MasterChef backs drive to cut out wasted meals

MasterChef winner Gary Maclean has teamed up with Zero Waste Scotland to try to cut the 60 million meals wasted in December.

Mr Maclean has created a festive checklist designed to help minimise food waste and time spent in the kitchen.

It is estimated 3.5 million mince pies, more than 240,000 Christmas puddings and more than 100,000 turkeys will be wasted over the festive season.

Zero Waste Scotland said that if saved from the dustbin, this could feed the entire population of Scotland from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day and represents a potential collective saving of more than £90 million to Scottish households.

Mr Maclean’s waste-saving tips include cooking turkey upside down to prevent it from drying out, serving Christmas lunch “buffet-style” to enable guests to choose their preferred portion size and using up leftovers in tasty, easy-to-make party recipes like turkey spring rolls.

He said: “I encourage Scots to give the checklist a go to save time and money, and ultimately get the most out of their Christmas Day.”

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham urged people to think carefully to help tackle food waste.

She said: “It will no doubt provide Scots with food for thought that some 60 million meals are wasted in December every year.

“That’s why the Scottish Government has set an ambitious target to cut food waste by 33% by 2025.”

MasterChef winner Gary Maclean.