Not going out: Nation embraces hosting at home as millions make the most of staying in

As a nation we are dusting off its hosting skills as millions are staying in instead of going out in a bid to save money, according to new research from Tesco - with the supermarket also encouraging customers to try a ‘Use Up Night In’ to make the most of the ingredients wet already have in our kitchen.

This is an effective way to cut food waste and spending, as according to Tesco, implementing a Use Up Day each week could save households an average of £260 per year.

Data shows that over the last year, 68% of UK adults have reduced spending less on going out, with many preferring to play host to friends or family instead.

Almost half (47%) of those who said they're spending less on eating and drinking out or going out to socialise are recreating a night out in the comfort of their homes, using ingredients from supermarkets.

Return of ‘potluck’ dinners

As the country switches nights out for nights in, the research indicates 48% UK adults who are spending more time at home instead of going out, are having friends and family over for meals. And while bringing a bottle is still deemed a helpful contribution by some hosts (48%), one in ten (11%) hosts prefer a contribution to the meal in the form of a dish or ingredient – with 37% of those saying they would like to receive a dessert and 18% appreciating a contribution of snacks and nibbles.

BYO takes on a new meaning for under-35s

Tesco analysis found 1 in 4 under-35s (26%) are likely to ask dinner party guests to come bearing a dish or ingredient, compared with only 13% of 55+.

A Use Up Night In to help your pocket and our planet

To support our nation’s hosting habits and help reduce the amount of food wasted in homes, Tesco has created a ‘Use Up Night In’ guide containing recipes, smart ways to use up leftovers and even how to host a potluck party where each guest is encouraged to bring their own ingredients.

It forms the next phase of Tesco’s Use Up Day campaign, which encourages people to cook a meal once a week using food they already have at home, helping customers to spend less and stop good food from going to waste.

Jamie Oliver, renowned chef and Tesco Good Food ambassador, said: “Having a dedicated night of the week to use up the food you already have is such a brilliant idea. Not only does it mean less food going in the bin, which can only be a good thing for the planet, it also means you’re not spending as much. This is where flexible recipes, the ones where you can easily swap ingredients in and out, are your best friends. I love Tesco’s ‘Use Up Night In’ campaign for encouraging everyone to have a go at doing this, because it really can make a difference.”

Tony McElroy, Head of Campaigns at Tesco, said: “Since creating Use Up Day in 2021, Tesco has helped thousands of customers make the most of their food shop and reduce waste. Cutting the amount of food that’s thrown away in homes is win-win, saving money and limiting harmful emissions."

“Adapting Use Up Day to cater at home for friends or family is a great way of making food go further; whether that’s reinventing your own leftovers or combining the contents of your kitchens.”

Tesco works with the local sharing app Olio to further reduce waste. Tessa Clarke, co-founder of Olio, said: "Food waste is hard to stomach at the best of times — but even more so in the midst of a cost of living crisis. Tesco’s new guide couldn’t be more timely, full of brilliant ideas that make it easy to turn spare food into delicious meals. And, of course, any ingredients that you don’t use can be easily passed on to local people using Olio, meaning not a single piece of good food need go to waste."