Norway, and in particular its capital Oslo, has seen an explosion of cafés, restaurants, cookbooks and imported ingredients in recent years, but according to a recent survey the hottest new trend is a home-cooked meal with family and friends.
The survey by MMI (Market and Media Institute) revealed that though Oslo has become relatively continental with its late dinner time compared to the rest of the country, there has been a swing away from dining out. In 1995, 48% of people ate dinner at home daily in Oslo, sinking to 42% in 2001. The latest survey finds 54% returning daily to prepare a home-cooked meal, newspaper Aftenposten reports.
The increase was highest among young adults aged 25-39, which MMI consultant John Spilling finds extremely interesting.
“This group is made up of those who usually purchase most fastfood and who think that cooking is incredibly boring,” Spilling said.
The National Institute for Consumer Research (SIFO) was less surprised. SIFO food researcher Annechen Bugge has seen similar trends among singles in SIFO surveys, where eating at home is linked to a focus on health.
“Many signal who they are through food. Food is fashion and provides identity,” Bugge told the paper. “Many who live alone prefer to dine with others and it is important to invite friends home and also be a dinner guest.”
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