- Fabulous
- Food
WHAT A FEAST
But are you a 'laid back Larry' or a 'tidy up Tina' when it comes to a roast dinner?
- Steve Richmond
YOUNG people are evolving the traditional Sunday roast into a sharing phenomenon dubbed 'Friendsgiving' - where guests bring different elements of the meal.
A study of 2,000 adults found 60 per cent of Gen Z now enjoy roast dinners as a collective, with everyone chipping in rather than the host being burdened with everything.
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This is far higher than 45 to 54-year-olds, where just 28 per cent expect others to contribute to the meal.
The term 'Friendsgiving' originates from the US, where friends often get together for an extravagant meal ahead of the official Thanksgiving family dinner.
Now, the trend is taking root in the UK, with 53 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds already using the phrase 'friendsgiving' for a collective meal.
And four in 10 believe it is growing in popularity.
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Top reasons a roast dinner is seen as such an inclusive choice include having something for everyone to enjoy (34 per cent), and that it’s easier to share than most meals (38 per cent).
Aunt Bessie's, which commissioned the research, has also created a quiz to find out what kind of roast dinner attendee you are.
By answering a selection of questions, you can find out whether you're a 'laid back Larry' that lets the food gravitate to you or a 'tidy up Tina', who gets involved at every stage to help out the host.
Andy Dale, from the brand, said: “The roast dinner has always been a meal that brings families together, but now we’re seeing the next generation of roast dinner lovers use this meal to also catch up and connect with friends.
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“Sometimes it’s easy to roll through the weeks and months without coming together with those who are important to you."
But our research has certainly shown there’s a desire to do this more around the dinner table, especially as we enter the colder, darker winter months.”
The study also revealed those already hosting roast dinners for their friends do so an average of five times a year, with five also the ideal number of guests to invite.
But 13 per cent reckon the trend of ‘friendsgiving’ is likely to become a more common occurrence.
While the same percentage believe it will evolve in the coming years to include a fusion of cuisines.
When it comes to what goes on to the ‘friendsgiving’ dinner plate, roast potatoes reign supreme with 34 per cent saying it isn’t a roast without them.
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This is followed by the meat or alternative (21 per cent) and Yorkshire puddings (14 per cent).
The ‘Yorkshire Puds only go with beef’ debate has also been settled, with 83 per cent considering them a welcome addition to any roast, regardless of which meat is served.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, also found that 67 per cent of adults consider the roast dinner tradition - believed to go back to the 15th century - to be the best meal to bring people together.
Of those who don't agree, 37 per cent blamed the level of effort required to make the traditional Sunday dish for putting them off.
Andy Dale, from Aunt Bessie's, added: “Cooking a roast can sometimes feel like a daunting task – but it doesn’t have to be.
“We want to make the roast dinner experience as easy, relaxed, and tasty as possible.
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"All our products are made to be cooked from frozen which helps reduce the amount of time you’re in the kitchen meaning more time to enjoy the day with friends.”
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