Cost of Christmas dinner a major concern for Northern Ireland households
Almost two-thirds (62%) of households in Northern Ireland say that the rising cost of food is the biggest concern with cooking Christmas dinner this year with more than half (54%) swapping full turkeys for turkey crowns or joints, new safefood research has revealed.
As households get ready for the festive season, the recent study conducted with 1,000 adults across Northern Ireland, sheds light on the financial impact increased food costs is having on households this Christmas.
The research was conducted by Ipsos B&A with representative sample of 1,000 adults aged 18+ in Northern Ireland. Quotas were placed on gender, age and social class with weighting applied to ensure final data was representative of these quotas.
Almost two-thirds (62%) of this year’s respondents identified the cost of food as their biggest concern as they plan this year’s Christmas dinner, and this is a notable increase compared to 55% of respondents in 2022.
Over half (54%) of local home cooks are opting to buy a turkey crown (48%) or a boned and rolled turkey (6%) and this marks a significant increase from last year’s data, where just over a quarter (26%) made the decision to make the switch.
FOOD SAFETY
The research was commissioned by safefood as part of its annual Christmas food safety campaign, as it encourages home cooks to use a meat thermometer to make sure their Christmas turkey is safely cooked through to 75 degrees celsius aimed at helping ensure everyone has a safe and tasty Christmas.
Director of Food Safety with safefood, Trish Twohig said: “Our research would suggest people are changing their choice of Christmas turkey amid rising food costs. Whatever kind of turkey you cook this year, using a meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of knowing when it’s cooked.”
“To check that it’s cooked, take it out of the oven and pop the meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat between the breast and the leg; when it reads 75 degrees celsius, it’s safely cooked.
“Meat thermometers are affordable, easy to use and can be used on other meats during the year like chicken, pork, burgers and sausages to ensure they’re cooked all the way through.”
“If you don’t own a meat thermometer, that’s not a problem. To check your turkey is safely cooked, pierce the thickest part with a clean skewer or fork and check that it is piping hot, with no pink meat left and the juices run clear.”
safefood has teamed up with Noel McMeel, one of Ireland’s most celebrated chefs and talented young up-and-coming chef Sophie Smith, to launch the campaign to help take the stress out of cooking Christmas dinner.
Noel, a multi-award winning former Executive Head Chefat Lough Erne Golf Resort and Hotel in Enniskillen and now Culinary Director at the Ebrington Hotel in Derry~Londonderry, said: “A meat thermometer has been an indispensable tool in my kitchens throughout my career.
“I would encourage anyone cooking Christmas dinner this year to use a meat thermometer as it will take the guess work out of cooking your Christmas turkey to the ideal temperature of 75 degrees Celsius. This will ensure it’s not only cooked to perfection, but safe for everyone to enjoy.”
Sophie, who recently won Gold at the National Finals of the World Skills UK competition in Culinary Arts and works at A Peculiar Tea in South Belfast added: “The rising cost of food has many of my friends and family worrying about getting Christmas dinner right this year.
“However, the safefood website is a valuable resource for any home cooks. From helpful tips and practical guides to mouthwatering recipes, it provides a reassuring guide to create a memorable festive meal.”
