UK’s Summer Eating Habits

Millions of Brits replicate their favourite holiday dishes – like pasta, tapas and continental breakfasts – after returning home. A survey of 2,000 holidaymakers found 48 per cent who have holidayed abroad have tried to produce delicacies like French cheese boards or Mediterranean mezze feasts with family and friends.

UK Summer Eating Habits Consumer Research

On this UK Summer Eating Habits Consumer Research, it emerged 37 per cent are willing to spend more on special ingredients to recreate favourite holiday meals with the most popular cuisines being Italian (42 per cent), Spanish (37 per cent) and Greek (33 per cent).

Chinese and French foods were also favourited by 20 per cent of all those polled.

When asked what lengths they have gone to in order to recreate culinary holiday memories, 35 per cent have visited a specialist supplier with one in six of those who have done this travelling 20 miles or more to find what they were looking for. A spokesperson for leading brioche brand, St Pierre, said “Food is all about engaging the senses and as such, it’s central to memory which is why it is is one of the best things about going on holiday for half of Brits.

“It’s no surprise that holidaymakers returning from foreign climes use food to transport them back to happy memories and an authentic dining experience can add so much to a family get together. And with 53 per cent of Brits not taking a holiday abroad this year due to the cost of living, authentic ingredients and recipes for at-home dining will be more popular than ever.”

In a bid to further enhance the holiday atmosphere upon returning home, 12 per cent play music from that country within their home and eight per cent decorate their dining rooms to make the experience more authentic. And almost three quarters (72 per cent) will spend up to three hours in the kitchen to recreate favourite dishes.

The research from OnePoll.com also revealed that of those planning a staycation, 19 per cent will replicate their favourite holiday meals regardless of being on home soil. Furthermore, 72 per cent of Brits staying home this summer will spend more on their food shop to make it feel more like a holiday, while 44 per cent will abandon a diet in order to indulge.

When it comes to holiday destinations, foodie Brits follow their appetite, with 16 per cent admitting they have travelled somewhere purely for the food. In fact, for a quarter of Brits, food is the most important element to consider when it comes to choosing a holiday, coming out ahead of how long it takes to get there (17 per cent) the activities you can partake in (12 per cent) and the language spoken (5 per cent).

In terms of specific dishes holiday makers have tried to recreate, 34 per cent of those who have done so have attempted a particular pasta. Exactly three in 10 have put together a Spanish-style tapas, and 18 per cent have attempted a Thai green or red curry.

Nearly a fifth (16 per cent) have made French toast, while the same amount have done Chinese chicken. Just under a third (32 per cent) have Googled which UK ingredients taste the same as exotic ones that they’ve had while away. More than one in 10 (11 per cent) have even used a translator to make sure a recipe they’ve found is truly authentic.

St Pierre’s spokesperson added: “Whether on holiday abroad or on home soil, 45 per cent of Brits admit they change their diet when the weather is nice and recreating food to trick ourselves into thinking we’re on holiday is already a summer habit for one in five (19 per cent).

“Recreating just a few elements of a favourite trip can be enough to mentally take you away which is why for many, it’s worth spending a little extra to transport us back to our favourite destinations.”

For recipe inspiration to enjoy an authentic taste of France at home this summer, head to our rcipe page below