By Allison Sadlier // SWNS
New York office - 646-873-7565 / usnews@swns.com
NEWS COPY w/ VIDEO & INFOGRAPHIC
If you like giving restaurant recommendations, picking up new snacks in the grocery store and think introducing people to new cuisines is fun — then odds are, you’re a foodie.
A study of 2,000 Americans examining how people express themselves through the food they buy found three in four people consider themselves part of the food-loving club and believe their daily food choices inform specific personality traits.
Results found that men were 30 percent more likely than women to think their food choices indicated they have a sweet and approachable personality.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Blue Diamond Almonds, revealed that four in 10 foodies will spend upwards of $51 a week on gourmet items.
And the average consumer spends $3,300 on gourmet treats per year.
Beyond dropping the dollars in the grocery checkout line, other common traits of a foodie included knowledge of food pairings (48 percent), frequently trying new foods (45 percent), being able to properly cook (44 percent) and knowledge of what foods are in season (41 percent).
Foodies aren’t afraid to get creative either, seeing as 59 percent enjoy testing out new flavor combinations. The results found that women were 8 percent more likely then men to enjoy testing new flavors.
Fifty-eight percent of respondents liked making discoveries in the kitchen by coming up with their own recipes.
When it comes to sharing their culinary passion with others, hosting guests for dinner, happy hours, movie nights and sports games are opportune moments. Over half of people who have hosted a dinner in their home want their guests to try a new flavor or cuisine.
If you’re trying to make a good impression for all your important guests, then kicking off the night right is a major help.
Eighty-nine percent think appetizers and snacks are key for setting the tone, and they know how to please their audience.
“We know that snacking has become a meaningful moment to exercise creativity and explore exciting and unfamiliar flavors,” said Eric Tinson, Senior Brand Manager. “Snacking isn’t just a means to stave off hunger between larger meals — it’s a significant and often celebrated part of the day. Thanks to some delicious innovation, we’ve made it easy for anyone to elevate their snacks to the next level and treat their taste buds to satisfying flavor combinations throughout the day.”
Hosting isn’t without its pre-event jitters, since one in two admitted to being nervous about having enough food for everyone.
Other aspects of hosting that people had worries about were the quality of snacks (46 percent), home tidiness (41 percent), the variety of snacks (41 percent) and preparedness for the unexpected (37 percent).
The guest list can have an impact of the host’s nerves, as two in five people admitted to getting a little nervous when their parents or friends come over to dinner.
Thirty-five percent of hosts also wish to present themselves well to their siblings or mother-in-laws through their sophisticated cuisine.
The top reason people get tense before hosting their guests is because 65 percent want to impress them, while 42 percent get nervous in the kitchen.
The results found that men were 7 percent more likely to be nervous trying out a new recipe than women.
Tinson continued, “When you’re equipped with delicious snacks that are equally fit for daily snacking and entertaining, hosting friends and family becomes a great deal easier."
TOP SIGNS OF BEING A FOODIE
1. Knowing food pairings 48%
2. Interested in food origins 47%
3. Frequently trying new foods 45%
4. Being able to properly cook 44%
5. Awareness of what foods are in season 41%
6. Always have a restaurant recommendation 35%
7. Eat healthy 35%
8. Having a taste for wine 34%
9. Fully stocked fridge 33%
10. Always trying to get people to go out to eat 32%
11. Own cook books 32%
12. Traveled to a country for its food 31%
13. Vast spice rack 28%
14. Great knives set 27%
15. Drinks fancy cocktails 27%
16. Owns mortar and pestle 27%
17. Order steak medium rare or rare 22%
18. Have a charcuterie plate at home 22%
19. Eat only grass-fed meat 20%
FOOD LOVER FAVORITES
1. Finding new recipes 66%
2. Going to new restaurants 65%
3. Find new flavor combinations 59%
4. Reading cookbooks 58%
5. Making up own recipes 58%
WHO ARE PEOPLE NERVOUS TO HOST FOR?
1. My parents 40%
2. Friends 40%
3. Extended family 38%
4. Mother-in-law/partner’s mother 35%
5. My siblings 35%
6. My partner 31%
7. Father-in-law/partner’s father 28%
8. Colleagues 22%
WHY PEOPLE GET NERVOUS TO HOST
1. Wanting to impress guests 65%
2. Worried they’re tough judges 50%
3. Trying a new recipe 50%
4. Want guests to feel loved 47%
5. Get nervous in the kitchen 42%
WHAT MAKES PEOPLE NERVOUS
1. Quantity of food 51%
2. Quality of snacks 46%
3. Home tidiness 41%
4. Variety of snacks 41%
5. Preparing for unexpected 37%
6. Seating space 31%
7. Background music 30%
8. Home temperature 30%
9. Place settings 28%
