A staggering 45% of Brits still rely on their family members to assist with cooking and preparing food, according to new research.
Even Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge admitted to ‘stealing’ his mum’s famous beef bolognese recipe, demonstrating that even top chefs borrow a trick or two from family.
Kerridge is working with kitchen appliance brand NEFF, who comissioned the study, for their Hidden Heroes campaign. The campaign aims to shines a light on the unsung moments in the kitchen that make hosting truly memorable.
Kerridge said: “I think it’s brilliant to see that so many of us share the same kitchen quirks and mishaps – whether it’s dropping food on the floor or ‘borrowing’ a family recipe.
“Cooking should be fun, and it’s those little imperfections that make it special. I’ve definitely had my fair share of disasters, and yes, I’ve been known to take credit for my mum’s beef bolognese.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about creating great food and memories with the people you love, no matter how you get there.”
Interestingly, while respondents cherish hand-me-down dishes, 62% enjoy giving these recipes a personal twist and a cheeky 11% of young Brits confessed to serving up a family recipe and passing it off as their own.
On the flip side, 43% confess to having “stirred the pot” by altering a family recipe without informing anyone.
When it comes to preparation, older Brits appear more relaxed about their kitchen blunders. With 60% of those over 65 saying they wouldn’t feel guilty about a cooking mishap.
However, 57% of guilt-stricken Gen Zers would be left ruminating over their errors. This pressure intensifies, when cooking a beloved family dish, with 66% concerned that tampering with it could ignite a full-scale family food fight.
Yet, when things go awry in the kitchen, parents remain the ultimate culinary safety net – with 33% of Brits dialling mum and dad for assistance amidst cooking chaos.