Sheffield has been identified as the UK city with the most uninspiring evening meals, according to a new survey. The research, which polled 2,000 adults across 12 major cities, found that 52% of Sheffield residents feel their meals lack adventure and imagination.
Survey reveals eating habits
Spaghetti Bolognese, jacket potatoes and curry were among the most frequently prepared evening meals, while 33% of respondents said they tended to stick to familiar dishes. Some 46% admitted to being stuck in a rut when deciding what to cook for dinner, and 22% described their meals as either not very flavourful or not flavourful at all.
Despite this, 28% said they would be willing to try Caribbean jerk chicken for the first time, and 22% were open to sampling West African jollof rice. Additionally, 31% said they would try unfamiliar fruits and vegetables such as jackfruit, while 26% were open to eating seafood they had never previously tried.
Barriers to culinary experimentation
The findings suggest a gap between wanting to try new flavours and experimenting with them at home, as 43% were more adventurous with their food choices when eating out, while only 8% actively experimented with new flavours and ingredients at home.
Furthermore, 21% said they lacked confidence in the kitchen, while lack of time (38%), the cost of ingredients (31%) and lack of inspiration (22%) were cited as barriers to making evening meals more exciting. When surveyed about which meal they would choose to eat for the rest of their lives, respondents selected roast dinner, fish and chips, and pizza as their top three picks.
Seasoning habits and changing tastes
The research was commissioned by world food brand Tropical Sun Foods to mark its 30th anniversary. Emma Macorison from the brand said: "We Brits have a reputation for bland food, and the poll suggests many of us are playing it safe, relying on the same meals and ingredients on rotation."
Regarding the spice rack, salt (80%) and pepper (73%) proved to be the most widely used seasonings in British cupboards, with paprika (63%) close behind. Chinese five spice (30%), jerk seasoning (15%) and harissa (15%) were less common.
However, the study, conducted through OnePoll.com, also revealed that 37% of people felt they had become more adventurous with food compared to their younger years. Additionally, 30% said they prepared a meal from a cuisine they had not grown up eating at least a few times a month.
Macorison added: "I remember trying spaghetti Bolognese for the first time in the 1990s. Now it's one of the dinners people cook most often. As the brand celebrates 30 years, we want to keep that sense of discovery alive, whether that means cooking jollof rice for the first time or trying a new seasoning in an old favourite."
