Scotland’s National Chef Gary Maclean shares top 5 BBQ hacks – and his own Scottish barbecue twists

MasterChef champion Gary Maclean has teamed up with Mary’s Meals this National BBQ Week to encourage Scots to back the charity throughout barbecue season

Firing up the barbecue this week? Gary Maclean, Scotland’s National Chef, has you covered! 

It’s National BBQ Week and MasterChef champion and long-time Mary’s Meals supporter Gary has compiled his top five tips to make a stress-free family cookout. 

Gary is backing the international school meals charity once more and encouraging people to donate to Mary’s Meals during National BBQ Week (26 May – 1 June). 

Mary Meals feeds more than 2.6 million children every school day in 16 countries across the world. By offering a daily meal in school, Mary’s Meals attracts children from the world’s poorest communities into the classroom where they can gain an education which can be their ladder out of poverty. 

Gary says: “It costs only £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a school year, just 10p a meal, which is such incredible value!

“This National BBQ Week, you could ask family and friends for a small donation to come along to your barbecue, and if you use my five top tips, you’ll make your guests happy all while giving hope to hungry children.” 

  1. Marinate ahead
    Marinate meat overnight to build flavour and tenderise. A mix of whisky, honey, cracked pepper and thyme works well with pork, chicken or game.
  2. Bring to room temperature
    Take meat or fish out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. It’ll cook more evenly and won’t stick to the grill as much.
  3. Use two heat zones
    Set your barbecue with a hot side for searing and a cooler side for finishing. It gives you more control and helps avoid flare-ups.
  4. Add a bit of smoke
    A handful of soaked oak chips or sprigs of rosemary on the coals adds great flavour. Dried heather works too, if you have it.
  5. Rest before carving
    Let meat rest under foil before serving. It keeps it juicy and gives you better texture.

Bonus Tips 

  • Grilled Veg – Courgettes, mushrooms, and leeks grill beautifully. Season well and finish with a bit of crumbled crowdie. 
  • Quick Grill Cleaner – Rub a hot grill with half an onion on a fork. It’s simple and does the job. 
  • Sauce Late – If you’re using a sweet glaze or BBQ sauce, brush it on near the end to avoid burning. 
  • Dessert on the Grill – Try halved peaches or apples in foil with brown sugar and a splash of whisky. 

That’s not all though: Scotland’s national chef has also served up four delicious Scottish barbecue recipe ideas that are sure to impress: 

Scottish twists on barbecue classics 

Haggis-Stuffed Peppers 

Fill peppers with traditional or veggie haggis and grill until charred and smoky. 

Whisky-Glazed Venison Burgers

Swap beef for venison and brush with a whisky and honey glaze. Serve with pickled onions on a soft roll. 

Aberdeen Angus Brisket with Irn-Bru Glaze

Slow-cook brisket with a smoky rub, then glaze with reduced Irn-Bru for a sweet finish. 

Seaweed Butter Corn 

Grill corn and brush with butter mixed with dried seaweed or samphire. Salty, savoury, and very moreish. 

Dan McNally, Head of Grassroots at Mary’s Meals, says: “It costs just 10p to provide one school meal to a hungry child with Mary’s Meals.

“With a £5 donation at your next barbecue, we can reach 50 children with a nutritious meal. 

“If you purchase a cooking apron from our online shop ahead of hosting your own summer barbecue, your £15 donation will feed 150 children in school. With the sun out and with Gary’s top tips, there’s never been a better time to get grilling, all while supporting Mary’s Meals!” 

By making a donation to Mary’s Meals, supporters can help children like 11-year-old Melanie from Madagascar enjoy a nutritious meal at school today and work towards a brighter tomorrow. 

She says: “Thank you, Mary’s Meals. We are always full at school and that motivates us to work hard. I study because I want to achieve my goals and help my parents when I succeed.” 

To find out more about Mary’s Meals, and to donate, please visit marysmeals.org.uk 

During Mega Match May, your generosity will go three times as far – meaning you can feed even more hungry children with Mary’s Meals. Until 31 May, if you set up a regular gift to Mary’s Meals, your first three donations will be tripled by a generous donor. Visit marysmeals.org.uk/mega-match-may and start your monthly donation today. 

Barbecue Weekend Warning: Remember These Safety Checks

SMSTS Course’s Derek Hales reveals the BBQ mistakes that could ruin your weekend – and your health:

With sunshine making an appearance across the UK this weekend, thousands will be dusting off their barbecues – but construction safety expert Derek Hales from SMSTS Course is urging Brits to apply some of the same safety thinking used on building sites to their back gardens.

