The days of sitting down to an individual plate of food could soon be numbered, as a massive 85% of Gen Z and Millennials now state they prefer tapas-style sharing plates over a single meal of their own.
A new study of 2,000 adults by unearthed suggests Britain is rapidly shifting toward a more sociable, continental way of dining, especially during the summer months. The research found that 71% of people believe Britain’s changing dining habits are increasingly modelled on Mediterranean traditions like tapas and mezze.
Younger generations are driving the change, with 34% stating that sharing food is simply more enjoyable, while 33% like being able to sample a wider variety of dishes in a single sitting. Furthermore, 30% appreciate the freedom it gives everyone to eat what they want, and 29% find that sharing boards make entertaining guests much easier. Geographically, Birmingham has officially emerged as Britain’s sharing-food capital, with nine in ten residents enjoying communal dishes.
However, the trend has sparked a clear generational divide. Over-50s are firmly hitting back, with 38% stating they strictly want their own plate of food. Those aged over 60 are the least likely to follow the trend, with only 21% describing themselves as food sharers.
Top chef Omar Allibhoy believes the cultural shift reflects changing tastes, busy modern lifestyles, and a love for holiday flavours:
“We now enjoy fresher, simply prepared and lighter tapas-style dinners when it’s too hot to cook and we are all too tired from our busy modern lives. Most of us are well travelled and have tried many foods from around the world… More frequently we now have the appetite at home to have a taste of those flavours we enjoyed on holiday. With tapas, it’s about placing shared plates in the centre of the table and coming together to enjoy them as a family.”
