Flaming Failures! 11 Millions Barbecues Will be Spoiled this Summer
Researchers have found bad company, drunken guests and food running out too soon contribute to BBQs being hailed a failure.
A lack of tipple and poor choice of music can also kill the buzz of an al fresco eating experience. The study also found the average adult will attend or rustle up four 'barbies' this year - which is a staggering 108 million over the 27 million UK households.
But of these, close to 11 per cent will fail spectacularly.
Additionally the study by Simply Beef & Lamb revealed one in five (22 per cent) Brits have been subjected to burned or under-cooked food. Other respondents have even been at a BBQ which was wrecked by a fight.
Nick White, spokesman for Simply Beef and Lamb, which carried out the study of 2,000 adults, said: "Following our survey, we are launching a campaign to get Brits grilling like Americans, Aussies and Argentinians. We're asking Brits to banish boring barbecue food and to come together to 'raise the steaks'."
"It's a misconception that steak is difficult to cook on the barbecue – it's actually one of the quickest and tastiest meats to prepare on the grill. There are numerous ways to enjoy it, from cutting it into kebabs to marinating it in different flavours.''
The study also asked the panel of 2,000 adults to name their barbecue bug-bears. While a dirty grill came top (27 per cent) and people with bad eating or table manners was second (21 per cent), one in five said they despised 'back-seat BBQers' who hover close to the grill criticising the chef's cooking skills or offering pointless advice.
Spending hours cooking only for people to be too drunk to eat is a particular irritation, as are awkward vegetarians. Couples who publicly display their love for each other, men huddling around the barbecue and drunken arguments can all bug guests.
While 18 per cent of respondents admit they are tired of the same old bangers and burgers, more than one third want to see more meat on their barbecue. Over half of those polled admit countries such as the USA, Australia and Argentina are better at barbecuing than Brits – despite our reputation for getting out the grill the minute the sun starts to shine.
* For easy BBQ recipes go to www.simplybeefandlamb.co.uk
TOP 10 SIGNS A BARBECUE HAS FAILED:
Undercooked food
Rain
Burnt food
Bad company
People who are too drunk
Not enough food
Poor BBQ skills
No alcohol
Bad music
Boring and predictable food
TOP 10 BARBECUE BUGBEARS:
Dirty BBQ grill
People with bad eating manners
Criticism and advice from 'back seat' BBQ-ers
The amount of smoke from the BBQ
Drunk arguments
Same old bangers and burgers
Vegetarians being awkward
Couples' public display of affection
All the men huddling around the BBQ
The fact you spend hours cooking and then everyone is too drunk to eat
Are you a double dipper? Let us know on Twitter @theladymagazine
A lack of tipple and poor choice of music can also kill the buzz of an al fresco eating experience. The study also found the average adult will attend or rustle up four 'barbies' this year - which is a staggering 108 million over the 27 million UK households.
But of these, close to 11 per cent will fail spectacularly.
Additionally the study by Simply Beef & Lamb revealed one in five (22 per cent) Brits have been subjected to burned or under-cooked food. Other respondents have even been at a BBQ which was wrecked by a fight.
Nick White, spokesman for Simply Beef and Lamb, which carried out the study of 2,000 adults, said: "Following our survey, we are launching a campaign to get Brits grilling like Americans, Aussies and Argentinians. We're asking Brits to banish boring barbecue food and to come together to 'raise the steaks'."
"It's a misconception that steak is difficult to cook on the barbecue – it's actually one of the quickest and tastiest meats to prepare on the grill. There are numerous ways to enjoy it, from cutting it into kebabs to marinating it in different flavours.''
The study also asked the panel of 2,000 adults to name their barbecue bug-bears. While a dirty grill came top (27 per cent) and people with bad eating or table manners was second (21 per cent), one in five said they despised 'back-seat BBQers' who hover close to the grill criticising the chef's cooking skills or offering pointless advice.
Spending hours cooking only for people to be too drunk to eat is a particular irritation, as are awkward vegetarians. Couples who publicly display their love for each other, men huddling around the barbecue and drunken arguments can all bug guests.
While 18 per cent of respondents admit they are tired of the same old bangers and burgers, more than one third want to see more meat on their barbecue. Over half of those polled admit countries such as the USA, Australia and Argentina are better at barbecuing than Brits – despite our reputation for getting out the grill the minute the sun starts to shine.
* For easy BBQ recipes go to www.simplybeefandlamb.co.uk
TOP 10 SIGNS A BARBECUE HAS FAILED:
Undercooked food
Rain
Burnt food
Bad company
People who are too drunk
Not enough food
Poor BBQ skills
No alcohol
Bad music
Boring and predictable food
TOP 10 BARBECUE BUGBEARS:
Dirty BBQ grill
People with bad eating manners
Criticism and advice from 'back seat' BBQ-ers
The amount of smoke from the BBQ
Drunk arguments
Same old bangers and burgers
Vegetarians being awkward
Couples' public display of affection
All the men huddling around the BBQ
The fact you spend hours cooking and then everyone is too drunk to eat
Are you a double dipper? Let us know on Twitter @theladymagazine