THE rising cost of eating out has seen more people hosting dinner parties, according to Paul and Andrea Clark of oven valeting service Ovenu Warrington.
However, such social events are now less formal – more come Dine With Me than Downton Abbey – and often involve guests chipping in to keep the costs down.
According to Paul and Andrea, who have operated the business for 15 years, whilst clients continue to enjoy socialising with friends and families at home, guests are increasingly contributing to the dining experience.
Paul said: “People in the area are continuing to pursue their love of cooking that many rediscovered during the pandemic, but the cost of living crisis has seen guests chipping in to reduce the overall expense by making a culinary contribution, whether that’s bringing along a starter, dessert or part of the mains.
“The cost of takeaways and eating out is spiralling, but people still want that social contact, which is why dinner parties are making a comeback.”
Andrea added: “Dinner parties these days are less Downton Abbey and more Come Dine With Me, partly because people enjoy a relaxed get together and partly because modern homes are more open plan and lend themselves to people ‘grazing’ rather than sitting down at a dining table.
“We’ve continued to see an increase in demand for oven cleaning, which reflects the fact that more people are cooking and baking regularly, and clients appreciate that a clean oven not only produces more flavoursome food, devoid of contamination by grease and carbon, but that it operates more efficiently.”
Rik Hellewell, founder and managing director of the Ovenu franchise, said: “Anecdotally, Ovenu technicians across the UK are reporting that dinner parties are popular. The 1970’s versions were synonymous with cheese and pineapple on a stick, prawn cocktail, and scampi in a basket, but fortunately, modern tastes are more varied and adventurous.
“In addition, the rise of social media and messaging services like WhatsApp, means it’s much easier to arrange and organise a get together.”
As well as Warrington, the business covers Great Sankey, Golborne, Partington, Penketh, Lymm, Higher Whitley, Frodsham Widnes, Runcorn, Newton-le-Willows, and surrounding areas.
