It seems Aussie are becoming more frugal with their dinner choices, as new research from Crock-Pot has revealed 7.9 million of us are choosing to dine in.
While most enjoy dinner at home every night (68 per cent every week night and 52 per cent on weekends), over half claim to have below average cooking skills.
Undeterred by a lack of culinary talent, more than half of Aussies revealed that they are exploring new methods of cooking and over 40 per cent more people are entertaining at home than five to ten years ago.
Health is the biggest driver when it comes to food choices with 43 per cent choosing this as their top concern.
The past decade has seen fried food consumption drop by eight per cent, with grains, salads and steamed food all increasing.
Time is also a major factor with a quarter of people admitting that they are time poor, and over half of our population claiming they don’t have time to cook as much as they hope to.
Commenting on the findings, Newell Brands Home Economist Jill Cooney said: “We’re proud to see Australians’ foodie culture translate to their home kitchen. It’s long been known that we’re a time-poor and health conscious nation, looking for convenient and easy cooking solutions that will fit into our everyday, busy lives. Yet, what’s most exciting, is not having skill be a barrier, and instead being empowered to spend more time at home cooking for and entertaining family and friends.”
The ‘MasterChef effect’ is making an impact in kitchens around the country, with TV shows inspiring 54 per cent of Aussies. Social media is also causing a rise in “Insta-worthy meals”, with a whopping 96 per cent inspired to prepare a meal by something they’ve seen on social media.
