Watching several cookery programmes a week, having a detailed knowledge of herbs and knowing the right temperature to serve cheeses all feature in the top 20. As does having a wish list of all the restaurants you want to visit, a subscription to a food magazine and keeping 30-plus spices in your kitchen cupboard. Being able to correctly pronounce the word crudités – and knowing what crudités are – also suggest you know your food.
The research was commissioned by Estrella Damm ahead of their Top 100 Auction, which is set to auction off experiences with top chefs to raise money for the charity Hospitality Action.
These foodie experiences will help raise funds for pubs and restaurants recovering from the financial losses of COVID-19.
The study found more than half of adults consider themselves to be a foodie – someone with a sophisticated love of food.
James Healey, Estrella Damm UK country manager said: “As the research shows, most of the UK consider themselves food buffs.
“We want to do our part to ensure the industry can continue to give everyone a chance to experience the finest food.
“We hope the Estrella Damm Top 100 Auction will showcase the best restaurant experiences while raising critical funds for the hospitality industry.
“The auction will mean more of us will be able to embrace our foodie sides – and get the chance to learn new things about cuisine, while also supporting an industry in need.”
The study also found going on holiday just for the food and being able to chop ingredients really quickly – “like they do on TV” – also indicate someone is a foodie.
Knowing the difference between sushi and sashimi, owning a pestle and mortar, and being able to use chopsticks suggest as much as well.
It also emerged many of those polled have culinary wish lists – including restaurants they’d like to visit, foods they’d like to try and countries they’d like to visit for the cuisine.
In a similar vein, the research also found 51 percent of adults “love” learning new things about cuisine – such as how it is prepared.
As a result, 15 percent have been on a cookery course of some sort – which might explain why 48 percent claim to be a good cook.
But many of those polled are more than happy to be cooked for – particularly when it’s an especially upmarket meal, with 53 percent saying that eating out is their passion.
This love for food extends to supporting the food industry too – with 69 percent believing this sector needs public support more ever before.
In fact, seven in 10 feel so strongly about this that they go out of their way to eat at independent restaurants – with the specific aim of helping the food industry.
Although, they also opt for these venues because the food tastes “better” (41 percent) and because staff are “more passionate and knowledgeable” about food (31 percent).
And because the service is of a “higher” standard (28 percent).
The Estrella Damm study carried out through OnePoll found consumers usually dine out twice a month – spending over £638 in total per person during a typical year.
The aspects of eating out those polled like most is the anticipation of your meal being brought to you, not having to cook and being sociable.
And their top three favourite cuisines are Italian, British, and Chinese – however, this doesn’t mean they aren’t open to trying new things.
Forty percent revealed they’ll give dishes they’ve never had before a try wherever possible.
While a quarter would be prepared to travel ‘hundreds’ of miles for the ‘perfect’ meal.
James Healey added: “More than half of those polled wish they could do more to support the food and drink industry.
“Up until recently, they’ve been limited in what they can do to help, but our hope is that the auction we are holding will enable the nation’s foodies to make a difference.”
Top 20 signs you’re a foodie
1. You genuinely enjoy cooking
2. You don’t rely on recipes to make meals
3. You enjoy experimenting in the kitchen
4. You know how to remove the bones from a fish
5. You know where different cuts of meat come from
6. You go to great lengths to make meals as authentic as possible
7. You have an encyclopaedic knowledge of herbs
8. You know how to make pasta from scratch
9. You actually use the cookbooks you own
10. You avoid ready meals like the plague
11. You know precisely how long to cook a steak depending on preference
12. You know precisely what temperature certain cheeses should be served at
13. You avoid ready-made sauces like the plague
14. You have written your own recipes
15. You have in excess of 30 spices in your kitchen cupboard
16. Your kitchen is their favourite room in the house
17. You make your own marmalade, jams, and pickles
18. You go on holiday for the food
19. You can chop food really quickly – like they do on TV
20. You have five or more different oils in your cupboard