said about British cooking becoming more cosmopolitan over the decades. I had never eaten spaghetti until we moved to Canada. Growing up in England, meals were all about “meat and two veg”, and curry was something you got at the local chippie. Good to see that has changed.
True about traditional British diets being meat heavy. My dad has grown to like more vegetables over the years. It’s been a process!
Ha ha. My husband is the same. Vegetable? What’s a vegetable? 😂😂😂
Hahaha! ;) !!
Amazing, but not surprising. There is so much prepared food available, and people seem so pressed for time. I do know people are doing more cooking since Covid, hopefully that may continue.
Yes, it would be interesting to know if cooking skills increase in post-COVID times as opposed to before it.
I’m sure baking skills did as witnessed by some younger members of my own family with took up bread making!
Baking has certainly become popular during COVID-19 times!
A roast dinner from scratch, curry, and Shepherds pie are my favorites. Mine, not anyone else’s.
Shepherd’s Pie is definitely a personal one as there’s so many varieties of it. My mom adds shredded carrots to hers. Other people add corn. Now I want that for dinner!
We have our vegetables totally separate.
I also like a nice piece of bread with it :)
My husband and I cook every meal together. Well, not quite together. I stay out of the way while he prepares his part and he stays out of the way while I do my part. We found out “too many cooks spoil the broth” really early in marriage.
We never eat out so we have had no problem keeping our distance. And I am really good at using left overs. I just put it on our plates.
Of course when we had two teenagers ….. it was a different story. Practically had to prepare three meals.
Thanks for your helpful hints. ;)
It’s wonderful to hear about how you and your husband have worked out who cooks what and each do your part to contribute to the meal. My husband loves to cook and teach me new meals :)
We pretty much eat the same thing over and over. We do plan our meals ….. but then forget what we planned. lol age!!
Ohhh between the two of you hopefully you remember some of those planned meals though! <3
We remember the plan. We just forget to defrost the ingredients or buy them at the store.
Good thing we love peanut butter.
Haha I understand. I get busy writing and forget about the time some days and, well, it’s a peanut butter sandwiches for lunch in that case ;)
Only 5% of young people are comfortable cooking basic meals? That is quite a shocking statistic, and although takeaway is good as it supports businesses etc, It is also important to be able to cook a nice meal :)
Exactly! Making basic meals is an important life skill. Have a nice weekend, Victoria Rose :)
Interesting post Christy!
Thanks Dr. A! Have a nice weekend ahead xx