Bake Off may inspire viewers with delicate desserts and masterful mains, but when it comes to home cooking, most Brits admit their confidence quickly crumbles.
A new survey by Mindful Chef has found that 87% of Britons admit there are dishes they are too intimidated to attempt from scratch, with the soufflé crowned the nation’s most fear-inducing recipe. More than a third (36%) confessed they wouldn’t risk tackling the famously fickle French dessert at home.
Other culinary challenges also made the list: filo pastry (33%), béarnaise sauce (29%), and the notoriously fiddly Beef Wellington (27%). Surprisingly, even Yorkshire puddings and rolling sushi struck fear into 26% of respondents, while a quarter avoided beef Bourguignon or spatchcocking a chicken.
The survey also revealed a widespread apprehension towards French cuisine. Seven in ten (70%) found the idea of cooking a French classic intimidating, with two-thirds (66%) citing it as the hardest type of cuisine to master. Only 14% attempt French recipes outside special occasions, and 67% describe French cooking as more indulgent and sophisticated than other cuisines.
Jesse Kempner, Head of Food at Mindful Chef, said:
“It shouldn’t matter if you feel confident or not rustling up one – or even all – of the dishes on the list. Your confidence shouldn’t feel like a barrier to creativity in the kitchen. Some classics are a real effort midweek, and that’s why we’ve partnered with Côte Brasserie to give these French favourites a healthy twist and make them simple to enjoy any day of the week.”
Despite the fears, many Brits still find a way to impress: four in ten admit to passing off a posh takeaway as their own cooking.
Confidence varies regionally. Sheffield was named home to the UK’s boldest cooks, with 21% saying they can tackle any dish. Manchester and Cardiff also emerged as foodie capitals, with 47% of residents proudly identifying as “foodies.”
The top 15 dishes Brits are most scared to cook
Soufflé – 36%
Filo pastry – 33%
Béarnaise sauce – 29%
Beef Wellington – 27%
Yorkshire puddings – 26%
Sushi – 26%
Beef Bourguignon – 25%
Dauphinoise potatoes – 24%
Boulangère potatoes – 24%
Vietnamese pho – 22%
Salmon en-croute – 22%
Puff pastry – 22%
Chocolate fondant – 21%
Sourdough bread – 21%
Hollandaise sauce – 20%
The research highlights the tension between admiration for sophisticated recipes and everyday kitchen confidence.
Dining and Cooking