Gen Z are reviving dinner parties – but the pursuit of perfection is the biggest pitfall
They might be credited with bringing back the dinner party - but when it comes to actually hosting, Gen Z would often rather not.
A new study from ASK Italian has found that while 18 to 24-year-olds are the nation’s most enthusiastic hosts in theory, in reality, they are the most likely to cancel at the last minute.
According to research of 2000 Brits, nearly nine in 10 Gen Z (88%) say they enjoy having people over for dinner - higher than any other age group. They are also the most prolific hosts, throwing an average of eight dinner parties a year compared to the national average of six.
But beneath that enthusiasm lies a growing pressure to get everything “just right” - with generosity and connection at risk of being overshadowed by performance.
A striking 87% admit they often dread guests arriving - significantly higher than the national average of 74%, and more than double the figure for over 65s (40%). The same proportion (87%) admit that they often experience hosting anxiety, suggesting the pressure to get everything “just right” is taking the shine off socialising.
“There’s clearly a real appetite among Gen Z for getting people together over food, but there’s also a lot of pressure wrapped up in what hosting is supposed to look like,” said Caitlin Hoey, Senior Brand Manager at ASK Italian.
For a generation that’s often highly self-aware, even something as simple as having friends over can start to feel high stakes. When that happens, it’s easy to see why people lean towards lower-pressure ways to spend time together - even though the real value is in those generous, shared moments.”
At its heart, hosting is about generosity - creating a space where people feel welcome, comfortable, and looked after.”
While 87% say they look forward to having people over, the same proportion admit they are mindful about getting everything right - significantly higher than the national average (74%) and more than double that of over-65s (40%).
When it comes to the reasons behind these last-minute cancellations, low ‘social battery’ tops the list (30%), followed by feeling too tired to cook (25%), concerns about a messy home (19%) and worrying things won’t go to plan (10%). Nearly three in ten (29%) even admit to pretending to be ill to avoid hosting altogether.
For many, that pressure turns what should be a generous act into a stressful one - with more than three quarters of Gen Z (77%) cancelling a dinner party because they felt too overwhelmed, compared to 58% overall and just 22% of over 65s.
Even when plans go ahead, it is not always plain sailing. One in five (19%) 18–24-year-olds say they spend hours cleaning beforehand, only to feel too exhausted to fully enjoy the evening. Meanwhile, over a fifth (22%) have passed off takeaway as their own cooking - with 14% doing the same with ready meals.
Busy lifestyles are the biggest barrier (40%), but expectations around hosting also play a role. Three in ten (30%) say the pressure to deliver a ‘perfect’ evening has made them less likely to host, while 11% admit they lack the confidence to do it properly.
Overall, 42% say hosting can feel like more effort than it’s worth.
As a result, many are choosing alternatives that offer the same social connection without the pressure. Half of Gen Z (49%) say eating out with friends is far less stressful than hosting at home. For 32%, it removes the pressure to cook, while a quarter (24%) say it allows them to properly relax and enjoy time together.
The findings highlight a generation that still values coming together over food, but is increasingly seeking ways to do it that feel easier, more spontaneous and rooted in genuine connection.
ENDS
About the research:
Online survey of 2,000 UK-based adults, commissioned by ASK Italian and conducted by Walr in February 2026.
About ASK Italian
ASK Italian is a family of restaurants, located in the heart of local communities across the UK. The restaurant chain takes inspiration from the Italian way of life, putting their heart and soul into the finer details so when you visit, you can relax, unwind, feel special and return to.
Known for everyday memorable experiences, created by people for people, ASK Italian is working to build a more sustainably minded business with people, planet and plate at the forefront - strengthening communities and caring for the planet for generations to come.