Traditional British food is falling out of favour, new research has found, with the nation increasingly out of love with meat and two veg.
More than half of us (55%) say they eat classic British meals less than once a month and only 22% name it their favourite cuisine.
Meanwhile a quarter have never tried steak and kidney pie – and have no desire to, according to data from fintech company Marshmallow.
Instead a new era of gastronomic diversity is sweeping the nation with Brits naming Italian, Chinese, Indian and Mexican as their favourite cuisines.
But despite the fact that migrants contribute £6.6bn to the economy, many face discrimination, inequality or other challenges as they settle in the UK.
Marshmallow has teamed up with acclaimed migrant chef Ravinder Bhogal to highlight the wealth of talent that migrants bring – and to break down the barriers holding them back.
Ravinder said: “Running a food business in the UK takes passion, resilience and hard work. International chefs and food entrepreneurs bring incredible flavours and creativity to our high streets.
But they also navigate challenges like securing finance, understanding regulations, and even getting reliable transport to and from work, which affects the whole ecosystem.”
Research revealed how tough it is for migrant entrepreneurs to set up a business in the UK, with 36% saying regulations are confusing and hard to navigate.
More than a fifth (22%) have been blocked from opening a food business or working in hospitality due to a lack of reliable transport and 69% say they’ve had to work harder and longer than others to succeed.
Oliver Kent-Braham, from Marshmallow said: “At Marshmallow, we see every day the energy and innovation that migrants bring to the UK, and food is one of the clearest examples. International cuisines are transforming our high streets, strengthening local economies, and enriching daily life across the country.
“But behind every thriving business are people who still face barriers, from accessing finance to securing fair insurance. That’s why Marshmallow is committed to making migration easy, by offering fair, accessible insurance that helps migrants get on the road, grow their businesses, and continue driving the UK’s cultural and economic success.”