A roast dinner is held dear to the hearts of many Mancs – but is the cost of living crisis posing a threat to our Sunday tradition?
The quintessentially British meal that is a roast dinner marks a time to gather your nearest and dearest around the table to enjoy one of the heartiest meals you’ll probably have, but according to the findings from a new survey, a quarter of people now say they are less likely to prepare one at the end of the week due to costs.
Some 26% claim they are less likely to spend the time cheffing up a roast on a Sunday, according to BBC Good Food’s annual survey.
The annual survey, which polled 2,005 adults and 1,007 children, has revealed that continuing rising energy costs appear to be influencing kitchen habits – with 23% of cooks saying they use the oven and hob less, and 21% increasingly turning to the microwave.
Nearly a fifth (19%) say they are choosing ingredients that are faster to cook, or looking for recipes that are speedier to prepare, and 20% are no longer baking as many cakes or biscuits.
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A quarter of people now say they are less likely to prepare a roast dinner at the end of the week / Credit: The Firehouse MCR | The Refuge
And, sadly, 18% say they will probably not use their oven at all in response to the crisis.
When it comes to the actual food shopping habits that the UK public predict they’ll have to adopt over the coming months, 20% say they will specifically look for yellow “reduced” stickers on food when shopping, while 28% plan meals in advance, and 23% of people say batch cooking is their key to trying to cut costs.
Other indulgences are also apparently taking a hit too – with a third (34%) saying they have stopped buying takeaways all together, and 31% are eating out less often.
An annual survey has revealed rising energy costs are influencing kitchen habits / Credit: Alex Lam (via Unsplash)
“These findings reveal the extent to which rising food prices and energy costs have impacted on the way the nation eats in a relatively short space of time,” explained Christine Hayes – the Editor of BBC Good Food.
“Traditional cooking methods, the oven and the hob, are being switched off in favour of appliances that use less energy.
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“And shopping baskets and mealtimes at home are looking very different.”
You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Featured Image – Supplied
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A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester with DJs blasting 2000s indie and emo anthems
Emily Sergeant
A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester this spooky season.
It’s been nearly 20 years since the release of the titular first film in the Twilight Saga, based on author Stephanie Meyer’s bestselling book series of the same name, but despite two decades having passed, the films remain as beloved as ever.
Twilight went on to become a global phenomenon when it first hit cinemas back in November 2008, not just with its target audience of teens and young adults, but with people of all ages – making stars out of its lead actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the process, and generating millions at the box office.
With the impact it had on the culture at the time, it’s no wonder Twilight remained among fans’ favourites all these years later.
And this success is why events company Throwback Events is hosting a series of Twilight Raves across the UK and Europe this autumn, making a stop off here in Manchester in late November with tickets now on sale.
The event description reads: “Bella, where the hell you been loca? Join us as we celebrate Twilight at the club, where every day is Hoa Hoa Hoa season.
“Step into the shadows and relive the magic, mystery, and eternal romance of Twilight. Get ready for a night of anthems, nostalgia, and glittering darkness as we transform the dancefloor into Forks’ most iconic vampire coven.”
DJs will be spinning Twilight soundtracks on the night, alongside dark pop, emo, indie, and 2000s bangers, as well as playing fan edits from the films on big screens.
Oh, and to make it all the better, dressing up as vampires and werewolves is ‘highly encouraged’.
Fancy it then? The Twilight Rave is coming to the Deaf Institute in Manchester on Saturday 21 November, and tickets will set you back upwards of £7 each.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd September 2022 
