With more Brits heading further afield than ever before, holidaymakers are now giving weird and wonderful delicacies a go.
LONDON – The majority of Brits (97%) 1 are likely to be more adventurous with their food when on holiday than when at home in the UK. New research from Viking River Cruises also found that exploration doesn’t end there, as results also show that three out of four Brits (77%) try to recreate their favourite dishes when they return to UK shores.
The most popular dishes Brits tried for the first time include snails (6%) and frogs (5%). The survey also unearthed the more unusual items eaten by Brits abroad included sheep’s brain, cherry soup and one person admitted to eating bees whilst on holiday.
Whilst ostrich, birds nest soup and even guinea pig aren’t unlikely to make the menu, Britain’s ‘Come Dine with Me’ culture means that we’re trying to impress friends with our culinary creations more than ever before, taking inspiration from our travels.
Respondents also identified food markets as a must-visit on their trips away, as food lovers take inspiration from the likes of Rick Stein and The Hairy Bikers to pick up ideas to take back home.
Wendy Atkin-Smith, MD of Viking River Cruises UK said “When we arrive on holiday we automatically feel a sense of adventure and this seems to be transferred onto our palette. The traditional dinner party is back in fashion and we are now looking to impress with international dishes rather than the traditional meat and two veg. Our chefs source their food from food markets when we dock each day to ensure Viking customers have a true taste of local cuisine.”
The top five foods that we are most likely to taste for the first time when on holiday are:
1. Snails
2. Frogs legs
3. Crocodile
4. Kangaroo
5. Snake
