Brits have revealed their biggest mealtime mishaps, including propelling pancakes onto the ceiling which don’t make it back to the pan, and cooking everything for a Sunday roast – except the chicken.
In a survey of 2,000 adults, respondents shared their biggest fails, with others confessing to over-spicing a dish to the point it was too hot for guests to handle.
It was also revealed that most kitchen calamities were caused by lack of enthusiasm to cook (27 per cent), missing ingredients (22 per cent), and lack of time (18 per cent).
And one in six have rued overcooking elements of their dish.
The research was commissioned by Tesco, which has expanded its new express delivery service, Whoosh – bringing food to the door within 60 minutes should you ever find yourself in a moment of disaster.
A spokesman for the supermarket chain, said: “Whether it’s a special date night or a cosy evening in front of the telly, mealtime moments are an important part of our day.
“Though kitchen calamities can be dramatic, the research reveals that most mishaps are down to us simply not having what we need, when we need it – whether that’s a vital ingredient for a recipe, or a quick meal option when time, energy, and enthusiasm are lacking.”
It also emerged more than a third (34 per cent) have been left flustered after their kitchen exploits – with 62 per cent having had to start again, or even order a takeaway, thanks to burning the meal or forgetting a vital ingredient.
A further 14 per cent will also often start to prepare a dish and then realise they’ve forgotten the vital ingredient.
In this situation, more than half (53 per cent) try to use an alternative, while 44 per cent carry on making the dish without it – but almost two in five (38 per cent) will run to the shops.
When cooking for family and friends, 86 per cent feel it is important the meal is enjoyed by everyone.
But most kitchen mishaps tend to happen when people are preparing their midweek dish (22 per cent), cooking the Sunday roast (15 per cent), or when there are large gatherings of family and friends (10 per cent).
It was also found dinner time is the most common time for things to go wrong in the kitchen, according to half of those polled (49 per cent).
And 44 per cent wish there was a way that they could get the food they need for their meal delivered to them quickly as and when they need it.
The Tesco spokesman added: “Cooking in the kitchen shouldn’t be a stress, if anything it should be relaxing and enjoyable.
“I think we all need to laugh at the disasters we can face and take it on the chin – there are bigger things to be worrying about these days.
“But if it just so happens that you’re nearly finished cooking and that vital ingredient is missing, then Tesco Whoosh is on hand to help.”
COMMON KITCHEN CALAMATIES BRITS FACE IN THE KITCHEN:
- Lack of energy/enthusiasm to cook
- Missing ingredients
- Not allowing enough time to prepare and cook
- Overcooking elements
- Spillages
- Not having suitable food in, and no time/energy to go out and buy more
- Finding a recipe too complicated
- Trying to substitute an ingredient that doesn't quite work out
- Reaching for something only to find it's out of date/gone off
- Accidentally adding too much seasoning or spice
- Presentation skills (i.e. the finished dish/meal doesn't look very appetising)
- Not having the right equipment (i.e. potato masher or tin opener)
- Misreading a recipe
- Kids getting in the way when I'm trying to concentrate
- Too many people talking to me when I'm cooking
- Undercooking elements
- Not having suitable ingredients/items/alternatives for guests' dietary requirements or preferences
- Trying to adapt a dish for different dietary requirements that doesn't turn out the same
- Ruining ingredients/elements during the preparation because of an accident (i.e. dropped eggs)
- Setting the wrong time on the timer (or no timer)