“We talk a lot about hazards in the workplace – but BBQs carry just as many risks when the right checks aren’t made,” says Hales. “And people often don’t realise it until they’re either ill or injured.”

The Most Overlooked BBQ Dangers – According to Safety Experts

Charcoal Poisoning Indoors or Undercover

It might be tempting to take the party indoors if the weather turns – but using a charcoal BBQ in a garage, tent, or under a gazebo can quickly lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s odourless, silent, and deadly.

Reusing Old BBQ Coals

Half-burnt coals from last year might save money, but they can release harmful chemicals and don’t reach the temperatures needed to cook meat safely.

Cross-Contamination From BBQ Utensils

Many people flip raw meat with tongs – then use the same ones for cooked food. That’s a fast track to food poisoning. Always separate utensils for raw and cooked meat.

Using Flammable Liquids Like Petrol or Paint Thinners

It happens more often than you think. Only use BBQ-safe firelighters. Industrial liquids can explode and release toxic fumes.

Not Letting the Grill Heat Properly

Undercooked chicken and sausages are a classic summer BBQ fail. It takes 10–15 minutes for most grills to reach safe cooking temperatures – rushing it increases the risk of campylobacter or salmonella.

Cleaning Grills With Wire Brushes

Tiny metal bristles from old grill brushes can break off and embed in burgers or hot dogs, causing serious internal injuries if swallowed. Use natural alternatives like onion halves or heat-proof scrapers.

Poor Gas Maintenance

For gas BBQ users, cracked hoses, loose regulators, or leaky connections can cause flare-ups or even explosions. A simple soapy water test can reveal leaks before you turn the gas on.

Hales adds: “Whether you’re in a garden, on a balcony, or in a park – take a few minutes to run through basic checks.

“The goal is to enjoy the sunshine, not end up in A&E.”

Discover Sailing at Granton Harbour

Discover Sailing: Royal Forth Yacht Club 5th May

On Sunday 5th May from 12 – 4pm at Granton harbour, the Royal Forth Yacht Club is hosting Discover Sailing: when yacht clubs such as the Royal Forth Yacht Club open up their clubhouse and harbour to the wider public for an experience of sailing.

RFYC members lend their boats, sailing expertise and time, and local organisations take a table to share their causes with the wider community too.

They are planning the usual variety of boats for people to try, organising the BBQ and hospitality.

They are grateful that the Community Action Team of the local Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be joining them this year, alongside their usual friends such as St Andrews First Aid, MCSUK, BDMLR, and Scottish Coastal Clean Up.

If you have any questions at all about Discover Sailing, please contact:

discoversailing@royalforth.org

Shirts, shorts and shades: Queen’s Manor BBQ

LOCAL CARE HOME HOSTS SUMMER BBQ

Staff, residents, relatives and the visitors came together at Queens Manor  to enjoy a BBQ that was held in the home’s grounds – with the theme of ‘shirts, shorts and shades’.

The hospitality team at Queens Manor served a selection of BBQ favourites including beef burgers, cajun chicken, halloumi & pepper kebabs, alongside all of the traditional favourites of coleslaw, beetroot, potato salad and sauces which were enjoyed by everyone who came to the event.

Staff and residents enjoyed getting dressed up for the occasion, with some wearing their ‘nicest’ and ‘worst’ holiday shirts, Swim shorts & diamonte shorts, colourful clothing and fun hats! With music playing, drinks flowing and plenty of laughter – it was a lovely day. 

Resident Caroline Taylor said, “I thoroughly enjoyed the day surrounded by lots of great people. Thankfully the sun showed up for the day and we managed to sit outside.

“Staff did a great job, not just on the day, but organising the event and getting everyone together.”

Shannon Cullen, Senior Head of Lifestyle and Enrichment at the home, said: “The team at Queens Manor are dedicated to making sure that the home full of activities and fun, 24/7.

“With a full lifestyle programme ranging from gardening, baking, quizzes and events like this, Queens manor is always a hive of activity.” 

Queens Manor care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. 

Queens Manor provides residential care, dementia care & respite care for 60 residents from respite care to long term stays.

Wardie Bay BBQ for local men

Fancy a BBQ? If you’re a man living in the local area (Muirhouse, Drylaw, Pilton, Granton, Royston and Wardieburn) why not join Jules next Tuesday (25th July) at Wardie Bay Beach. We’ll be meeting on the beach at 1pm.

