Lockdown has seen a resurgence in family meals

A staggering 91 per cent of Brits now claim that mealtimes have become an essential family occasion during lockdown - and they’re loving it.

Half of British households (49.2 per cent) confessed that family mealtimes were either rare (39 per cent) or never happened (ten per cent) before lockdown according to new research.

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The research, conducted by pizza brand Chicago Town, polled 4,227 households across the UK in May 2020 and shows how families have been brought together by the global pandemic; some positive news against the backdrop of worrying times.

As well as eating together at mealtimes, households are playing together too – with family and friends games’ nights, using popular video chat platforms, now high on the agenda.

More than three-quarters (77 per cent) of UK families are now playing games regularly together with 41 per cent dialing-in players to get around social distancing.

Almost a quarter (23 per cent) of families claim gameplay is a totally new pastime for them, admitting to never having played as a family previously.

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And they’re taking part in regular scheduled games’ nights with 25 per cent playing board games, video games or games.

The research also revealed the top five most popular lockdown meal choices for a family games night or an evening in front of the TV.

Pizza was the favourite family meal of choice with 45 per cent going for that.

Chinese (21 per cent) was second, followed by curry (15 per cent), pasta (ten per cent and fish and chips (nine per cent).

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Rachel Bradshaw at Chicago Town said: “It is great to hear that so many families are making the most of mealtimes together since the start of lockdown.

“And what better way to bond than over a gooey, messy pizza and games night.”

“We’re delighted, of course, that pizza is at the centre of many of these family occasions and we’re looking forward to seeing this trend of virtual extended family get-togethers continue way beyond lockdown.”

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