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Millions say they always regret hosting dinner parties - but like the idea of it

Jamie Oliver has partnered with Tesco to create some fuss-free Easter recipes you can serve up at any occasion   (SWNS)
Jamie Oliver has partnered with Tesco to create some fuss-free Easter recipes you can serve up at any occasion (SWNS)

A poll of 2,000 adults who cook food for guests found the most challenging things about hosting include making sure the meal tastes nice, elements of the menu are cooked at the same time and being stuck in the kitchen and not able to socialise.

While a third worry about keeping all their guests entertained and 19 per cent start cleaning when they want to hint it’s time for people to leave.

Despite this, 26 per cent are planning to host this Easter bank holiday weekend with 24 per cent of those feeling apprehensive about festivities.

In a bid to help combat the stress, Jamie Oliver has partnered with Tesco, which commissioned the research, to create a fuss-free, prep ahead five ingredient roast leg of lamb recipe, and a hot cross bun pudding which uses leftover buns and costs just £0.63 per portion.

Jamie said: “My secret to cooking a roast for a crowd is to choose a deliciously easy recipe that’s reliable, you can prep ahead of time, and one where the oven does all the hard work, so you can spend time with family and friends and not be stuck in the kitchen.”

It also emerged 47 per cent stress about getting the house clean enough for guests, while 38 per cent worry about the meal tasting good enough to impress.

Easter will be spent celebrating at home this year, and of those who aren’t hosting, 22 per cent will enjoy being a guest at someone else’s house.

It was found that 43 per cent of hosts have regretted overcomplicating a menu for a get-together, with 52 per cent of those desperate to impress.

While 44 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, want a challenge.

Tesco has worked with Jamie Oliver to curate 30 limited edition “Easter in a box” hampers including recipes and treats, which can be won via the supermarket’s Instagram and Facebook pages.

Alessandra Bellini, chief customer officer, said: “We know that many of our customers celebrate Easter, and we want to help them to come together with friends and family over good food at great prices.

“We’ve created some delicious recipes with Jamie to show people that hosting a gathering over the long weekend can be low stress, low spend, and maximum enjoyment, especially when taking advantage of our cracking Easter offers in store.”

Top 20 most stressful things about hosting at home:

  1. Making sure my house is clean and tidy for guests

  2. Making sure the food tastes nice

  3. Making sure all elements of the meal are cooked at the same time

  4. Keeping guests entertained

  5. Catering to everybody’s tastes

  6. Making sure the food is cooked to perfection

  7. Getting through all the washing up afterwards

  8. Being stuck in the kitchen and not able to socialise or chill out

  9. Worrying the meal is good enough quality

  10. People turning up early or late

  11. Not having enough food to go round

  12. Not having enough time to prepare

  13. Guest dietary requirements/restrictions

  14. Worrying the chosen recipe won’t work

  15. Worrying your guests will break something or spill drinks on your furniture

  16. Topics of conversations with guests

  17. Who to invite and ensuring all guests get on

  18. Keeping guests waiting between courses

  19. Cooking too much food

  20. Family members quizzing you about your life, work life, love life, etc.