QUALITY BRITISH TURKEY LAUNCHES CALL CENTRE
Who should consumers turn to when it’s Christmas Eve and the turkey they’ve just lugged home from the shops won’t fit in the oven? Or the recipe says “stuff the neck end” – and you just can’t tell which end is which?
They can now call the turkey hotline.
We are told hundreds of people ring this freephone SOS number in the lead-up to the Big Day. They are reassured by the fact it is manned by real live people, not machines, right up until 5pm on Christmas Eve. But as the countdown to Christmas gets closer, the callers get more desperate…
“How can I make the turkey cook quicker this year to stop everyone getting drunk before dinner?…Can I cook it from frozen?…Can I part-cook it then finish it off when I get to my mother-in-laws?…Will my 25lb turkey thaw before tomorrow morning? (The answer to that one is no – blag an invitation to a friend’s for lunch because a bird that size will take a couple of days to defrost).
One thing callers don’t have to worry about is embarrassment – the turkey hotline has heard it all before!
Call 0800 783 9994 and try it out – it’s good to talk!”
Here are some of the questions and answers from Christmases past…
Q: Can I half cook my turkey, then finish it off when I get to my mother-in-law’s house?
A: Not unless you want a divorce…. Invite her to yours or cook the turkey in her kitchen – you’ll be spared the post Christmas clean-up as well.
Q: I want to cook my turkey at home and then drive to London to eat it at my daughter’s. What’s the best way to keep it warm? Hotline: How far from London do you live? Caller – about 4 hours’ drive.
A: Have you considered a nice turkey salad?
Q: Help – my turkey’s too big for the oven. What shall I do?
A: Cut the legs off and cook them separately. (If you are feeling fancy, try boning them, stuff with sausage meat, wrap in bacon then foil and roast in a medium oven).
Q: Why can’t I have boiled turkey eggs for breakfast on Christmas morning?
A: Turkey eggs are not available on a commercial scale. There’s little demand and they are expensive to produce as turkey hens lay only 4-5 eggs over 24 weeks. You may find them being sold at farm gates.
Q: (Harrassed guy phoning at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve): What time should I get my 25lb turkey out of the freezer?
A: (Putting on a very cheerful voice): Why don’t you go to friends for Christmas Day lunch and invite them back to yours for turkey and all the trimmings on Boxing Day.
Q: Can you tell me how to cook my Christmas chicken.
A: No!
Related posts:
- NO 10 SUPPORTS BRITISH TURKEY
- UK’S NATIONAL FARMERS UNION (NFU) ANNOUNCES CENTRAL TURKEY WEBSITE ADVICE
- BRITISH TURKEY INDUSTRY SEARCHES FOR TOP CONSUMER RECIPE
- Britons opt for smaller turkeys
- TURKEY DAY 10TH NOVEMBER – PUT IT IN THE DIARY
- JAMIE’S ITALIAN UNVEILS CHRISTMAS MENU
- RISING WHEAT COSTS INCREASE TURKEY PRICES
- CHRISTMAS TURKEYS CAN BE SEEN ON WEB CAM