This will be an informal event where you can meet new people, connect with nature and enjoy some food.

All local men welcome – Please let me know if you’re coming so we can confirm numbers.

To book a spot contact Jules:

e – julesryan@pchp.org.uk

m – 07517109319 (call/text/whatsapp

Hope to see you there!

#mentogether

#explore

#bbq

#summertime

#connect

#Giveback

The NEN North Edinburgh News

Granton Community Page

Granton Goes Greener

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Braeburn Home Summer Fair

SATURDAY 5th AUGUST 2 – 4pm

Come along to our home to see what a nursing home is really about!

We are keen to build better community links and welcome visitors to our home. At the summer fair we will have a variety of stalls including cakes, handmade jewellery, pictures and paintings, tombolas and hopefully face painting!

Kids more than welcome!

We are raising funds so we can do something really special with each resident: this could be going to the beach, painting, going out for a meal or whatever our amazing residents want to do!

We hope to see you at Braeburn Home, 35 Inverleith Terrace!

Care home hosts hoedown throwdown

Wild West comes to Cramond care home for themed afternoon fun

MUSIC-LOVING pensioners at an Edinburgh care home were treated to a hoedown themed afternoon to celebrate the end of summer with a performance from local musicians.

The dedicated lifestyle team at Cramond Residence strapped on their cowboy boots and organised a country western party which saw the home’s residents enjoying some themed dancing, snacks and music courtesy of local guitar players.  

A BBQ and some summer punch were on the menu for lunch, while activities included a conga and traditional line dancing.

Alison Newton, Operations Manager at the 74-bedroom home, said: “This was the first time we have hosted a hoedown and it will definitely not be the last! Everyone involved had an enjoyable afternoon and it was a real pleasure seeing so many happy faces.

“It was great to have local musicians playing some country classics from across the decades giving residents musical stimulation while helping them to reminisce and socialise with others.

“We have to say a massive thanks to the lifestyle team who have really pulled out all the stops with their planned activities and excursions to engage residents over the last few months.

“Residents loved taking part in some traditional country dancing and it was even great to see some attendees donning cowboy hats and plaid shirts.”

The residence creates an environment that ensures residents continue to live interesting and fulfilling lives, with their needs at the heart of all operations. Its tailored activity programme combines luxury hotel living with the reassuring feeling of being in your own home.

Alison continued: “After a turbulent few years, the team have really worked hard to come up with a jam-packed calendar of events to fully engage with residents and bring a sense of joy. To celebrate a great summer, it seemed only right to end August with a party.”

Cramond Residence offers high quality care for up to 74 residents offering a small-group living concept in nine houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from a highly-trained team.

Prices at the home start from £1,950 per week.

To find out more about Cramond Residence, visit: cramondresidence.co.uk/ or contact enquiries@cramondresidence.co.uk.

Enjoy a summer BBQ on a budget

Cash strapped Britons planning a holiday barbecue are being offered advice on how to keep the cost down.

The frugal experts at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have put together their tips for hosting a BBQ on a budget.

They suggest shopping around the staples like meat and bread rolls, and to plan ahead and try and bag some yellow sticker bargains.

Other advice includes asking guests to bring a dish with them, opening and cooking only what you need and freezing anything that isn’t used.

John Stirzaker from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Having a barbecue is a quintessential part of the UK summer but they’re not the cheapest events to host. Meat can be costly and it’s easy to get seduced and buy the best cuts and cook the lot.

“Instead shop around and see what offers you can find. Also think about asking your guests to bring a pudding, salad or even some of the meat with them. That way it’ll cut the cost burden on you and you can do the same when you’re invited to theirs.

“Remember too that whilst the food is a big part of a BBQ, it’s about getting together with family and friends and enjoying time together.”

Here are NetVoucherCodes.co.uk’s tips for hosting a BBQ on a budget:

  1. Snack starters

Crisps, nachos and dips are a great, cheap starter for guests. Opt for supermarket own brand and decant into bowls.

  1. Buy yellow sticker

Be smart when it comes to shopping for food for your BBQ. Check out the yellow sticker items in the supermarket and stock up on burgers, sausages and any other meaty treats. If they’re close to their sell by date, freeze. Make sure you thoroughly defrost before barbecuing.

  1. Bring a dish

If you’re inviting friends or family around, encourage everyone to bring a dish. Someone could provide the meat, another salad and a third could top up with desserts. That way the cost isn’t all down to one person.

