Sales of food preparation equipment have surpassed £100m for the first time ever, with food processors and kitchen machines showing strong growth in 2010.
The popularity of home cooking was borne out by the latest GfK Retail and Technology statistics, which revealed that the moving annual total sales for this category reached a historic £103m between December 2009 and November 2010.

The November market soared in comparison with the same month last year, with sales growing 50.3% to £12.3m, Food processors remains the most influential category, according to GfK, accounting for a quarter of the annual sales value in the kitchen prep market and doubling its monthly sales value compared with November 2009.

Kitchen machines reported the strongest growth throughout the year, with moving annual total sales up by a third in value terms.

GfK account manager Andrew Walsh said: "This exceptional growth clearly shows that consumers are comfortable buying into the premium segment of this market. The soaring popularity in home cooking, thanks in part to the age of the celebrity chef, cookery programmes and fine dining, are inspiring consumers to follow suit."