My life as a vegetarian began in 1990 and I certainly wasn't the only one; the number of vegetarians in the country doubled during the nineties. The world was changing with a new Labour government, IKEA encouraging us to "chuck out the chintz", Changing Rooms and Ground Force showing us we could live differently from our parents and the food world was revolutionised.
- there was a greater variety of vegetables and fruit from around the world
- superstores sold everything under one roof and value brands were introduced
- bags of mixed salad leaves were available
- organic food became popular
- veggie box schemes began
- cooking became a leisure activity done at the weekends using quality fresh ingredients
- barbecues (including gas-fired) were used
- eating out (gastropubs) was done more frequently and cafe culture was beginning
- Ready Steady Cook was on the TV
- Delia Smith and Jamie Oliver simplified home cooking and entertaining
- Masterchef was aired for the first time
- the recession meant many men were at home/worked from home and would cook meals
- people liked holding dinner parties and showing off ingredients and culinary skills
- supermarkets stocked wines from around the world
- wine programmes were aired and books published
- aspirational gadgets included cafetières, (Philip Starke) juicers, pasta machines
- people were time-poor midweek and convenience foods were available including chilled, ready meals, jars of sauce (Chicken Tonight), pre made pasta (tortellini)
- in the early 1990s a lot of meat was consumed but when Mad Cow Disease broke out, beef sales plummeted. Despite the government saying the meat was okay, a variant of BSE could kill humans
We take all of the above for granted now and the world is moving on apace but look at how the food industry changed, for better and for worse, during the nineties.
