Ocado host live online Mealtime Masterclasses with top chefs - join in tomorrow !

 Calling all wannabe chefs ! I was invited to join in with the Google+ hangout but unfortunately I won't be available. I'll be trying out the recipes at a later date though so I'll be sure to tell you all about how they turned out ! It's interesting to see we all buy recipe books then stick to classic tried-and-tested dishes - I certainly recognise myself in there, although I do like to branch out and try new recipes when I have the time (and ingredients !).

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Ocado uncovers a nation of Food Voyeurs

Brits sit back and enjoy exotic cooking shows...with a plate of bangers and mash

ONLINE SUPERMARKET Ocado launches an interactive Mealtime Masterclass as research reveals that the UK is a nation of arm-chair eaters. Despite having shelves which heave under the weight of numerous cookbooks and the television regularly tuned into exotic celebrity food programmes, Brits vote 'simple British food' as their favourite.

Research reveals that Brits put sausages and mash, fish and chips and meat and two veg ahead of Indian, Chinese and European dishes.

50 per cent of the country claim to own more than four cookbooks, however, ocado.com finds that the spine on many of these has yet to be broken, with 10 per cent of people admitting they never use them, instead defaulting to British classics like Shepherd’s Pie. To add to what Ocado has termed as ‘Food Voyeurism’, despite more than a quarter (27 per cent) of Brits watching two television cookery shows a week, many (40 per cent) would prefer to stick to a 'nice, basic menu' at home.

In what is a big celebratory year for the UK, with all eyes focused on Blighty, Ocado’s poll of 1,000 people to launch its new Mealtime Masterclasses found that traditional fare comes up trumps in the nation’s homes. With patriotism at an all time high, classic British meals are king in the eyes, and stomachs, of the nation;  many opting to stick with old time favourites as opposed to trying out new cuisines in the kitchen.

The Ocado Mealtime Masterclass programme launches this week to celebrate our patriotic palates and get Brits to try something new by giving old favourites an exotic twist.  Kicking off with the UK’s first ever live-streamed web cook-along, the food emporium will team up with renowned chefs from Great British Chefs, the premium recipe website, to create remixed versions of institutions in British grub. Members of the public can join in with the classes or simply watch for inspiration.

Ocado has also revealed that the UK’s favourite dishes cooked at least once a fortnight by the nation are:

1 - Spaghetti Bolognese - 63 per cent

2 - Meat and two veg - 54 per cent

3 - Sausage and mash - 47 per cent

4 - Beans on toast - 46 per cent

5 - Shepherd's pie - 45 per cent

Ocado co-founder Jason Gissing says: “It seems as though the British public are playing it safe when it comes to food, opting to cook up traditional fare as opposed to trying out the adventurous meals that they see on television or read about.  Our interactive cooking classes with the UK’s top chefs have been created to help people take the plunge and remix the traditional British classics that they love so much. With so many exotic ingredients available at Ocado.com alongside our good old British favourites, it’s never been easier to experiment.”

Brits prefer meals to be quick and easy, with the poll revealing that more than three quarters (78 per cent) rustle up breakfast, lunch and dinner in less than 30 minutes rather than 'taking hours over grub'.

Research from the online grocer also reveals that:

·         Five per cent live off takeaways, or frequently buy pre-made food

·         Nine per cent spend a maximum of 10 minutes in the kitchen a day

·         Seven per cent eat out more than once a week; 19 per cent once a week; 22 per cent two times a month;23 per cent once a month; 13 per cent less than once a month; 12 per cent 'hardly ever' and four per cent 'never' eat out

With esteemed food writer and critic, Matthew Fort, compering proceedings on Wednesday 20^th June, the Ocado Mealtime Masterclasses in association with Great British Chefs will see top UK chefs, all of whom have been awarded Michelin Stars, creating new takes on classic British dishes. The live and interactive cookalongs, via Google Hangouts and streaming live through YouTube, will feature Galton Blackiston’s Quail Scotch Eggs, Simon Hulstone’s Curried Chicken Kiev and Pimm’s Jelly dessert from Josh Eggleton.  Visit ocado.com/masterclass for all the details about the events and where you can link to buy your ingredients in advance from Ocado.

Visit www.greatbritishchefs.com/ocado-mealtime-masterclass or ocado.com/masterclass for all the details about the event and where you can link to buy your ingredients in advance from Ocado

Wednesday, 20^th June, 2012 – Ocado Mealtime Masterclass Schedule

Quail Scotch Eggs - Galton Blackiston -  12:15

Curried Chicken Kiev - Simon Hulstone – 14:15

Pimms Jelly - Josh Eggleton – 16:30

The full Great British Chefs Ocado recipe collection will be available at: http://www.ocado.com/webshop/recipecategory/great-british-chefs/19685 and www.greatbritishchefs.com/ocado

For further information on Ocado, visit www.ocado.com.

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