  1. Make your own marinade

Rather than shelling out on expensive marinades, try making your own. Marinades are made with a main ingredient like yoghurt, lemon juice, wine or vinegar, mixed with oil and selected spices. Why not experiment with whatever you have in the cupboard?

  1. Shop around for your meat

Check out your local butcher as well as supermarkets for meat. At this time of year, they may have some good value BBQ offers on.

  1. Use a pack at a time

Don’t put everything on your BBQ at once or open every packet of rolls. Stagger it and only cook and open what you need.

  1. Add some veggies

Vegetables cook well on the BBQ too and are a lot cheaper than meat. Try corn on the cob and jacket potatoes. They’re great fillers to counter all that meat!

  1. Cheap bread

There’s no need to shell out on cheap bread rolls for your BBQ. Check what your supermarket has on offer. It often works out cheaper to buy in bulk so whatever’s left, freeze.

  1. Avoid paper plates

Don’t be tempted to buy throw away plates to make clearing up easier. It’s bad for the environment and your pocket. Just save the clearing up until the next morning.

https://www.netvouchercodes.co.uk/

Could your Bank Holiday BBQ make you ill?

As millions plan their jubilee parties, research reveals the average Briton has not cleaned their grill in 8 months

A new study has revealed as many as six in ten of us are planning to have friends and family over for a BBQ this Bank Holiday weekend – yet many are unaware that guests could end up with food poisoning, due to poor hygiene and dirty equipment.

38 per cent of Brits admit the grill on their BBQ is dirty, with almost a fifth (19 per cent) describing it as absolutely filthy – yet one in ten (11 per cent) have no plans to clean it before they use it next.

In fact on average, it’s been eight months since Brits took the grill off the BBQ and gave it a good clean, despite Britons cleaning their indoor oven every six and a half weeks on average.

16 per cent of the 1,500 Britons polled admit they’ve left the BBQ dirty over winter and then instead of cleaning it as recommended, have simply wiped at the mould or leftover burnt bits before starting to cook. 

One in ten (12 per cent) admit the cleanliness of their BBQ equipment hasn’t been given a second thought, despite the Food Standard Agency advising that warm weather and outdoor cooking create the perfect storm for food poisoning.

GP and TV doctor, Dr Sarah Jarvis, comments: “When the sun is shining there’s nothing better than firing up the BBQ with family and friends, but food poisoning can easily become an unwelcome guest.

“Leaving grills unwashed could lead to harmful bacteria such as campylobacter, salmonella, listeria and some types of E. coli to form so it’s imperative to make sure that you clean down your BBQ each time you use it.

“Even if you’ve used your grill recently, it’s good hygiene practice to clean and dry your grill regularly before every time you use it. We all know that barbecued food can be a source of food poisoning – that’s why it’s so important to store it in the fridge until just before cooking, keep raw meat away from other foods and consider cooking pork and chicken in the oven first, to ensure they’re cooked right through. But if you’ve cleaned your hands and then put the food onto a dirty barbecue, you can completely defeat the object.”

When it comes to the reasons why people put off cleaning the grill on their BBQ, 34 per cent admit it takes so long, while 34 per cent say it’s a total nightmare cleaning between all the bars. 

31 per cent claim it’s the messiest household task, while 27 per cent hate it so much that they describe it as the worst job ever. Almost a fifth polled confessed to having thrown a BBQ away and buying a new one instead of cleaning it. 

The research by Kärcher further reveals that a third of the nation admits they have no idea what the temperature of their BBQ should be before they begin cooking – despite a high temperature being essential for killing off bacteria. One in ten admit they’ve often undercooked sausages and burgers, while eight per cent are guilty of undercooking chicken.

And food hygiene standards drop even lower when it comes to preparing a typical British BBQ, with over a quarter (26 per cent) confessing to leaving food that needs to be kept cool – like butter, mayo and cheese, to bake in the sun all afternoon.

14 per cent don’t wash their hands after putting raw meat on the grill and cook their veggie and vegan dishes in the same spot they used for meat products. More than one in ten (12 per cent) have kept tongs or accessories stored on the BBQ without ever washing them.

So it’s no surprise that almost a fifth of Britons (18 per cent) have been unlucky and suffered from food poisoning at a BBQ – whether at a friend or family’s house or at their own. One in two Brits (51 per cent) think many people are completely unaware of the potential health dangers of not BBQing safely. 

However, 80 per cent say they would be racked with guilt if they made one of their guests ill – although 15 per cent claim that “these things happen”.

