Image: Vauxhall

Forget the craze for engines run on vegetable oil - rising culinary star, British cook and food writer Thomasina Miers has concerns about the nation’s tummies running on saturated fats: “It’s far too easy to neglect our dietary needs on journey pit-stops and opt for the quick fix of chocolate bars and sugary drinks for your own fuel. There are far healthier ways to keep your personal engine running that are as straight forward to prepare as it is to select CDs for the journey!”

Thomasina, winner of BBC TV’s MasterChef and consultant to car company Vauxhall, adds, “Everyone knows about healthy eating at other times of the day but seem to throw away the rule book when on the go. I’m suggesting a range of snacks that are simple to put together and full of slow burning energy. They are all designed to keep up energy levels and keep frayed nerves and hunger pangs at bay – for drivers and passengers. The Food on the Move recipes are a great alternative to unhealthy snack options like fatty sandwiches, crisps and sweets.”

Vauxhall and Thomasina decided to turn their attention to journey pit-stops after their research found that British drivers were disappointed with food on offer in service stations with 80% saying it was unhealthy and 70% believing it was also poor quality.

Consultant to Vauxhall as part of their VX Collective, Thomasina is helping the company look at contemporary motoring life from different perspectives. Thomasina has devised a number of recipes to give motorists plenty of ideas for tasty treats to revive them during journey breaks. The Vauxhall ‘Food on the Move!’ recipes include Chocolate Baguettes, ham sarnies with a twist and tasty nutty snacks.

Thomasina, a rising culinary star, first came to light as the winner of BBC TV’s Master Chef in 2005, and joined British car company Vauxhall’s VX Collective in 2006. She now has a new TV series in the pipeline and is opening her first restaurant later this year. Thomasina adds: “It’s inspiring to work alongside the other VX Collective members, and to be given the opportunity to explore areas that you think about but would otherwise never have the chance to do something on, such as food on the go.”

Simon Ewart of Vauxhall adds, “Fueling your mind and body while on a long road trip is just as important as fueling your car but many of us grab unhealthy snacks on the road or skip meals without thinking. Thomasina’s suggestions show that good food on the move can be simple and delicious.”