Operators opt for chicken to beat recession

Chicken breast has overtaken sirloin steak as the UK's most popular main course as operators look to cut costs in the face of recession, research revealed today.

A survey of 100 foodservice operators, by analyst Horizons, found that chicken breast is now the most commonly listed main course on menus at pubs, restaurants and hotels.

Fish and chips is the second most popular main course, the biannual Menurama research shows, with Sunday lunch, sirloin steak and risotto making up the top five.

There is also an increased focus on food provenance, with traditional meats such as mutton and game including guinea fowl and rabbit making a return on to British menus.

Horizons managing director Peter Backman said the findings demonstrate a move towards cheaper ingredients in response to financial pressures.

"Premium ingredients have been dropped in favour of more economical dishes and we are seeing the emergence of more traditional British recipes," he said.

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

Consumers avoiding pubs and restaurants as recession fears grow >>

Restaurants should resist the temptation to discount heavily >>

Food inflation is fuelling more local sourcing >>

By Kerstin Kühn

E-mail your comments to Kerstin Kuhn here.

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next restaurant job here with Caterersearch.com jobs