When it comes to processed foods, I have to admit, I am a bit of a snob! I grew up almost entirely on a home-cooked diet including very few processed foods. It wasn’t even a choice, that’s just the way things were in my family and that lifestyle continues with me now.

As a result, I have always viewed processed food with suspicion, chemically enhanced, un-natural and un-healthy – a fairly narrow-minded view I know. However, things are changing, food processing companies are now conceding to public opinion and concerns for more healthy foods. After all, it’s simply a question of supply and demand; the public is demanding healthy, un-tainted foods and these companies risk loosing business (and money!) if they don’t supply what their consumers want.

One company that has suffered a lot from consumer disapproval is Bernard Matthews the iconic turkey processors . Following the criticism of Turkey Twizzlers in Jamie Oliver’s campaign for better school dinners and an outbreak of bird flu hit its Norfolk farms in 2007, the company has seen serious drops in sales.

As part of the company’s business recovery plan, Bernard Matthews said that it will relaunch the brand, creating a new healthier image that will be supported by a series of new product launches.

From September, the new products will be made with 100% British turkey and only natural ingredients; there will be no artificial colours and flavours, and the products will contain lower levels of saturated fats and salt.

Bernard Matthews is also extending it’s free range turkey line and introducing a new frozen product range that is billed as healthy and convenient. Called Big Green Tick, it aims to be marked green on the UK’s Guideline Daily Amounts nutritional labelling scheme.

So, it seems we can look forward to a healthier Bernard Matthews range. It is difficult to alter a bad reputation once it has been earned and I honestly don’t think I will be rushing out to buy Bernard Mathews products. But it is satisfying to know that the consumer is being listened to, especially when their concerns are 100% warranted.

Saturday August 2 is expected to be the biggest barbequing day in Britain according to research, but it could well be a washout – more than three-quarters (78%) of us have had a barbeque rained off in the last year, and weather tops the list of things which stops us eating outdoors.

Astonishingly, a third (33%) of the UK population has between six and 15 BBQs a year – though many have ended a damp squib according to the new survey by leading cooking appliance brand Stoves, which has prompted an SoS – ‘Save our Summer BBQs’ campaign with celebrity chef Brian Turner.

The research into the UK’s barbequing habits has uncovered just how much the British climate is dampening the UK’s passion for cooking outdoors, with more than three-quarters of respondents (78%) revealing that it is the unpredictable British weather that will keep them away from the BBQ this summer.

The survey, which questioned 1,000 people, also discovered that just over half of respondents (51%) have up to five BBQs per year, but 80% of us would happily have more if it wasn’t for the damp British weather.

The poll asked respondents which day and month they would most likely to have a BBQ this year and Saturday August 2 came top – most likely a combination of school summer holidays, hope of good weather and, for dads in particular, ahead of the start of the football season.

Jane Rylands, Marketing Services Manager at Stoves, said: “The British public clearly love a BBQ, the only problem is our climate – last summer was a complete wash-out.

“The BBQ party that was either postponed or moved indoors because of rain is an all too familiar sight in Britain, so this year Stoves have come up with a ‘Plan B’.

“Using little more than a bit of advance preparation, some quick marinades, and a few top tips from top chef Brian Turner we can easily

cook BBQ-style food in our kitchens.”

Unsurprisingly, the survey also confirmed that the BBQ really is a male domain, with over two-thirds (67%) of males admitting to taking the head chef role. Females seem happy to take a back seat though, with nearly a quarter (23%) admitting they don’t enjoying cooking outdoors.

Burgers topped the poll of the nation’s favourite BBQ food taking a third (33%) of respondents’ votes. Steak came a close second, preferred by nearly a quarter (23%), with the Aussie BBQ favourite – shrimps

(prawns) – lagging behind with only 5% of people citing them as their favourite BBQ dish.

Meanwhile, figures from the Met Office reveal that last summer was the wettest since records began with 387.6mm of rain falling on England and Wales between May and July. What is more, Met office predications for the remainder of this summer foresee chances of more frequent cloudy and cool spells compared to recent summers prior to 2007 and a possibility of above-average rain.

The threat of an August 2 wash-out is worse from long range forecasters Positive Weather Solutions, Senior Weather Forecaster Jonathan Powell

said: “August will probably see the highest temperatures across the UK for the year – however, the first two-weeks of the month look distinctly unsettled, with showers very much in evidence, and thunderstorms a distinct possibility. Any fine conditions will be short lived, but there may well be sufficient enough drier weather, to enable some limited outdoor cooking”

Met Office figures also reveal the top three counties most likely to be worse hit this summer because of their highest rainfall:

· Westmorland

· Cumberland

· Cornwall

‘Save our Summer BBQs’ Campaign

With the UK’s obvious love for all things BBQ but the anticipated unpredictable soggy weather, this summer Stoves is helping the nation rescue the BBQ season by encouraging more people to make preparations for impromptu indoor cooking with its ‘Save Our Summer BBQs’ campaign, led by celebrity chef Brian Turner.

Brian’s top tips for an indoor BBQ this summer include:

1. Set the scene by turning the indoors outdoors – use garden furniture, big plants, scented candles, lanterns, picnic plates and bowls, plastic glasses and a big bucket filled with ice and beer, cider or Pimm’s

2. Cook your BBQ food using a griddle pan – it will create the same BBQ taste, especially with a few burnt bits

3. Think about your menu – sausages and burgers are old BBQ favourites but you can also experiment with kebabs, tasty marinades, roasted vegetables and fish or shellfish such as king prawns. For dessert, toast marshmallows on the gas hob or try fruity kebabs, apples or bananas cooked in the oven

4. Keep cutlery to a minimum – it’s a BBQ not a sit down dinner!

5. Turn up some fun upbeat/ weather themed music to keep everyone’s spirits high! A few favourites include: Summertime (Will Smith), Walking on Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves), Raining Men (Weather Girls)

Brian Turner added: “BBQs are a lot of fun but in this country more often than not they are subject to the changeable British summer weather. There is no reason why people can’t apply the principles of outdoor barbequing to the indoors.

“Sausage, burgers, steaks and kebabs can all be cooked on a griddle pan to achieve that authentic barbequed flavour. Tasty marinades can spice up chicken, fish and beef and salads and roasted vegetables make a great alternative to chips.

“With a bit of thought and imagination it is easy to create an authentic indoor BBQ this summer.”

For Brian Turner’s ‘Best Burger in the World’ recipe, indoor BBQ ideas and more information about the ‘Save Our Summer BBQs’ campaign visit www.stoves.co.uk/bbqs