According to new research by premium food retailer, Mil Lel, home entertaining has become the preferred choice of many Australians who realise the cost-cutting benefits of eating in instead of dining out. 91 per cent said that when money is tight, they are more likely to stay at home to entertain than head out for dinner, and almost 40 per cent revealed that they consider eating out to be a luxury they simply cannot afford.

It seems that despite tough times, Australians still look for a little indulgence where they can get it. One in two Australians revealed they are happy to spend more on quality ingredients in order to create delicious, top-class meals in their own homes. Get inspired by creating easy-reference recipe cards for your favourite new dishes.

This general shift towards fine dining at home has clearly been embraced by many, and despite the economic climate forcing families to cut back, the move has offered many aspiring 'foodies' the opportunity to explore their culinary talents and recreate the more innovative dishes they enjoy in their favourite restaurants.

Furthermore, a quarter of the respondents said they'd actually prefer to stay at home to create a gourmet meal themselves at a fraction of the cost of eating out, while a fifth said they considered home entertaining far more intimate and enjoyable all round.

The findings of the survey support other retail data released earlier this year by the ABS which revealed Australians are forking out more on groceries and less on discretionary spending — particularly cafes, restaurants and takeaways. Using our grocery list and weekly meal planner is a good way to keep track of how much of the family budget you’re spending on food to feed the family each week.

A number of premium food retailers are responding to this exciting trend by launching new gourmet product ranges and deli-quality produce in supermarkets.