A new survey has found that Gen Z diners are reshaping the traditional Sunday roast, swapping staples such as roast potatoes, gravy and Yorkshire puddings for additions like ketchup, chilli oil, kimchi and avocado. Researchers behind the study say those aged 18 to 29 are altering the meal's conventions more than any other age group, reflecting a wider trend of younger diners bringing global flavours to classic British dishes while still valuing comfort and nostalgia.

The poll of 2,000 people, carried out by Lightspeed, found 39 per cent of Gen Z respondents add ketchup to their roast, 26 per cent add mayonnaise and 23 per cent opt for hot sauce, with smaller shares using chilli oil, hot honey, kimchi, avocado or sriracha; 12 per cent have dropped Yorkshire puddings and 14 per cent have swapped roasties for mash. Despite this experimentation, most Britons remain protective of the classics, with 68 per cent saying roast potatoes should never be dropped, and beef remaining the nation's favourite roast meat (32 per cent). Chef Sally Abé said diners have become more adventurous over the past decade but still crave dishes that evoke childhood and traditional British cooking, provided they are made with quality ingredients.