Aspiring cooks across the country can’t wait to host their nearest and dearest in their homes with more than one in five Brits (22%) planning a dinner party in the first week of restrictions easing, according to new research.
The study from margarine brand FLORA reveals that the nation can’t wait to get back around the dining table, and it’s Gen Z who are leading the charge, with almost half (49%) planning to throw a dinner party within the first week of groups of up to six people being allowed to meet indoors. Almost two thirds (62%) of Brits plan to do so within the first month of restrictions easing on May 17th.
The data shows that there’s a wide array of tasty meals on the menu, with a classic roast dinner the top choice main meal (25%). Garlic bread is the favourite starter (29%), with prawn cocktail (17%) and smoked salmon (17%) being other popular choices. After a roast, curry (17%) and a burger and chips (15%) are the favourite main dishes.
For those with a sweet tooth, the number one dessert is cheesecake, which over two fifths (42%) will be serving. Brownies/chocolate cake (25%) and crumble (20%) will also be rounding off many post-lockdown dinner parties.
Top five starters, mains and desserts that will be served at post-lockdown dinner parties:
| Rank | Starter | % | Main | % | Dessert | % |
| 1. | Garlic bread | 29% | Roast dinner | 25% | Cheesecake | 42% |
| 2. | Prawn cocktail | 17% | Curry | 17% | Brownies/chocolate cake | 25% |
| 3. | Smoked salmon | 17% | Burger & chips | 15% | Crumble | 20% |
| 4. | Bruschetta | 15% | Steak and chips | 11% | Cupcakes | 15% |
| 5. | Soup | 14% | Fajitas/tacos | 10% | Profiteroles | 14% |
Catherine Lloyd, Marketing Director UK&I at Upfield, producers of Flora, commented: “There’s something special about having your loved ones round one table, eating home-made food, which is why many of us have said that we’re going to be cooking a classic roast dinner for our first post-lockdown dinner party. It’s also great to see that many are looking to spice up their gatherings, whether it be with cooking new recipes or even hosting their first plant-based dinner party! As vegan dishes become more popular and Brits look to cook plant-based dinners for their guests, Flora is the perfect versatile ingredient to help craft plenty of tasty meals.”
The study also shows people are planning to go the extra mile for their first dinner party out of lockdown, with many trying out a new dish (14%), arranging entertainment such as live music or after-dinner games (11%) and even hosting a fancy dress dinner party (8%). Others are simply looking forward to seeing family (19%) or friends (16%) round the table.
Catherine Lloyd added: “As we edge closer to being reunited with our friends and family around the dinner table, eating tasty food together, we wanted to find out exactly what the nation will be looking to cook and what lengths we’ll be going to for that first supper together. Whether it be trying plant-based dishes, hosting a fancy dress dinner party or improving their home baking for the event, everyone is giving it a go! We love the thought of Flora being involved with such great moments.”
With just days to go until the nation are allowed to invite loved ones into their homes, over half (52%) say that dinner parties are the best way to reunite with friends and family post-lockdown, with a further 37% looking forward to showing off the new cooking skills they learned during lockdown. Almost a third (29%) also look forward to hosting so that they can show off their home to their family and friends.
Whilst many are looking forward to the occasion, not everyone is feeling as confident, with almost a third (31%) saying they have forgotten how to socialise since lockdown, whereas others are worried they’ve can’t remember how to host a dinner party (10%).
To check out FLORA’s range of spreads and to search for effortless, yet impressive dinner party recipes, please click here: https://www.flora.com/en-gb/flora
