TABLES HAVE TURNED: Dinner Parties are Back as Brits Choose Home-Cooked Feasts Over Restaurant Nights Out
Forget expensive restaurant bills, long table waits and the scramble to find childcare; it’s now all about putting screens away and gathering round the dinner table to enjoy home-cooked dishes with friends
● Over 1 in 3 (36%) Brits are now hosting a dinner party at least once a month
● Close to 1 in 5 (17%) under 34-year-olds say they have seen a rise in themed parties with 22% enjoying a crafting activities after the meal, and a quarter (24%) of under 44-year-olds saying they spend time decorating the table, known as ‘tablescaping’
● Almost half of Brits (46%) make a conscious effort to put their phone away at a dinner party and live in the moment, rising to almost 3 in 5 (56%) in Gen Z
● British food is still the most popular cuisine to cook at home, but Brits are experimenting more with international flavours. Soy sauce, followed by sweet chilli and Indian curry topped the table for the most popular condiments, spices and sauces.
● M&S Food ‘Taste of the Nation Report’ is released to mark the launch of the upgraded Slow Cooked range with global dishes reflecting new British palates.
Wednesday 5th February 2025: When you think of dinner parties, you might have flashbacks to elaborate menus, formal table settings, prawn cocktails and more than a touch of kitsch. The good news is, the Great British dinner party, fit for the 21st century, is making a comeback with a modern makeover. And it’s Gen Z which is turning the tables on the traditional format.
According to new research released today by M&S Food to mark the launch of its newly upgraded Slow Cooked range, the dinner party, once reserved for special occasions, has morphed into a regular ritual for many Brits, with more than 1 in 3 (36%) saying they host a soiree at least once a month, rising to over 1 in 2 (56%) of those under 24-years-old.
THE TABLES HAVE TURNED
Whilst the cost of eating out was cited as the reason for hosting at home (28%), with childcare a key factor for 35–44-year-olds (17%), there seems to be more to the resurrection of the dinner party phenomenon. In fact, the dinner party seems to be a bastion of face-to-face social interaction, with almost half (46%) of Brits making a conscious effort to put their phone away and be in the moment, and almost 1 in 5 of those under 34-years-old (17%) abandoning online connections to meet new people at a dinner party. Perhaps surprisingly, Gen Z had the best mobile phone etiquette (57%), compared to just 36% of the over 65’s who did not partake in the no-phone zone.
Interestingly, 18-24s are also less likely to drink alcohol at a dinner compared to over-65s (17% vs 27%). One of the reasons could be the rise of the ‘school night’ midweek hosting, with over half of (58%) 18–24-year-olds regularly throwing dinner parties on weekdays.
Aesthetics are still important, but the focus has shifted from formal presentation to creating an inviting, personal atmosphere that fosters real connection and fun. The research reveals how under 34-year-olds (17%) said they have seen a rise in themed parties with over 1 in 5 (22%) opting to do a crafting activity like crafting after the meal. Presentation is still key though, with almost a quarter (24%) of under 44-year-olds saying they spend time on decorating the table, known as ‘tablescaping’.
Dinner parties are no longer reserved for birthdays or major milestones. Events such as ‘Galentine’s Day’ is a growing trend, with 1 in 10 25–34-year-olds celebrating the non-official holiday typically marked on 13th February, the day before Valentine’s Day, which is dedicated to celebrating friendships among women.
CHANGING TASTES OF THE NATION
The ‘Taste of the Nation’ research shows that Brits’ dining habits are evolving, with younger generations embracing global cuisines such as Japanese, African, and Korean food, while traditional British food remains a firm favourite among over 65s. British food is still the most popular but people are experimenting more with international flavours, particularly those under 34: for them, peri peri is more popular than pesto. Soy sauce, followed by sweet chilli and Indian curry topped the table for the most popular condiments, spices and sauces as almost 1 in 4 (23%) say they like to experiment with different cuisines when buying food.
There is a growing appetite for convenient yet healthier options as people strive to balance time constraints with health-conscious choices.
The research also reveals how convenience plays a significant role for many, with 42% factoring ease of cooking into their purchasing decisions and 1 in 3 (33%) saying they like to cook meals that require as little prep or effort as possible.
In response, M&S Food has launched a newly upgraded Slow Cooked range with global dishes bringing maximum flavour to the dinner table with minimum effort. Originally hitting shelves in 2013, M&S pioneered the slow cooking technique in retail, mirroring real restaurant cooking methods and giving people the taste of restaurant quality at home without requiring the time or skill to cook from scratch. Since then, this range will boast an international palette curated by lead Product Developer for Meat & Poultry at M&S Food, Matt Dawson. Matt travelled the world discovering authentic recipes, new flavours and traditional cooking techniques to being the latest international cuisine into our home. Matt has recently been recognised by The Worshipful Company of Butchers — the only product developer for meat & poultry in retail to be given this honour.
Matt Dawson, Lead Product Developer for Meat & Poultry at M&S Food says: “In a world that’s constantly pushing for bigger, faster, and flashier, the return of the humble dinner party offers a refreshing reminder of the joy that comes from sitting around the dinner table with the people you care about most. Taking inspiration from how Brits now dine at home, we are proud that our newly launched Slow Cooked range, which spans more than 30 products across nine international cuisines, can help make hosting easier, more delicious, and more enjoyable than ever. Our range is designed to bring bold flavours and effortless quality to every table.”
Mark Wright, M&S Food Ambassador also commented: “You can’t beat a good dinner party at home—it’s where the real magic happens! Forget waiting for a table or stressing over the bill; it’s all about gathering your mates, serving up proper tasty food, and having a great night with friends and family. I have a big family so when we all get together, I like to make sure they’re well fed. And the best part is you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen, the hard work’s been done for you and within just 45 minutes, you get to enjoy incredible flavours.. That means more time for a quick workout or just relaxing before the fun begins – with minimum effort and maximum taste.”