Electrolux Survey into Home Entertaining

Electrolux has just published the findings of its 2007 Kitchen Report; the most comprehensive European survey into entertaining guests at home: 11,000 people across 11 countries took part.

According to the report, the kitchen has become central to home entertaining with more homes than ever doing away with the traditional dining room and entertaining in the kitchen - in fact the report shows that people spend nearly one third of their working life in the kitchen. This partly explains why kitchens are fast becoming status symbols with more emphasis on sleek stylish and quiet kitchen appliances. Across Europe 25% of people say guests notice the brands of appliances in the kitchen - topped by Russians who say 48% of people notice.

Italy tops the league with a dining area in the kitchen (95% have an eat-in area). Britain came in tenth with 51% and Netherlands bringing up the rear with 39%.

The Poles really love entertaining, 54% welcome guests twice a month or more - yet they top the list when it comes to admitting making a real hash of it. 53% of Poles said they had made such a mess of a recipe they were unable to serve it - but at least they try! The Brits entertain far less - 25% welcome guests twice a month or more - but we too can make a mess of it: 48% of those interviewed said they had been unable to serve up a dish they had cooked.

In fact, British people are the most likely to put off entertaining altogether with 43% saying it was too much effort! But when we do, we are the best planners: 49% of British people interviewed said they like to arrange the occasion at least one week in advance. We are also amongst the more adventurous when it comes to trying out different dishes. While 52% of Spaniards stick to recipes from their own country - only 23% of Brits say they stick to UK recipes.

Women still in control:
63% of women do the organising around an entertainment occasion, compared to 44% of men - so they are in charge. BUT they also end up doing the cleaning too! 53% women clear up compared to 37% men.

The Brits, when they do entertain, prefer informal affairs and are least likely to dress up for dinner - only 42% say they do. They are also the most likely to have fewer guests at any one time: 58% have up to 4 guests at any one time with other countries more likely to have more than 5 guests to dinner. One thing that can be said for us - we seldom run out of booze! Perhaps that's why we have the highest incidence of people falling asleep in front of guests! Or maybe we just party on later into the small hours!

Focus on Food
Almost half - 46% - like the food to be the centre of attention with the Brits more likely to think that the only thing that really matters for successful entertaining is the food and drink with a large number wanting their food to have the WOW factor.

When it comes to recipe ideas, an overwhelming 42% of Brits get their ideas from celebrity chef books and cooking programmes. Interestingly a large number of people will buy ready made food to serve as appetisers and desserts and almost a quarter of hosts don't even make the main course completely themselves - 21% have pretended a recipe is their own! Clearly Delia is onto something with her latest book on 'How to Cheat'!

Kitchen Focus
People use the kitchen for other activities than cooking:
* Listening to music/watching TV
* Working (44% at least once a week)
* Sleeping (17% at least once a week)
* Having Sex! (13% at least once a week )

Finally, when asked to describe what type of show people felt their entertaining was like:
45% of people likened it to a comedy. Curiously a small percentage actually likened their entertainment experiences to a thriller, a weepie or an opera!

Electrolux, 08705 950 950, http://www.electrolux.co.uk