50 signs you're a foodie - how many are you guilty of?

A study of 2,000 adults has found four in 10 are self-confessed foodies - with a love of dining out, cooking and sharing their meals on social media

41% of Brits are self-confessed foodies

41% of Brits are self-confessed foodies (Image: SWNS)

Can you pronounce quinoa correctly? Have you any idea how to cook jackfruit? Know what is meant by to coddle something? If you think you can spot a Michelin-star meal when you eat one, why not put your money where your mouth is and give this quiz a try?

It comes after research of 2,000 adults found 41% are self-confessed foodies. Natalie Allen, spokesperson for salad brand Florette, which commissioned the research to launch its Gourmet Slaws range, said: “The term ‘foodie’ has been more widely used in recent years.

“People make plans around which restaurants they are going to, often several weeks in advance and love to share their meals, recipes, reviews and general thoughts on food on social media platforms.

“Cuisine brings so much joy. When we think of special occasions such as birthdays and weddings or even holidays, the majority of them have an enjoyment of food at the heart of them.

“Dishes from around the world have progressively been integrated into our diet in the UK as we have become more inquisitive, experimental and so willing to try different and more “exotic” options.”

The research also identified the 50 signs someone is a foodie – and they include the kitchen being a favourite room in the house and a tendency to plan holidays around cuisine. Knowing how to make pasta from scratch, actually using the cookbooks they own and having in excess of 30 spices in the cupboard.

Owning a set of chef-worthy knives, obsessively reading food blogs, knowing where different cuts of meat come from, eating seasonal produce and hosting dinner parties are further traits. Along with a fondness for dining in Michelin-star restaurants, seeking out independent eateries, and attending food festivals.

Of those polled, seven in 10 are passionate about supporting Britain’s food and drink industry. As a result, 58% try to eat in independent restaurants where possible because the food tastes better (42%) and for an authentic experience (36%).

Foodies share their meals on social media

Foodies share their meals on social media (Image: Getty Images)

It also emerged adults typically eat out twice a month, spending an average of £40 on food and drinks. When dining out, 55% try new meals each time while 18% stick to what they know and love. Similarly, six in 10 claim they are adventurous with food and 24% are willing to travel hundreds of miles for the ‘perfect’ meal.

For 34%, eating out at high class restaurants is their idea of fun, while 45% enjoy learning new things about ingredients and meals. While the best aspects of dining out were found to be the satisfaction of eating a good meal (25%), not having to cook (24%) and trying new foods (15%).

More than a fifth (23%) even have a list of restaurants they’d like to visit, while 29% have a wish list of countries to travel to specifically for the cuisine.

When it comes to cooking, 41% describe their ability as ‘average’, while 38% claim it’s ‘good’ and seven per cent go as far as saying it’s ‘excellent’.

But despite many believing they themselves are a foodie, the research, carried out through OnePoll, found 29% dislike the term as it's pretentious (66%) and elitist (18%).

Natalie Allen, spokesperson for Florette's Gourmet Slaws, which are inspired by flavours of Korea, China and India, added: “With summer fast approaching it’s likely social gatherings will revolve around food even more, from barbeques to al fresco lunches and late evening dining as the sun sets.”

TOP 50 SIGNS YOU’RE A FOODIE:

  1. The kitchen is your favourite room in the house            
  2. You actually use the cookbooks you own         
  3. You go on holiday for the food 
  4. You don’t rely on recipes to make meals          
  5. You know where different cuts of meat come from      
  6. You make your own stock         
  7. You have a knowledge of food history  
  8. You avoid ready meals or readymade sauces 
  9. You know which wine goes with particular meals
  10. You own a set of fancy ‘chef-worthy’ knives     
  11. You have in excess of 30 spices in your cupboard        
  12. You know how to make pasta from scratch      
  13. You read food blogs and websites obsessively              
  14. You know how to remove the bones from a fish
  15. You have hosted a dinner party, where you prepped the food 
  16. You know precisely how long to cook a steak depending on preference            
  17. You can chop food really quickly – like they do on TV  
  18. You know when foods are ‘in season’
  19. You have five or more different oils in the cupboard     
  20. You have dined in multiple Michelin-star restaurants 
  21. You have written your own recipes
  22. You seek out independent restaurants              
  23. You have been to a food festival            
  24. You are the go-to person for restaurant recommendations      
  25. You shop for organic and locally produced food items where possible             
  26. You can make homemade pizzas (including the dough)            
  27. You know the temperature different cheeses are best enjoyed at        
  28. You own a pestle and mortar   
  29. You make their own work lunch from fresh      
  30. You have imported food items rarely found in the UK from abroad       
  31. You know the temperature different wines are best enjoyed at
  32. You know the exact point food is al dente         
  33. You follow multiple food-oriented social media accounts        
  34. You know how to flambé
  35. You have a slight obsession with street food   
  36. You can cook rice without it going soggy           
  37. You know the difference between sushi and sashimi  
  38. You know how to make eggs benedict
  39. You know what a la carte means
  40. You know what is meant by ‘to coddle something’       
  41. You know what consommé is  
  42. You know how to make coulis 
  43. You know what an aperitif is    
  44. You know how to toss a salad correctly             
  45. You eat out at least once a week
  46. You can use chopsticks             
  47. You wouldn’t turn your nose up if offered snails or frog legs    
  48. You can pronounce ‘quinoa’ correctly
  49. You know what crudités are     
  50. You own a pizza stone

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