Chicken takes over from steak in pub menu popularity

By Ewan Turney

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags English cuisine Meat British cuisine Analyst

Steak: down in the charts
Steak: down in the charts
Chicken breast has overtaken sirloin steak as the most frequently listed main course item on pub menus, according to new research.

Chicken breast has overtaken sirloin steak as the most frequently listed main course item on pub, restaurant and hotel menus, according to new research from market analyst Horizons.

Horizons' biannual Menurama research looks at the dishes listed on Britain's restaurant, hotel and pub menus.

Its latest results reveal the impact of higher costs and price-conscious consumers with last year's most frequently listed main course menu items of sirloin steak, veggie burger, sausage and mash, fish and chips and rump steak being replaced by chicken breast, fish & chips, Sunday lunch and risotto (excluding pizza and burgers).

The research also showed that the average price of a meal has risen 3% to £6 on last year. The average cost of a two-course pub meal is now £10.99 compared to £10.95 in January last year.

A two-course meal in a hotel has dropped from £19.67 to £18.48 and increased from £14.30 to £14.88 in a restaurant.

"Our findings demonstrate that establishments have altered their menus to include cheaper items in response to financial pressures," said analyst Peter Backman.

"Premium ingredients have been dropped in favour of more economical dishes and we are seeing the emergence of more traditional British recipes such as meatballs and stews.

"Fish is also making a stronger appearance on British menus along with vegetable-based starters."

He added: "Dishes such as fajitas, mixed grills and some pasta dishes have declined in popularity due to the rising cost of raw ingredients and because operators are continuing to evolve their menus in an effort to give consumers something different, something that they wouldn't cook at home.

"Spiralling meat costs have prompted operators to reduce the weights of their core meat dishes such as beef burgers and steaks."

British puddings such as sticky toffee pudding, fruit crumble and sponge pudding are now less popular on menus than cheesecake, brownie, and profiteroles. Ice cream is still at the top of the charts.

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