David Saunders
It turns out your mum’s cooking isn’t just a sentimental favourite—it’s a scientific fact. According to a new UK study, food made by someone you love genuinely tastes better than anything a Michelin-starred chef can throw at you.
One in three Brits (34%) swore that mum’s food is the best, while a whopping 85 percent said they always look forward to tucking into something their parents whip up. Even romance has a place in the kitchen, with 40 percent insisting their partner’s dishes outshine anyone else’s.
And here’s the kicker: the research, commissioned by Lurpak and led by Oxford professor and food psychologist Charles Spence, backed it up with hard data. In blind tests, volunteers sampled two identical bakes—one made by a loved one, the other by a professional pastry chef who’s plied his trade at London’s top hotels, including The Savoy.
The results? Every single taster preferred the loved one’s version. Not 60%, not 80%—all of them. The pros may have the training, but the heartstrings beat the kitchen knives every time.
Professor Spence explained: “For this Taste Test, we used heart rate monitors, micro facial expression analysis and questionnaires to assess the emotional responses of the tasters in real time. It was great to see the tasters react so instantly to the tastes of the loved ones’ bakes, with their heart rates spiking and some lovely smiles of recognition appearing straight away. This demonstration illustrates what the science shows, namely that love is the secret ingredient in baking.
What’s striking to me is how clearly it shows that taste is intrinsically linked to memory, emotion and ultimately, feelings of joy and love. The taste test demonstrates something universal – baking isn’t just about flavour or technique. It’s about the care and love that goes into it. That’s what people taste, and that’s what makes home bakes so special – and memorable.”
So yes, mum’s cooking might have less to do with salt and sugar and more to do with sentiment.
The survey of 2,000 Brits uncovered more sweet truths:
- Nine in ten (90%) agreed food tastes better when made by someone they love.
- 28 percent said it reminds them of childhood, while 27 percent said it sparks happy memories.
- Three-quarters (76%) recalled baking with parents or grandparents as children—cupcakes, chocolate cake and cookies topping the list of nostalgic treats.
- Nearly half (40%) said baking together actually strengthens their relationships.
- Two-thirds (67%) stick to recipes passed down the family line, with more than half (52%) keeping a dedicated family recipe book.
| Rank | Bake | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victoria sponge | 40% |
| 2 | Chocolate cake | 39% |
| 3 | Apple pie | 29% |
| 4 | Chocolate brownies | 26% |
| 5 | Banana bread | 24% |
| 6 | Cupcakes | 23% |
| 7 | Lemon drizzle cake | 20% |
| 8 | Scones | 19% |
| 9 | Fruit cake | 19% |
| 10 | Chocolate chip cookies | 18% |
Catriona Mantle, Marketing Director at Lurpak, added her take: “Food lovers know there’s real joy in baking for someone you love. The ones who find joy in every swirl, every whisk, every golden rise.
Good food deserves the best ingredients. Whether it’s mum’s birthday cake, your husband’s cookies, or grandad’s scones, those simple bakes just taste better.”
And if you’re wondering what tops Britain’s all-time bake chart, the classic Victoria sponge takes the crown with 40 percent of the vote, followed closely by chocolate cake (39%), apple pie (29%), chocolate brownies (26%) and banana bread (24%).
So next time you turn your nose up at mum’s overcooked peas or under-seasoned mash, remember: science is on her side.
