New research commissioned by Loyd Grossman Sauces released today reveals that
three in five people (60 per cent) would happily swap their nights out in favour of cooking dinner for family and friends - making staying-in more popular than ever. This, and the current economic climate could indicate why nearly half of us (45 per cent) are eating out less than this time last year.
However, despite the desire to entertain friends one in four Brits (25 per cent) seem to lack confidence in the kitchen with over a quarter (26 per cent) of us not entertaining for up to six months at a time for fear of culinary skills being judged.
The high cost of food for large numbers (26 per cent) and not knowing what to cook for guests (17 per cent) are the biggest woes we face when deciding to entertain for our loved ones. And, with a huge three in ten admitting to not having any dishes in our cooking repertoire and nearly half of us having less than six ‘standby dishes’ it’s no wonder the thought of cooking for a group of friends strikes fear into the heart for many.
Meanwhile, a night in cooking up a quick and easy feast for friends can actually be far less stressful than a night out, with no worries over splitting the bill, arranging a baby-sitter and incorrect food orders being served. As a result, we should stop feeling overwhelmed at the thought of entertaining, and instead, dust off the cookery books, dig out the cookery sauces, prepare fresh ingredients and whip up a home-cooked meal to set to impress!
Loyd Grossman, comments; “You can easily prepare a restaurant meal in the comfort of your home and with the economic climate as it is today, now is the perfect time to stay in and entertain family and friends without worrying about the financial implications. Preparing a simple, yet delicious dish such as a Bolognese or a curry is certain to build confidence in the kitchen and at the same time ‘wow’ guests.
He continues: “With one in four (24 per cent) of us claiming that we are likely to be home without anything to do during the week, what better time to re-introduce the big night in”
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