The report found that while classic dishes such as turkey and gravy remain firm favourites, there is a growing appetite, particularly among younger diners, for menus that ‘reimagine tradition with creative flair’.
Premier Foods included data from a nationally representative survey of 2,000 adults who dine out in December and features expert commentary, practical takeaways and a series of festive recipes tailored for foodservice professionals.
To help operators translate insight into action, the report features festive recipes including: Paxo festive scotch egg with cranberry and Bisto gravy, Christmas dinner wrap with gravy dip as well as Bird’s mincemeat crumble tart with cinnamon custard.
The report found 45% of consumers prefer traditional flavours, 35% want a blend of classic and contemporary, and younger age groups are leading the charge for innovation with 18% of 25–34-year-olds preferring a modern twist on the Christmas meal, compared to just 5% of those over 65.
Key findings from the report include:
- 63% of consumers dine out at Christmas to spend time with friends and family
- 88% say menu quality is a key deciding factor when choosing where to eat
- 61% like to see a menu that highlights popular branded ingredients such as gravy, custard or stuffing
- 19% plan to dine out on Christmas Day, with many still undecided – creating late-booking opportunities
- 84% believe hospitality staff can make or break a festive dining experience.
Sadia Allam, foodservice channel controller at Premier Foods, said: “Tradition is undeniably important to festive diners, but we’re seeing strong demand for creativity too. From Christmas dinner wraps to mincemeat crumble, chefs have a real opportunity to delight guests with dishes that nod to nostalgia while bringing something new to the table.”
To access the full report, recipe inspiration, and expert insights, visit: https://www.premierfoodservice.co.uk/news/christmas-guide-2025/