Have you ever watched a film and found yourself craving a specific dish featured on screen? According to new research, you're not alone - millions of Britons are now taking culinary inspiration directly from their television screens.
The Screen-to-Table Phenomenon
Research conducted by HelloFresh UK and Paramount+ reveals that 63% of British people now create recipes inspired by their favourite movies and television programmes. The study, published on November 21, 2025, indicates a significant shift in how UK households find meal ideas.
More than half of Brits (55%) now rely on series and films for culinary inspiration, with these sources outperforming traditional media like social media platforms, magazines and newspapers. This trend highlights the growing connection between entertainment consumption and daily cooking habits.
One Menu: A Mountain of Entertainment
To capitalise on this trend, HelloFresh and Paramount+ have collaborated to create 'One Menu. A Mountain of Entertainment' - a special collection of dishes directly inspired by popular films and shows available on the streaming platform.
The limited-edition menu features several creative culinary interpretations including:
- Captain Picard's Roasted Chicken with Red Wine, Apple & Sage Gravy from Star Trek
- Angela's Family Dinner Crispy Chicken Tacos inspired by Landman
- On Wednesdays We Wear Pink Risotto from Mean Girls
- Classic Beef and Pork Lasagne inspired by The Godfather
- Texas BBQ Style Crispy Breaded Chicken Tacos from Landman
The collaboration extends beyond main courses to include desserts and extras such as New York Style Cheesecake from Tulsa King and Tear 'n' Share Garlic Dough Balls Tortoise Shell inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Generational Divides in Culinary Inspiration
The research uncovered interesting generational patterns in how different age groups draw inspiration from screen content. Gen Z viewers predominantly take culinary cues from comedies and cartoons, while 25- to 34-year-olds find inspiration in reality television programming.
Nostalgia plays a powerful role in these cooking decisions, with 56% of respondents reporting they seek out comfort foods from their childhood after watching familiar shows. This emotional connection demonstrates that television influences not just what people cook, but how certain dishes make them feel.
When asked which fictional character they would most like to join for dinner, nearly one fifth (16%) of Britons chose SpongeBob SquarePants, who outperformed iconic figures like Michael Corleone from The Godfather and South Park's Eric Cartman.
Limited Time Offer
Customers need to act quickly to take advantage of this special promotion. To qualify for three months of Paramount+ subscription, participants must receive three HelloFresh recipe boxes by December 19, 2025. This requires placing the first order by November 28, 2025.
Mimi Morley, Senior Recipe Development Manager at HelloFresh UK, commented on the findings: "It's fascinating to uncover this connection between what we eat and what we watch as a nation. Food has always been about storytelling, and every recipe carries a sense of place, mood, or moment - television helps bring those emotions to life."
Anna Priest, Head of Paramount+ UK & Ireland, added: "This is a fun and creative way to connect with people - pairing the stories we love with the meals we share."
To experience these screen-inspired recipes, customers must order at HelloFresh.co.uk by December 5, 2025. The meal kit service operates by delivering pre-measured ingredients with straightforward cooking instructions directly to customers' doors, offering flexibility to skip weeks or cancel at any time.
