For many, securing enough food to sustain themselves and their families is a daily struggle, leaving no space for the joy and cultural connection that food can bring. This disparity is a pressing issue, and one we strive to highlight and address.

The issue is not limited to the poverty and destruction in Gaza or other troubled regions of the world. In developed capitalist countries, the working class, students, even white-collar workers, and the lower tiers of the urban middle class are now confined to fast food, industrialized meals, and frozen ready-made foods. For the working class, something better, something more, has become a luxury they can no longer afford. Even the refined “poor man’s cuisine,” the product of centuries of resourceful cooking, has become out of reach. The family meals of the past century—those that adorned tables, brought people closer, and nurtured both body and soul—are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Historically, the culinary habits of the middle class were shaped by a desire to emulate the sophistication of the upper class while remaining grounded in economic pragmatism (Mennell, 1996). Middle-class households have often explored international cuisines, invested in kitchen technologies, and drawn inspiration from cookbooks, magazines, and more recently, food-related media sources (Bourdieu, 1984).

However, the current economic landscape has significantly altered this dynamic. Recent data from the European Commission (2023) shows that income inequality has widened across many EU countries, with middle-class incomes stagnating while living costs—particularly food prices—have risen sharply. According to Eurostat (2023), food inflation in the eurozone reached an unprecedented high of 14.1% in 2022, significantly limiting disposable income for many households.

As a result, middle-class culinary aspirations have shifted from genuine experimentation to more symbolic forms of engagement. Instead of dining at upscale restaurants or purchasing premium ingredients, many now engage with food culture passively—through cooking shows, following food influencers on social media, or participating in budget-friendly versions of culinary trends.

In this process, many people have been compelled to opt for more affordable yet culturally sophisticated food choices, reflecting both economic necessities and social influences. Below are examples of how Europe’s middle class has turned to such choices:

DIY Gourmet Experiences at Home

Instead of dining at an expensive French restaurant, many middle-class families now prefer to cook classic French dishes like coq au vin or beef bourguignon at home using affordable ingredients.

Similarly, baking artisan-style sourdough bread at home became a widespread trend during the pandemic, influenced by social media, while also being a cost-effective alternative to buying from specialty bakeries.

Budget-Friendly International Cuisine Experiences

As dining at a real Japanese restaurant can be quite expensive, many middle-class households are now buying sushi-making kits from supermarkets and creating their own sushi rolls at home. This allows them to engage with global food culture in a financially accessible way.

Likewise, preparing Mexican-inspired dishes at home has become a popular solution. For example, making tacos using tortillas and basic ingredients from the supermarket offers a much cheaper alternative to restaurant dining.

Budget-Friendly Adaptations of Social Media-Driven Food Trends

Viral TikTok food trends, such as baked feta pasta or dalgona coffee, have become popular among the middle class because they require minimal, affordable ingredients. These recipes offer the opportunity to experience trendy and stylish meals economically.

Instagram-famous charcuterie boards can also be recreated at home on a budget. Instead of specialty cheeses and imported cured meats, affordable ingredients from supermarkets can be used to adapt this trend.

Affordable Luxuries from Discount Stores

Discount retailers like Lidl and Aldi offer affordable luxury food items that appeal to middle-class consumers. Products like truffle oil, gourmet chocolates, or quality cheeses are sold at significantly lower prices compared to specialty stores.

For example, Aldi’s “Specially Selected” Christmas product collection in the UK provides affordable yet luxurious-feeling items during the holiday season for middle-class consumers.

Budget-Friendly Meal Subscription Plans

Meal subscription services like HelloFresh and Gousto allow users to try recipes from various countries at home. Although these services are generally expensive, many companies offer more economical plans or promotional discounts for middle-class customers, enabling culturally rich experiences at home at a lower cost than dining out.

Affordable Fusion Cuisine Experiences

Home cooks can blend different cuisines to create creative and budget-friendly meals. For example, turning leftover roast chicken into a chicken tikka wrap or enhancing simple pasta dishes with Asian sauces offers both cultural diversity and creativity at a low cost.

These examples show that economic constraints have not deterred Europe’s middle class from pursuing cultural richness. Instead, people are creatively recreating these experiences at home and in more affordable ways, often with the influence of social media.

While economic hardship has reshaped middle-class food habits, social media has emerged as an influential force driving culinary aspiration and engagement. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have transformed how individuals interact with food culture, serving as virtual stages where users showcase recipes, dining experiences, and food-related content.

Social media’s influence lies in its ability to combine visual appeal with cultural aspiration. Research by Gligorić et al. (2023) indicates that social media reinforces consumption patterns through social mimicry—individuals are influenced by the food preferences of those around them and online influencers.

However, economic limitations mean that middle-class individuals often engage with these food trends in symbolic ways.  Those unable to afford luxury dining experiences instead attempt gourmet recipes at home using affordable ingredients to replicate such experiences.

Furthermore, social media has amplified a performative culture around food consumption. The aestheticization of food through visually striking imagery has often prioritized appearance over taste or authenticity. This shift reflects a broader trend where food consumption becomes more about social validation than genuine culinary enjoyment (Johnston & Baumann, 2010).