Rising food prices are threatening to consign one of Britain’s most cherished culinary traditions to history, according to new research.
Half of the population now worry that the classic Sunday roast could disappear from family tables altogether.
The survey of 2,000 people by Iceland Foods revealed that nearly half (48 per cent) intend to prepare fewer roast dinners over the coming year as grocery costs continue to climb.
With the typical cost per person now standing at £14.49, a household of four faces a bill approaching £58 simply for ingredients to put together the beloved weekend meal.
Younger consumers are bearing the brunt of these increases, with Gen Z spending up to £18 per head on roast ingredients – pushing a meal for four to as much as £72.
This financial pressure means 57 per cent of Gen Z respondents said they would be cutting back on the traditional dish in the months ahead.
Beyond the supermarket checkout, other factors are driving families away from the kitchen.
A third of those surveyed described gathering all the necessary ingredients as too stressful
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FlickrA third of those surveyed described gathering all the necessary ingredients as too stressful, while 42 per cent cited rising energy bills as a reason for rustling up a roast less frequently.
Some 62 per cent expressed sadness that younger generations may miss out on experiencing regular Sunday roasts.
In response to these pressures, Iceland is introducing two ‘Easter Dinner in a Box’ bundles designed to make the tradition more accessible.
Lauren Metcalfe, Frozen Category Director at Iceland Foods, said: “The Sunday roast is one of Britain’s most loved traditions and we’d hate to see it disappear from dinner tables.
“With energy bills and food costs rising we know families are feeling the pressure, so we wanted to make it more affordable and easier to keep the Great British roast alive.
“Our Easter Dinner in a Box takes away the stress of shopping for each ingredient and gives families everything they need to enjoy a proper roast together”.
The traditional English breakfast is also undergoing a change among Gen Z foodies
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GETTYFurther research by Merchant Gourmet found Gen Z are simply ditching home-cooked meals altogether in favour of pricey takeaways and grab-and-go supermarket sandwiches.
A poll of 2,000 adults revealed that once the evening starts to slip away, 35 per cent of those under 28 will order in, while 29 per cent settle for ready-to-eat snacks and sandwiches.
Six in 10 believe they have less time than ever to cook dinner from scratch, with 47 per cent saying they have less than 30 minutes on a typical weekday evening to prepare a meal.
As a result, 31 per cent of those struggling for time are turning to quick and easy ready meals, meaning more demanding meals like the beloved Sunday roast are cast to the wayside.
It’s not just the Sunday Roast under threat, as another of Britain’s podium dishes – the traditional English breakfast – is also undergoing a change among Gen Z foodies.
An EDF Sunday Saver survey quizzed the nation about their fry-up habits and found that the dish still reigns as a staple in people’s homes, but that it is becoming more diverse and experimental than ever.
Gen Z are trading traditional black pudding for trendy additions such as avocado, kimchi, and smoked salmon, with a mere 13 per cent of foodies aged under 29 including the sausage compared to a traditional third of boomers.
