More than half of Czechs have improved their culinary skills in the last year, and almost two thirds of respondents have started experimenting with new recipes. That’s according to the latest Mastercard® survey. According to less than half of the respondents, dinners with relatives brought the family or household closer together, which is why over 66 percent of respondents will organize them for the family even after the end of the pandemic. Ingredient purchases moved to the Internet, where more than a quarter of Czechs started shopping last year. Also according to Mastercard transaction data, the total turnover of e-commerce in the Czech Republic increased by almost a third over the past year, especially in the food category, which grew by as much as 184 percent. A total of 27 percent of respondents said they would shop online even after the emergency measures ended.
In the Czech Republic, it is said that Dalibor housti taught her in an emergency, which is undoubtedly confirmed by the current increased interest in domestic culinary art. In addition to ready-to-eat meals or ready-made semi-finished products, home cooking is also in the forefront of interest. According to a recent survey, 58 percent of Europe’s population and less than 52 percent of Czechs have acquired new kitchen skills in the last year. The average household now spends almost twenty hours a week preparing home-cooked meals. This is 38 percent more than the previous year.
“It’s been a very demanding twelve months, but it’s good to see that something positive has emerged from them. An example is the pan-European culinary boom. The basic mission of our brand is to give people the pleasure of what makes them happy, whether through our partners, unique experiences that we provide to people, or just convenient and safe ways to pay for everyday items, ”says Michal Čarný, CEO of Mastercard for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
According to the latest study by Mastercard, popular family dishes, such as goulash in our country or traditional cabbage soup with neighbors in Slovakia, still retain their popularity. Nevertheless, almost two thirds of Czechs said that they now experiment more often with new and untried procedures and recipes in the kitchen. More than half of the respondents were inspired to try new things in the kitchen by TV shows, streaming services or social networks.
In addition to the practical side, the increased interest in home cooking brought with it an interest in a healthy lifestyle (44 percent of Czechs), new skills (41 percent) and more time spent with loved ones (37 percent). Less than half (45 percent) of Czechs said that they started meeting other members of the household at the table again, and 66 percent of them believe that they will keep the ritual of eating together in the future.
The last year has also witnessed the rebirth of a “home party with dinner”, with less than half (45 percent) of Czechs inviting family members, friends or members of the same social group to dinner where possible and safe. Another 15 percent of respondents held joint virtual dinners, and half (50 percent) said that joint dinners would become an integral part of their social calendar as soon as the situation allowed.
The restrictions associated with the pandemic situation have also changed the way and where Czech consumers shop. One in four (26 percent) bought food online for the first time in the past year, and 28 percent of respondents said they spend more when buying food online because they impulsively add new foods and ingredients. This fact is also confirmed by Mastercard’s transaction data – last year, the total turnover of e-commerce in the Czech Republic increased by almost a third. This was mainly due to a sharp increase in food purchases on the Internet, which even increased by 184 percent. A quarter of respondents (27 percent) said they will buy food online even after the current restrictions expire.
Other catering expenses also increased during the period under review. The increase in popularity was recorded for kitchen utensils, dishes, glasses, but also, for example, furniture. However, interest also increased in other accessories useful for sitting at dinner: 12 percent of Czech respondents mentioned the purchase of smart speakers for musical accompaniment and another third (35 percent) improved the atmosphere of the dinner with newly purchased candles.
The most popular homemade dishes in individual European countries:
• Czech Republic – goulash
• Slovakia – dense cabbage (cabbage)
• Great Britain and Ireland – roast
• France – pancakes (crêpes)
• Italy – spaghetti with egg, cheese and pork (spaghetti alla carbonara)
• Germany – Spanish bird
• Spain – tortilla
• Poland – pancakes (naleśniki)
• Russia – meatballs (chops)
• Ukraine – borsch
• Turkey – meatballs (köfte)
• Hungary – pancakes (palacsinta)
• Romania – corn porridge (mămăligă)
• Netherlands – mashed potatoes and vegetables (stamppot)
• Portugal – salted cod with potatoes and eggs (bacalhau à brás)
• Sweden – meatballs (kottbullar)
• Belgium – French fries
• Austria – Viennese steak
