Roast dinner season is well underway, with people across the UK indulging in delicious roasted meats, nut roasts, and vegetables on Sundays. Interestingly, a recent survey revealed that one in 10 Brits opt to enjoy their roast dinner with an egg. In addition to this unique twist, garlic bread and tomato ketchup have also been identified as popular additions to the traditional roast dinner, chosen by one in 10 people.
Preparing a roast dinner is no easy feat, as it can take anywhere from two to four hours to cook, consuming a significant amount of electricity in the process. Recognizing the growing concern over the cost of cooking a roast, especially compared to five years ago, energy provider EDF has introduced the Sunday Saver challenge. This initiative rewards households that reduce their electricity usage during peak hours on weekdays with free electricity on Sundays. By cutting back just 10% during peak hours, participants can earn four hours of free electricity on Sundays, ample time to cook a delicious roast dinner with all the trimmings. Throughout November and December, participants have the potential to earn up to 144 hours of free electricity.
The concept of a perfect roast dinner varies across the country, with debates surrounding the ideal gravy, vegetables, and accompaniments. While thick gravy is widely agreed upon as a staple, a staggering 74% of northerners insist that mashed potatoes are essential for a roast dinner. When it comes to vegetables, opinions are divided, with 36% preferring seasonal and roasted veggies, 31% opting for boiled vegetables, and another 31% favouring steamed vegetables.
To kick off the Sunday Saver challenge, EDF partnered with roast enthusiasts Jake and Sophie Quickenden to explore how cooking with free electricity could help settle some of the nation’s top Sunday dinner disputes. Jake, 36, and Sophie, 31, shared their family tradition of bonding over Sunday lunch without distractions, albeit with differing preferences for the perfect roast. Despite their disagreements, the couple found that utilizing free Sunday electricity made the cooking process much more enjoyable.
Rich Hughes, Director of Retail at EDF, highlighted the nation’s willingness to alter electricity usage for financial gain and emphasized the significance of Sundays as a special day for bonding with family. The Sunday Saver challenge aims to provide households with free electricity on Sundays, promoting a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to cooking.
For more information on EDF’s Sunday Saver challenge and how to earn free electricity on Sundays, visit their website.
