More than one in five Britons admit they judge the quality of other people’s barbecues, a study has revealed.
Researchers found 22% assess their friends and relatives’ outdoor cooking skills, while 35% believe the British BBQ has become a ‘competitive sport’.
The poll of 2,000 adults by Yorkshire’s Aagrah Foods found four in ten no longer consider simply serving burgers and sausages enough to impress guests.
Hosts are increasingly expected to provide marinades, quality condiments and a choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
But despite Britain’s growing culinary ambitions, burnt sausages remain the biggest barbecue failure, cited by 45%.
Raw chicken was second at 37%, followed by starting the BBQ so late that guests are left hungry, at 27%.
Shakil Hussain, co-founder of Aagrah Foods, which commissioned the research, said summer entertaining had become more ‘experience-led’, with guests increasingly looking for variety and memorable flavours.
He commented: “The British BBQ has evolved massively. People want variety and theatre now, and the days of someone standing over a disposable BBQ burning sausages are fading fast.
“People are experimenting with marinades, and dishes inspired by their travels. Chicken tikka skewers, marinated paneer, chutney-glazed pineapple and spice-rubbed meats are very much part of the line-up British BBQs.”
The poll also revealed growing demand for more sophisticated summer hosting touches, with Brits increasingly expecting brioche buns (18%), home-made breads (17%), cocktails on arrival (8%) and even Ottolenghi-inspired salads (2%).
Shakil added: “Summer entertaining is becoming much more experience-led. People want memorable and exciting food, and the easiest way to achieve this is to elevate BBQ food is through flavour. Marinades, chutneys and spice blends can completely transform simple dishes without making things complicated.”
BIGGEST BBQ FAILS:
1. Burnt sausages – 45%
2. Raw chicken – 37%
3. Starting too late so everyone is starving – 27%
4. Not enough food – 23%
5. Running out of charcoal or gas – 21%
6. Not planning for bad weather – 20%
7. Cooking everything at once – 19%
8. Forgetting to defrost meat – 17%
9. Undercooking burgers – 16%
10. Burning your hand – 15%
