Food prices: Can the beloved Full English breakfast survive in 2023?

So why, on a bright and sunny Sunday morning, is inflation preying on my mind as I turn sizzling sausages in a pan and keep a watchful eye on a pot of bubbling baked beans?

The cost of my weekly shop seems to have stabilised over the past three weeks, which tracks with what the Financial Times is reporting - that inflation is at one of its lowest levels this year.

Experts have credited the cheaper cost of food grown in the UK, however, I can’t imagine prices will stay static for long.

We have all seen how food prices can wildly fluctuate. It is therefore no surprise that the Government - much like myself watching that pot of baked beans - is keeping a close eye on the price of ingredients such as eggs and sausages.

Earlier this week (Thursday, October 31) they launched a review to increase fairness in the egg supply chain.

British pig farmers meanwhile continue to sound the alarm of a shrinking pig population, which has fallen from approximately 8 million in the 1990s to around 5 million today.

Does this spell the end of the Full English breakfast?

The Full English breakfast is one of the world’s most versatile and celebrated meals.

It can be enjoyed at any time of the day, so in all honesty, I don’t think it will ever go out of fashion.

It has too many fans and is an institution in its own right that ensures it will live on forever (I hope).

What may change are the components that make up a Full English breakfast.

Yes, I know you can’t beat a crispy rasher of bacon and seasoned pork sausage, however, if these are unavailable, a good option may be plant-based alternatives if you really want to satisfy your meat craving.

I tried bacon rashers by vegan food producer THIS! and they were really good and smoky. They even crisped up well when I was frying them, so there is hope.

If high egg prices are off-putting - a pack of 12 large free range from Asda cost £2.80 in February - then it may be worth buying in bulk which could be cheaper.

The shelf-life of eggs seems to be a few weeks if stored correctly, however, they can also be frozen.

So if you spot cheaper eggs, stockpiling them in the freezer could be a savvy move.

There is something so comforting about cooking and tucking into a full English breakfast.

I find cooking breakfast one of the ultimate acts of self-care.

Gathering all the ingredients, slicing earthy mushrooms and juicy tomatoes and hearing the robust sizzle of the bacon, is simply wonderful.

I don’t think I will ever tire of it and I hope to enjoy this epic meal for many years to come.