Only crumpets can save us now: food traditions fading fast, survey shows

Results of Yougov’s poll hard to swallow for some, with British favourites falling in popularity

A SUPPER of steak and kidney pudding was once a national favourite. But the dish has fallen in the public’s affections – along with a host of others – a Yougov poll has shown.

Members of the public were asked whether they had tried certain typical British meals and whether they liked them. Dishes were ranked in five tiers, from “god” down to “c--p”.

Only half of people surveyed said they liked steak and kidney pie, the survey found. This placed it in the c--p tier, along with black pudding, kippers, and liver and onions.

Jellied eels, haggis and laverbread also languished in the lowest rank.

To claim a place in the top tier, a foodstuff had to be liked by more than 80 per cent of people surveyed.

Jellied eels were by far the most disliked food on the list, with only 6 per cent of those who had sampled the Cockney delicacy wishing to do so again.

The next least popular food, enjoyed by only 11 per cent of respondents, was laverbread, a Welsh delicacy made of seaweed.

Age made a huge difference in what people reported enjoying.

Only 9 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds reported enjoying liver and onions,

‘Haggis and black pudding on c--p tier? Do you want another Scottish referendum?’

compared with 56 per cent of those aged 55 and above.

Young people were also far less likely to enjoy steak and kidney pudding, with 30 per cent of the youngest group saying they liked it against 66 per cent for the oldest.

Gender played a part, too. Men were significantly more likely to enjoy a steak and kidney pudding than were women (59 per cent versus 44 per cent) and black pudding, (51 per cent to 33 per cent).

Women were, on the other hand, more likely to enjoy cauliflower cheese, with 73 per cent of female respondents saying they liked it compared with 59 per cent of men.

Britain’s favourite foods, according to the survey, are Yorkshire pudding, Sunday roast, fish and chips, crumpets, a full English breakfast and bacon sandwiches, with 80 per cent or more of respondents saying they liked those foods.

Chicken tikka masala has often been hailed as Britain’s national dish, but it appears to have fallen off the top spot, and is only ranked in the middle tier, meaning 60-69 per cent of people surveyed enjoyed it.

The Yougov survey has caused consternation among culinary experts and British food fans alike.

“Beef Wellington in the low tier, and black pudding right at the bottom! We can’t believe what we’re seeing!” said Great British Chefs, the food website.

Jake Johnstone, who works on political campaigns, tweeted: “The fact that cauliflower cheese ranks higher than steak and kidney pudding is a national scandal.”

Some Scottish people said they were unhappy about the lowly rankings of black pudding and haggis.

One tweeted: “The strongest argument I’ve ever seen for Scottish independence. Classic ‘British’ food survey. Haggis and black pudding = c--p. Crumpet = god.”

Another said: “In the name of all that is holy...haggis and black pudding on c--p tier? Do you want another Scottish referendum? And steak and kidney on low?”