What preferences do we have in the UK for takeaways?

Is is it for real? Has the good old ‘fish and chips’ been surpassed as the nation’s favourite takeaway choice? For years the leading takeaway choice in this country, they would now have us believe that something has come along in its place. Below is a list of interesting facts and figures to support this:

The traditional English takeaway is now more popular in Dublin than anywhere in the UK. It may have something to do with the larger population of Chinese people in England than is known to exist in Ireland. Everyone knows that a large number of Chip shops were snapped up by Chinese people, who have bought there own style to the industry.

Indian food rules, except in London and the North West, where Chinese food is king. The reason why this is the case is fairly easy to appreciate, if you consider the demographic makeup of particular communities. The largest of the Indian communities are based on the other side of the Pennines, in the North East.

· 3 out of 5 takeaways meals bought in this country are either Chinese or Indian food.

The survey was conducted by takeaway specialists, Just Eat.co.uk, who interviewed more than 1,200 people. They found the average annual takeaway bill is £550, which equates to about £45 per person per month. Because of the economic difficulties of the moment, this figure is quite shocking. I imagined that people would curb their spending on food, and try to make an effort by cooking from their homes. When you think about it, just how difficult is it to prepare something from home? Apparently, the kitchen is not the place to be for most people at this time of the year, which has something to do with the depressing lack of light!

Following the clocks going back in October, sales appeared to have doubled. Possibly there are a number of reasons why it is like this, with the cold weather being the obvious culprit. When it becomes colder, people are less inclined to venture out to find their food, either from a restaurant or from a supermarket.