WE'RE 'SIZZLING IN THE RAIN'

Almost Half of Britain's Barbecue Lovers Do It With Their Brollies Up

New survey launched as over 11 million Brits make plans for barbecues this Bank Holiday Weekend¹

A new survey, commissioned by the British Trout Association (BTA), shows that when it comes to barbecues the British bulldog spirit is still alive and kicking. Despite one of the wettest summers in recent years, nearly half of Brits questioned say they refuse to let bad weather spoil their barbecues and just "cook-on", regardless of rain - with a hardy 23% carrying on the party in the wet and one in four leaving the cook outside to barbecue under an umbrella.

But, despite the nation's on-going passion for barbecues, it seems our penchant for traditional barbecue fare is on the wane. Almost two-thirds of those surveyed said they would like to see more fish being served, apparently welcoming a change from British staples such as burgers, bangers and chicken.

Over half the people questioned stated that one of the most common 'barbecue' problems is being served meat that it is charred on the outside and underdone on the inside - highlighting the very real risk of food poisoning from barbecued meat².

According to chef, Antony Worrall Thompson, one solution is to try fish, such as trout: "Some people think fish is tricky to cook on the barbecue but in fact the opposite is true. Trout is ideal for barbecuing because it cooks quickly and easily, it won't dry out and best of all you don't have to spend hours preparing it."

The NOP survey confirms that barbecues remain the male domain and also what many women already know - that although most men tend to light the barbecue (98% of men and 93% of women agreed) and cook the food (87% of men and 85% of women agreed), it is usually the women who are left to clear up afterwards (67% of men and 88% of women agreed)³.

"Our research clearly shows that barbecues are the preferred way to eat during the summer, whatever the weather⁴," says Mark Davies, chairman of the British Trout Association."

Mark adds: "Many people, however, do seem to have difficulties cooking meat properly on the barbecue. Nearly half of the people we asked find the long wait for food to cook a problem while others end up eating potentially dangerous, underdone meat.

"People might find that serving more fish could help beat barbecue blues because it is so quick and easy to cook. We find it encouraging that people want to see more fish served at barbecues and hope the Brits will start being more adventurous by trying fish such as trout which is a healthy and tasty alternative to meat."

Footnotes:

1. 24% of those questioned in a survey carried out by NOP solutions said they planned to hold or attend a barbecue during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Figures based on UK population 15+ estimated at approx 46 million.
2. More than three-quarters said a common 'barbecue' problem was bad weather, while 41% objected to the long wait for the barbecue to light. One in five said they found barbecue food uninteresting
3. The 20% discrepancy between female and male responses - with only 67% of men agreeing that women clear up compared to 85% of women who agreed - suggests both a difference in perception and potential point of conflict between the sexes!
4. Of those questioned, over a third (37%) chose barbecues as their favourite way of eating, followed by 26% who preferred to eating alfresco in the garden. 22% of respondents named restaurant dining as their first choice, with 9% selecting picnic eating, and 3% a smart dinner party. NOP Solutions carried out the research by telephone among 983 adults aged 15+ between the 14th -16th July and 1001 adults aged 15+ between the 12th-13th August.

British Trout Association, The Rural Centre, West Mains, Ingliston EH28 8NZ
Tel: 0131 472 4080    Fax: 0131 472 4083     E-mail: mail@britishtrout.co.uk