Yesterday afternoon I settled down to watch a bit of telly. During the break of a film, an advert appeared of a young man getting ready for a Valentines meal. Everything was sorted, now for the food. And this was when I got angry. Jean Christophe Novelli, a respected chef, advocating and putting his name to ready meals!

What?!

After all the hard work that chefs like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Jamie Oliver have put in to encourage the public to enjoy making their own food (from scratch!) Novelli has now come along to practically undo all their hard work! I don't care how fresh the ingredients were when he (or his little row of factory workers) put these meals together, the point is that there is nothing fresher than fresh food.

How can we expect the public to take on the wonderful advice of Jamie and Hugh, when chefs are putting their names to frozen, bung in the microwave/oven, ready meals?

Please someone tell me they agree!

Hi Sophs,

I agree with you. But, one main supermarket admitted that it sold £2m worth or 'ready meals' last year.

One of my family admitted to using them as she gets in from work early evening from an 11hr day and just can't face cooking. I am getting her onto a vac pac machine so she can make her own.

Trouble is, there are many in this world who have no desire to cook and it is they who give JCN and others the revenue opportunity.

Final point, I recently cooked for a charity shoot and was offered 100 beef burgers. Frozen last year and not UK sourced. Why? Cheap!!!

Sorry

David

Hi Sophs, I also agree with you.The ready meal business would go bust if it waited for me to buy its meals.But a lot of people do. I find them to be to expensive over packaged and not enough in them.They do have a place in a busy life style but only now and a again,Its just as easy to make large batches and freeze them.As for Jean Christophe hes now a business as well as a chef. I will be looking to buy a vac pac myself.

I am going to reserve my view until I see the ingredients list. I believe they are frozen, which for me is a good sign as I don't see why you need to put preservatives in a frozen product.

I do not eat ready meals myself as they are just a big disappointment, but I will take a look at them as I admire JC. Will report back

Dashed through Sainsbury's an hour ago and had a look in the freezer section but didn't see them. Anyone know where they are ?

Morrissons had/have them on the shelves. I haven't tried them nor looked at the ingredients so can't comment any further.

Thanks Terry, next time I pass Morrissons I will pop in and have a look