Men are running the barbecue this season, but study shows women doubt their skills

76 per cent of men are primary grillers in the household but only 39 per cent of women think their partner is skilled at grilling

TORONTO, June 6, 2016 /CNW/ - When warm weather hits, Canadians can't wait to heat up their barbecues. According to a new survey commissioned by M&M Food Market and conducted on the Angus Reid Forum, an overwhelming amount of Canadians - as many as 95 per cent -  barbecue during the summer.  Of those surveyed, 76 per cent listed men as the primary grillers in their household. Yet only 39 per cent of women rate their partner's grilling skills highly. Even more interesting is that as little as 23 per cent of grillers would rate their own skills highly despite their passion for grilling and how often they'll be firing up their barbecues this season.

"Since most Canadians think their own or their partner's grilling skills are below average, it's obvious that there are a lot of consumers that want to improve their grilling prowess," says Andy O'Brien, CEO, M&M Food Market. "At M&M Food Market, our summer goal is to help Canadians figure out BBQ and make the most of the season. Our expert in-store meal advisors and delicious new products mean that we have grilling inspiration for everyone, as well as the meal planning advice and grilling tips that consumers are looking for."

M&M Food Market's study on barbecuing habits revealed insights about Canadian grilling techniques and habits nationally:

• More than one third (34 per cent) of men rate themselves as proficient or expert grillers; in comparison, just 13 per cent of women express the same confidence
• Nearly half (43 per cent) of Canadians barbecue three or more times a week during summer months
• Millennials are still learning to master the grill – almost half (44 per cent) rate their grilling skills as novice or beginner.
• Unsurprisingly, steak (58 per cent), hamburgers (55 per cent), chicken (42 per cent) and sausages or hot dogs (35 per cent) are the top items Canadians prefer to grill in summer

As well, there are some interesting regional differences across the country:

• Atlantic Canadians barbecue the most in summer (85 per cent grill once a week or more)
• Albertans prefer to grill steak more than any other province (63 per cent)
• Manitobans and Quebecers rank hamburgers as their favourite thing to grill, more than any other province (65 per cent and 63 per cent respectively)

"Whatever your grilling ability or habits, our huge selection of expertly frozen, ready-to-grill products make it simple and super convenient." says O'Brien. "Keep your freezer stocked with our steakhouse quality steaks, burgers, kabobs and skewers, seafood, appetizers and side dishes and you'll always have a special summer meal that's ready for the grill – whether it's for an everyday weeknight meal or a big backyard party."

M&M Food Market also offers help for those looking for inspiration or insights on how to grill favourite items, try out new ones or improve barbecue skills. M&M's website, mmfoodmarket.com, provides an online Guide to Great Steak with information on the different cuts, tips on how to prepare the perfect steak as well as different ways to enjoy steak for a new flavour each time. Additionally, in-store meal advisors can help customers create inspiring meal ideas and entertaining menus, and introduce Canadians to new products like Fall Off the Bone® Honey Garlic Ribs and Chocolate Lava Ice Cream Cake.

This spring, M&M Food Market also launched an overall brand reinvention and brand promise to Help Customers Make Real Food for Real Life. Part of the brand concept includes a reinvented in-store experience that makes shopping convenient and meals simple to discover.  Even more recently, M&M launched its Real Food for Real Life campaign, with a promise to only offer products with no artificial colours, artificial flavours, artificial sweeteners or partially hydrogenated oils (added trans fats) across its full product lineup by the end of 2017.

About M&M Food Market
Founded in 1980, M&M Food Market is Canada's leading retailer of fine frozen foods. It is headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, with locations in all ten provinces, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. M&M Food Market has been recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for 10 years in a row. M&M Food Market products include delicious and convenient options across virtually every food category including:  appetizers, seafood, meats and poultry, prepared meals, fruits and vegetables, sides, bakery and desserts and come in formats ranging from individual portions to family-sized options.

Survey Methodology
The survey, which ran May 25-26, 2016, was conducted on the Angus Reid Forum, with 1,505 randomly selected Canadian adults. The margin of error, which measures sampling variability, is +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to education, age, gender and region (and in Quebec, language) Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of Canada. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

SOURCE M&M Food Market

Image with caption: "M&M Food Market's expanded product lineup and in-store meal advisors can help every griller, from the novice to the skilled. Products like these Bacon Wrapped Beef Top Sirloin Steaks are simple and perfect for the barbecue. (CNW Group/M&M Food Market)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160606_C8672_PHOTO_EN_705906.jpg

Rachel Lehman, The Colony Project on behalf of M&M Food Market, T: [phone], E: [email protected]