A new survey has revealed that more than a quarter of UK adults have somehow never boiled an egg in their lives.
As unfathomable as it may sound to the remaining 75% of people who have stuck an egg in a pan of water and boiled it on countless occasions in their time, according to new research carried out by Waitrose, some 27% of the 4,000 UK adults surveyed just can’t relate.
And while that’s probably the hardest finding from the survey for most people to wrap their heads around, it’s not the only bizarre revelation on the list, as apparently, fewer than a fifth of people (18%) surveyed have made a salad dressing to take their greens to the next level, and less than half (45%) have ever baked a Victoria Sponge cake.
New survey reveals more than a quarter of UK adults have never boiled an egg / Credit: cook_inspire (via Depositphotos) | ccnull
On top of this, nearly half (46%) of the people surveyed admitted that they often get distracted in the kitchen and let pans boil over, while 38% revealed they have burnt something so badly the smoke alarm went off, and 23% have undercooked or overcooked a dish so bad that it’s actually inedible.
ADVERTISEMENT
46% of people say they ignore the sell-by dates on packaging, 38% use the ‘five-second rule’ for picking up food they’ve dropped on the floor, and 16% say they are happy to scrape the mould off food to eat or cook with it.
But despite all this, 35% of people surveyed still rate themselves as “very good” or “excellent” cooks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Aside from shocking stats, the supermarket‘s 2023 Cooking Report also took a closer look at how the nation’s kitchen habits have altered post-COVID and amid the rising cost of living crisis.
The shocking statistic was revealed as part of Waitrose’s annual Cooking Report / Credit: Pxfuel
The survey found that 20% of respondents say they are entertaining more at home due to the cost of living crisis, while four in 10 (40%) are happy to choose cheaper cuts of meat and more affordable ingredients to economise when entertaining, and 7% will ask friends to bring a dish or course along with them.
When it comes to how our cooking methods have changed, 32% of people said they couldn’t live without their microwave, and 12% said the same about airfryers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Waitrose said searches for “microwave meals” were up 71% on waitrose.com, when compared with the same time last year, while sales of microwaves were up by 13% at partner John Lewis.
Speaking on the findings of this year’s Cooking Report, Martyn Lee – Executive Chef for Waitrose – said: “Food is a daily joy and the cost of living crisis has hastened a change in how we cook [but] for too long we’ve been looking down on microwaves.
“You can do so much more in them than heat a cup of coffee.”
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester
Emily Sergeant
Today is National Doughnut Day, and to celebrate, Morrisons is on the look-out for one sweet treat fan to take on a new role.
That’s right – today (5 June) is National Doughnut Day, and Morrisons is officially on the hunt for the nation’s ultimate doughnut devotee with the launch of its brand-new (and delicious) role, The Chief Doughnut Tester – with all glaze enthusiasts, sprinkle connoisseurs, and jam-filled aficionados urged to get applying.
The search is on to crown one lucky fan who’ll take on the dream job of taste-testing their way through the supermarket‘s range of doughnuts.
The Chief Doughnut Tester is more than just a title, Morrisons says it’s ‘serious business’.
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester / Credit: Morrisons
The new hire will be tasked with taste-testing doughnuts before they hit the shelves, giving verdicts on new flavours and textures, all in the name of research.
The role will also involve teaming up with Morrisons’ internal doughnut-expert team to develop new and limited-edition treats that’ll be in stores next year.
Crowned as the nation’s definitive doughnut authority, the selected winner won’t just earn the title of Chief Doughnut Tester, they’ll also receive the ultimate of sweet perks – a year’s free supply of Morrisons fresh doughnuts, which the retailer sells more than 1.1 million of weekly.
Aspiring Chief Doughnut Testers can apply on the Morrisons website here, by filling in a short 200-words about why’re the ideal candidate.
Applications close at midnight tonight (Friday 5 June), so you’ll need to be quick.
Featured Image – Annie Spratt (via Unsplash)
Trending
First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
6th July 2023 
