Sausage & mash is the top comfort food for Brits, according to a poll by award- winning cookery school, Eckington Manor.
Surprisingly, 7 out of the top 10 comfort foods are savoury and equally as popular amongst both men and women. Chocolate did not make an appearance anywhere in the top 10 - another surprise!
Also interesting was the fact the survey was unprompted - the 500 people interviewed across the UK, aged 25 to 75, were asked to name their personal favourites rather than being offered a multiple choice questionnaire. Neither was there any discrepancies in suggestions amongst any age group. Comfort food is comfort food, whatever your age, it seems.
The top ten UK comfort foods include: 1. Sausage & Mash 22% 2. Shepherds' Pie 16% 3. Fish and Chips 12% Cottage Pie 12% 4. Roast Beef and Yorkshire pud 10% 5.Jacket potato and cheese 8% 6.Rice Pudding 6% Bread & Butter Pudding 6% 7.Macaroni Cheese 4% Trifle 4%
Worcestershire-based Eckington Manor Cookery School is experiencing a huge increase in bookings for its Comfort Food cookery courses over others such as gourmet or French .
Commenting on the increase for comfort food, cookery school owner, Judy Gardner, who has been involved in the food industry for over 30 years, said: "Whenever the UK faces a major crisis or a situation that makes them feel displaced, they turn to food which reminds them of their childhood. These tend to be foods that are easy to digest as these were often served to people when they were poorly - it reminds them of being cared for and cherished.
"It's also food that's easy to digest and makes you feel good almost immediately - carbohydrates combined with a chemical called tryptophan that converts to serotonin in the body. And, we all know that serotonin is the chemical also associated with a feeling of being in love.
"Bananas are one of the best foods to make you feel good which is why we include banana custard as a MUST on our comfort food course."
Judy Gardner is recognised as one of the UK's leading food entrepreneurs. She created Garners Pickles which became synonymous with the best quality pickles and chutney in the UK.
After selling Garners to Baxters Foods, she opened a number of restaurants before establishing Eckington Manor Cookery School in the Vale of Evesham. Eckington is unique in the UK as it also has its own farm which provides much of the produce for the school.
Judy also works as a consultant to numerous food companies and retailers offering advice on trends within the industry.
Sausage & mash is the top comfort food for Brits, according to a poll by award-