Come over for takeaway

It is enough to make Jamie Oliver lose his trademark chirpyness - one in six people admit serving up takeaway food at dinner parties.

They say the frenetic pace of modern life makes it impossible to find time to cook.

Rather than employ the timehonoured technique of heating up a ready meal and trying to pass it off as their own creation they are unashamedly reaching for the telephone, according to a new study into the nation's eating habits.

"It is now socially acceptable to purchase a takeaway to share with visitors in order to enjoy the time with them rather than on chores in the kitchen," said the report's author Pat Neviani-Aston.

Women were as likely as men to serve up takeaway food to their guests, and in the busy 25-34-year-old age group the proportion rose from one in six to almost one in four.

The study also reveals that going out for dinner is no longer seen as a treat but a necessity for cash-rich, timepoor consumers.

The report, published today by market research firm Mintel, shows that while people are eating out more, they spend less on individual meals, preferring to stick to light snacks in restaurants that will serve them quickly.

This so-called "fast-casual dining" has benefited restaurants such as YO! Sushi and Wagamama, the report says.

Almost half of all consumers eat out at least once a week, it adds, and those under 24 are likely to eat out at least twice a week.

In London, people spend an average of £15.40 per head on a restaurant meal, and £4 on a takeaway.

Of more than 1,800 people interviewed, two thirds did not consider eating out a good way to celebrate a special occasion.

"This is indicative of the more casual approach towards eating out that consumers now have," said Mrs Pat Neviani-Aston.

"Eating out and getting takeaways is becoming routine, as part of a hard-working lifestyle rather than a reward for that hard work.

"As it is often chosen because consumers cannot be bothered to cook, it is not so readily seen as the best option to celebrate a special occasion."

When it came to the choice of restaurant meal or takeaway, four out of five people were prepared to try out food they had never tasted before.

Pub grub, fish and chips, Chinese and Indian takeaways remain the market leaders but have all declined in popularity between 2001 and 2003.

Chicken meals and pizzas and cafe-style meals are steadily becoming more popular.