Roast and the loaf 'among dying cooking arts'

They are the staples of the British kitchen, but a new study shows preparing a Sunday roast or baking a loaf is beyond many of us.

The poll, commissioned by the London Restaurant Awards, reveals we are losing the ability to cook basic dishes from scratch.

Almost half the 1,143 people surveyed admitted they would be unable to bake bread.

Margaret Clancy, of the London Restaurant Awards, said: "Today's fast-paced society means the simple, classic recipes, which are the corner stone of our home cooking, are simply dying out."

The London Restaurant Awards, in association with the Evening Standard, will be held at the Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane on 1 September.