Over half of Brits will not be holidaying abroad this year due to the cost-of-living crisis – but 19% of those still plan to cook their favourite holiday dishes at home, to make it feel like they are away.
A quarter of holidaymakers say that the local food is the most important factor for them when deciding where to book a trip, according to a poll of 2,000 Brits, who have travelled abroad.
And 16% admit they have visited a destination purely based on the food – with 48% attempting to recreate their favourite foreign dishes once they have got home.
Italian is the favourite cuisine to try and replicate on home soil, according to 42% of those polled – with 34% having tried to whip up a particular pasta dish.
This was followed by Spanish food for 37%, with three in ten attempting a Spanish-style tapas in their own kitchen – while a third of Brits favour Greek food, such as a Greek salad or mezze feast.
Meanwhile, Chinese-style chicken, and French toast, have been the inspiration for 16% of those who have tried some post-holiday cooking.
And of those who plan to stay at home this summer, and tuck into their favourite foreign dishes at their own dining table, nearly three-quarters (72%) say they will spend up to three hours in the kitchen, making sure the meal is perfect.
A spokesman for brioche brand, St Pierre, which commissioned the research, said: “Food is all about engaging the senses, and as such, it’s central to memory – which is why it 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% 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.”
To further enhance the holiday atmosphere upon returning home, 12% play music from that country, and 8% decorate their dining rooms to make the experience more authentic.
And 72% of those, who are staying at home this summer, will spend more on their food shop to make it feel more like a holiday, while 44% will abandon a diet in order to indulge.
When ranking the importance of food in planning a holiday, it comes out ahead of how long it takes to get to a destination (17%), the activities available (12%), and the language spoken (5%).
It also emerged that 32% have turned to the internet to search for UK ingredients that taste the same as exotic ones they’ve had while away – and 11% have even used a translator to make sure a recipe they’ve found is truly authentic.
More than a third (35%) have even visited a specialist supplier in the UK, to make sure they have the exact right ingredients to prepare their favourite holiday dish, with one in six of these travelling up to 20 miles to do so – and 37% paying more for these specialist ingredients.
St Pierre’s spokesman added: “Whether on holiday abroad or on home soil, 45% 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%).
“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.”
TOP 10 CUISINES BRITS HAVE TRIED TO REPLICATE AT HOME:
- Italian
- Spanish
- Greek
- Chinese
- French
- American
- Indian
- Thai
- Turkish
- Tex-Mex
TOP 10 HOLIDAY DISHES BRITS HAVE TRIED TO REPLICATE AT HOME:
- Pasta
- Pizza
- Tapas
- Greek salad
- Greek mezze
- Continental breakfast (croissants, waffles, and pastries)
- Thai curry
- Chinese chicken
- French toast
- Americana-style burgers and hot dogs
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