Sunday roast is our favourite meal

Where’s the beef? A

new survey has shown that the traditional Sunday roast is the nation’s favourite weekly meal.

Bord Bia consumer research has shown the Sunday roast tops of the pile as the favourite meal occasion for 45% of those surveyed, comfortably topping other meal plans such as dinner parties, nights in, and romantic meals — the latter the favourite of just 13% of those questioned.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given our love of meat and spuds, the survey of 1,000 people in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford also showed that 39% of people said they could only cook between one and five meals.

Conversely, almost 75% of those surveyed said they wanted to expand their culinary repertoire, though 10% of men said they could cook more than 10 dishes, compared to just 2% of women.

Similarly, 36% of men “always” or “usually” plan meals in advance of grocery shopping, compared to 16% of women, while 60% of those questioned said they often substituted ingredients or guessed measurements when following recipes.

Family and friends come top of the pile when it comes to inspiration at 37%, ahead of the number who turn to cook books or who seek recipes online.

The survey was carried out to mark the launch of the Bord Bia Quality Kitchen, a website for recipe information and cooking advice

The new site comes with tips from six food ambassadors, including radio host Hector Ó hEochagáin, former Ireland rugby international David Wallace, and celebrity chefs Neven Maguire and Donal Skehan.

*facebook.com/bordbia and *bordbia.ie/qualitykitchen