Restaurants and pubs have increased prices and trimmed portion sizes
Restaurant and pub operators have increased prices and trimmed portion sizes in the past year to protect profits.
New research from Horizons covering menu trends at 115 hotel, restaurant and pub brands, shows the cost of an average dish across all outlets has risen 4.8% since January to £6.61.
Horizons' Menurama survey also found that a three-course menu in a restaurant will now set you back £21, a rise of more than 5% in the past year. Eating out at a pub is now 5.6% more expensive, with a starter, main and dessert costing on average £15.74.
With food inflation climbing, operators are reducing dish weights (where stated on menus) for burgers and steaks in a bid to mitigate the increase.
Horizons development executive Paul Backman said: "The impact of rising food inflation, currently at 3.8%, has become evident since January 2010 as restaurant, pub and hotel operators attempt to maintain their margins by raising menu prices.
"Predictions are that food inflation could reach 7% as global commodity prices continue to rise and this will continue to have a knock-on impact on the price of eating out in the UK."
Mentions of organic produce on menus has also declined by 20% since 2009 as customers become less willing to pay the premium for such items in today's financial climate
Despite this the trend for quality assurance and responsible production remains evident and undiminished, although "older" terms such as corn-fed, dolphin-friendly and outdoor-bred or reared appear to be going out of fashion.
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By Chris Druce
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