Gregg Wallace details benefits of 'tinned and frozen' vegetables

‘They aren’t inferior!’ MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace details benefits of ‘tinned and frozen’ vegetables amid shortage crisis after receiving an MBE for services to food and charity

Gregg Wallace has spoken out in support of preserved vegetables as supermarkets struggle to stock their selves with fresh produce due to chronic shortages.

The MasterChef star, 58, insisted that ‘tinned and frozen’ vegetables ‘aren’t inferior to their fresh counterparts as he admitted he has been ‘re-looking’ at them.

Gregg weighed in on the crisis after poor weather conditions in Morocco and Spain have hit trading routes hard, resulting in supermarket shelves being left empty and Aldi, Morrisons, Tesco and Asda introducing limits on purchases of certain veg.

After accepting his MBE at Windsor Castle on Monday, Gregg said of the shortages: ‘It’s got me re-looking at preserved vegetables – tinned, frozen. 

‘They are not an inferior item. There is nothing healthier and more filling than vegetables. It’s good for you, it’s got no fat in it.’

Big supporter: Gregg Wallace has spoken out in support of preserved vegetables as supermarkets struggle to stock their selves with fresh produce due to chronic shortages 

He added that if people can cook pasta, couscous and rice with vegetables then a ‘whole world of calories possibilities across five continents has just opened up to you.’

It comes as ministers hold crisis talks with supermarket bosses over the UK’s chronic vegetable shortage.

Food minister Mark Spencer hosted the executives as they sought to find a way to get shelves stocked again, amid fears rationing could last several more weeks.

The items seeing the most shortages are cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, lettuces and other everyday greens. And even home-grown turnips are in low supply after Environment Secretary Therese Coffey suggested them as a suitable alternative.

The shortages have seen shoppers flock to their local greengrocers and market stalls, who have remained fully stocked. However the spiralling wholesale costs mean they are either making very little profit – if any at all – or passing the increases on to the customers, who in turn are buying far fewer produce.

Gregg received his MBE for services to food and charity from the Princess Royal and attended the ceremony with his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini.

Broadcaster Gregg, who fronts the popular cooking show and its spin-offs alongside John Torode, has been recognised for his work with food over the past 53 years and his contributions to charity.

The Member of the Order of the British Empire is the third highest ranking, with OBE second and CBE first.

Big day: Gregg received his MBE for services to food and charity from the Princess Royal and attended the ceremony with his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini

Proud moment: Gregg,has been recognised for his work with food over the past 53 years and his contributions to charity

It is awarded to those who have done an outstanding achievement or service to the community and made a positive impact in their field.

Born in Peckham in south-east London, Gregg began his career in the Covent Garden fruit and vegetable market aged 15 after leaving school early.

He started George Allan’s Greengrocers in 1989 and has gone on to have a successful broadcasting career, presenting many shows including Veg Talk on BBC Radio 4, Saturday Kitchen, Eat Well For Less, Inside The Factory, Turn Back Time, Harvest and Supermarket Secrets.

Gregg also took to his Instagram to post his suited-and-booted look before heading to Windsor to collect his MBE. 

Career: At the ceremony, the MasterChef star, 58, insisted that ‘tinned and frozen’ vegetables ‘aren’t inferior to their fresh counterparts as he admitted he has been ‘re-looking’ at them

Martyn Butler, who helped set up the Terrence Higgins Trust after his friend Terry died from an Aids-related illness in 1982, is to receive an OBE for services to charity and to public health.

The trust founders hoped by naming the trust – which focused on raising funds for research and awareness of the illness – after Terry, that it would personalise and humanise Aids in a very public way.

Former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale, the Conservative MP for Maldon, is to receive his knighthood for political and public service.

Former Wigan loose forward Sean O’Loughlin is to collect an OBE for services to rugby league.

After a 19-year career with his hometown club, he went on to become the assistant coach for the first team.

He played 459 games and won 10 major honours with Wigan. The one-club man and captain hung up his boots at the end of his 19th season as a rugby league professional in 2020.

Award: After accepting his MBE at Windsor Castle on Monday, Gregg said of the shortages: ‘It’s got me re-looking at preserved vegetables – tinned, frozen

Hard work: Gregg’s hard work has been recognised and was proud to pick up his MBE from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle on Tuesday afternoon

Picture time: The broadcaster looked smart in his Windsor Castle get-up as he wore a pair of black pinstriped trousers for the occasion

Natalie Queiroz, of Birmingham – who educates young people about knife crime after surviving a near fatal stabbing by an ex-boyfriend when she was heavily pregnant, is also collecting her MBE.

Last week, Gregg’s partner in crime John Torode was among the high-profile names receiving honours during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

On Thursdayhe celebrity chef, 57, was made an MBE for his services to food and  tcharity after a career which has seen him largely known for his role as a judge on MasterChef.

John attended the ceremony with his wife, actress-turned-TV cook Lisa Faulkner, 50, who he was later pictured celebrating the occasion with.

John has written several cookbooks and appeared on ITV’s This Morning in the late 1990s before taking over as a judge on the BBC cooking show in 2005 alongside Gregg Wallace.

John is also is a restaurateur and former owner of eatery, The Luxe. He has written a number of cookbooks, including some with fellow judge Gregg.

John looked suave as he dressed up for the occasion in a navy blue morning suit and tails.

The chef beamed after picking up his award at the palace.

Big honour: John Torode was among the high-profile names who received honours during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace last Thursday

Good spirits: The celebrity chef, 57, was made an MBE for his services to food and charity after a career which has seen him largely known for his role as a judge on MasterChef

John and Lisa share five children between them: Lisa’s adopted daughter Billie, 16, and John’s grown-up sons Casper and Marselle, and teenagers, Jonah, 18, and Lulu, 16.

The pair recently celebrated their third wedding anniversary, after first meeting when he judged her food on BBC‘s Celebrity MasterChef. 

Lisa took to Instagram to celebrate the milestone with a gushing tribute to her husband.   

The actress also offered her 322K followers a look at the big day with a candid throwback snap of the couple as they enjoyed a kiss afte

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