BRITS FAVOUR PATRIOTIC RECIPES DURING EUROS AND SHUN RIVAL NATIONS CUISINE

• One third (32%) of Brits would shun cuisines from regions their team is competing against
• Three quarters (73%) of football fans said they would shun cuisines from other nationalities on match day as a sign of patriotism
• New research from HelloFresh found a +15% surge in orders for British cuisines vs last year

With the Euro’s upon us, leading recipe box delivery service HelloFresh has revealed more than a quarter¹ (27%) of Brits said that buying food to eat while watching football was one of the things they enjoyed most about the whole matchday experience. However, almost a third (32%) admit that they are likely to shun or avoid cuisines from regions their team is competing against.

When asked why, almost half (49%) admitted they thought it was bad luck, while three quarters (73%) said it’s because they felt patriotic. New sales data shared by HelloFresh backs this, showing a (+15%) surge in recent orders for British cuisines vs last year, when Italian food was favoured during the off season.

In the run up to the first England, Scotland and Wales matches on 12 June, the Outer Hebrides² appeared to order the most British inspired meals, with 57% of their HelloFresh boxes featuring British recipes, while people in Orkney showed no signs of patriotism with just 17%.

The contrast in preference shown by the Scots meant that ultimately, the Welsh are the most patriotic nation when it comes to their food choices, with an average of 33% of orders made up of Fish & Chips, Coronation Chicken Curry & Shepherds Pie.

This is in line with national data, confirming that (54%) of Brits deemed the likes of family favourite fish and chips, or traditional Cornish pasty (28%) pie as the perfect patriotic foods to enjoy while watching the match. Meanwhile, one in ten (15%) said they’re partial to enjoying a beef wellington during the match.

Andre Dupin, Head Chef for HelloFresh UK commented: “As experts in home cooking we understand the important role food has to play in key social occasions and are delighted to offer a wide array of international cuisines  across our weekly menu of over 35 recipes, to ensure HelloFresh customers can enjoy the Euros whichever team they support.”

The top 10 best foods Brits deem as being good to eat during the match include:

1. Pizza (60%)
2. Fish & Chips (54%)
3. Burger & Chips (48%)
4. Fried chicken (39%)
5. Sausage roll (34%)
6. Fajitas + Steak and Ale pie (28%)
7. Pasta (27%)
8. Lasagne + Shepherd’s Pie (24%)
9. Coronation Chicken Curry (20%)
10. Beef Wellington (15%)

For more insights on the nation’s cooking habits, please visit hellofresh.co.uk.