Harry Turner, Product Manager at Kärcher who commissioned the poll, said: “We know that cleaning the BBQ is never anyone’s favourite task however, we were surprised that so many Brits were unaware of the health dangers that can come from leaving their grills grimy.

“We wanted to put together this handy guide to help the nation clean their BBQs as quickly as possible so they can get on with enjoying the bank holiday weekend.” 

The research also reveals that over a quarter of couples (27 per cent) fall out over the BBQ, with nine per cent admitting to bickering about it all the time. One third admit these rows are about who should be manning the BBQ, while 31 per cent clash around how much time they are taking to cook.

Three in ten fall out over who should clean the grill once guests have left, while 29 per cent can’t resist having a dig at their other half about how much of a mess they’re making.

To help the nation make light work of cleaning their BBQ and avoid potential health hazards over the Platinum Jubilee Weekend, Harry and Dr Sarah Jarvis have put together their top tips to make light work of cleaning the BBQ:

  1. Up the pressure – Once you’ve emptied the leftover charcoal ash from your BBQ, use a pressure washer to spray it down using sweeping motions. When using a Kärcher pressure washer choose the vario lance and set it to a medium – this should remove any ash and sticky substances leftover at the bottom. Set your grills up against a flat surface, like a sturdy wally and turn the pressure up to hard to dislodge any stubborn sticky leftovers. Give the BBQ a final rinse down, working from top to bottom ensuring water doesn’t get trapped, to get the best results. Sarah says, “this is such a fast way of effectively cleaning a BBQ, you can get it done in under ten minutes and leave it to dry in the sunshine.”
  1. Get steamy – For an intense deep clean use a steam cleaner on the grill, such as Kärcher’s SC 2 Easyfix – this also has the added benefit of getting rid of any bacteria. Sarah says: “Steam cleaners are such a versatile piece of equipment to keep around the house. They make light work of grease, and dirt, delivering deep cleaning results with no chemicals or scrubbing. They also penetrate into nooks and crannies in barbecues that cloths and brushes won’t reach. Kärcher’s steam cleaners are independently tested and proven to kill 99.99% of bacteria, making them perfect for cleaning both inside and outside the home.”
  1. Grease up – Use sunflower oil every time you cook to prevent burnt food from getting stuck on the BBQ. Once finished cooking and rub vegetable oil on the grills to prevent them from going rusty. Sarah says: “This is one of my tried and trusted hacks, and it works every time.”
  1. Try a household remedy – Don’t let leftover beer from Jubilee celebrations go to waste, pour it onto the grill while it’s still warm and tackle with a wire brush for sparkling results. If you don’t have stainless steel cleaner, try using white vinegar. Use a left-over spray bottle and fill it with half white vinegar, and half water. Spray it all over the grill, wait 5 minutes, then wipe it off with a clean, dry cloth. This also works well to get the outside of your BBQ shining.  
  1. Don’t forget to cover up – Now that you’ve got your BBQ looking spotless keep it covered throughout the summer to reduce cleaning time before each use. 
  1. Kärcher pressure washers are currently available with up to £100 off and customers can claim up to an additional £50 cashback on selected models. 

For more information visit: https://www.kaercher.com/uk/home-garden/how-to-guides/pressure-washers/bbqs.html

Bank up some heart health this Bank Holiday

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

With the August bank holiday coming up tomorrow, what will you do with your extra day off? Why not follow our tips to bank some heart health and still have a good time.

Hearty BBQ

If the sun is shining this bank holiday weekend, it could be the perfect time to fire up the BBQ and try some healthy alternatives to traditional burgers and sausages. Tuna steaks can be sliced and flavoured with lime, ginger and coriander for a healthy zesty burger alternative. Why not roast some veggies on the BBQ, such as corn on the cob or vegetable skewers.

Raise your game

Games like basketball and swing ball can be a fun way of entertaining the kids or catching up with friends in the garden or park. Don’t let the threat of rain stop the fun, there are plenty of indoor activities, such as trampolining, indoor skating and swimming.

Take to the streets

With carnivals, markets and food events back on the calendar, make sure you know how to spot some heart healthy street food. Simple swaps can go a long way towards a healthier heart and still tingle the taste buds; try out some delicious vegetarian options for a meat free alternative that’s packed with goodness; go for a side of corn on the cob or baked sweet potato wedges instead of fries.

Laugh and dance

For a healthy heart it’s important to keep the oxygen and blood flowing.  What better way to do this than to have a good laugh and a boogie with your family and friends.

However you choose to spend your extra day, try to make your bank holiday count towards a healthier, happier and longer life with those you love.