Roast Beef and Yorkshire puddings top list of UK’s comforting dinners

With a week to go before the January health kick starts, a nationwide poll has today revealed the 20 best-loved rib sticking dishes, with traditional roast beef and Yorkshire puddings and apple crumble and custard coming joint top, with 24 percent).

The research found Brits definitely have a sweet tooth, with sticky toffee pudding and cream (21 percent), chocolate pancakes (18 percent), and warm croissants with jam (15 percent) all featuring high on the list.

The humble ham and cheese toastie (19 percent) also ranked highly, along with a simple bowl of cream of tomato soup (17 percent), beef stew and dumplings (18 percent), and a creamy mac and cheese (18 percent).

Hot buttered crumpets, bangers and mash, chicken and mushroom pie with mash and gravy, warm sausage rolls, and spaghetti Bolognese also made the final twenty.

The findings reveal that half of Britons (55 percent) get more pleasure from hearty winter food than summer dishes.

More than three-quarters (77 percent) of Britons said they would choose to eat winter food for the rest of their lives, while one in two (43 percent) admit that the best thing about a winter holiday – or ski trip – is the delicious warming dishes on offer.

One in four (26 percent) feel that hearty meals help them to cope with the long, dark nights because they are comforting (51 percent), warming (46 percent), and help kick start their body’s own central heating system (35 percent). A quarter (22 percent) said that the dishes reminded them of their childhood.

When it comes to regional tastes, southerners are more likely to opt for a sweet treat (South West and South East opted for apple crumble as their ultimate pick) while those in the North East and Yorkshire prioritise Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding.

Nicolas Bresch, Managing Director, UK & Nordics at winter holiday experts Club Med, who conducted the survey of 2,000 people, said: “Certain foods can evoke all sorts of feelings and there’s nothing Britons love more than a hearty feel-good dish.

“At Club Med, we pride ourselves on our excellent food offering, from the all-inclusive buffet option available within all mountain resorts, which serves a huge variety of foods including typical savoyard cuisine (cheese fondue, raclette), which is always extremely popular, through to the Michelin star designed menus available at resorts such as Val Thorens Sensations.

“There’s sure to be plenty of winter warmers available to keep our guests feeling full and satisfied.”

Findings from Club Med’s annual ski report, The Economy of Ski: The Financial Factors Impacting the Upcoming Season, found that when holidaymakers were looking at a destination or resort, value for money is the single most important factor for 40 percent of people, followed by food and drink (37 percent).