P-P-PICK UP A PICNIC!
Britain’s set for a heatwave weekend. But thanks to the trend for ready-packed picnics, you’ll never have to waste hours buttering sarnies again...
FINALLY, summer is here and with a heatwave just around the corner it’s time once again for a whirl of seasonal social events, from racing at Ascot and Henley Regatta to family picnics and days at the seaside. Once, many of these occasions would have called for the same simple, slightly disappointing meal of a soggy sandwich and a slurp of tepid tea from a flask. This year, however, shops are groaning with more sophisticated picnic fare than ever — and they don’t even expect you to pack it up yourself. Instead, supermarkets, restaurant chains and gourmet retailers are falling over themselves to provide the best and most unusual ready-made hampers to be delivered to your door.
From freshly baked focaccia to complex fish dishes and child-friendly meals, this is set to be the summer of the really posh picnic. I investigated a selection of the best with the help of my children, Rosie, six, and Felix, four . . .
FOR KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES
The Expeditions Hamper, serves the whole family, £1,000, fortnumandmason.com WHAT IS IT? An ‘adventure-ready wicker, perfectly appointed with everything one will need for a memorable al fresco feast’, according to the blurb.
Unsurprisingly, there’s not a ham sandwich in sight. Among the 29 treats are foie gras, a venison terrine, a magnum of vintage champagne and a set of cheese knives with which to serve the Cheddar and Stilton. No paper plates or napkins, though.
PROS: You’ll be the envy of the park. Children will love the cheeses, while the grown-up goodies are excellent quality.
CONS: You might need to take out a second mortgage to afford it.
DELIVERY: Next day, £9.95.
FOR A SOPHISTICATED SUPPER AT THE SEASIDE
The Fisherman’s Supper Box, serves four to six, £63.95, yumbles.com
WHAT IS IT? Forget a dodgy pasty and melting ice cream. Dine in style on the shore with this impressive array of fish, including oak-smoked salmon from the Shetland Islands, Cornish trout and mackerel fillets, wheat wafers, beetroot chutney and gherkins.
Accompanied by a Cornish Brie and a bottle of Chardonnay, it comes in a sealed wallet with ice packs. No word on how to stop sand getting into your food once opened, however. PROS: Nothing says summer luxury quite like smoked salmon and a glass of crisp white wine. CONS: The hamper is low on carbs — you might need to add a loaf of bread to fill you up. DELIVERY: Free next-day delivery across the UK.
FOR A TASTE OF SCANDI CULTURE
Swedish Midsummer Taster, serves one to two, £23.99, scandikitchen.co.uk
WHAT IS IT? Scandinavian culture could not be cooler right now, and this is a perfect way to dip your toe in the water — a selection of classic Swedish dishes, traditionally eaten at the country’s annual Midsummer festival, delivered to your door.
Delicacies include herring in dill, meatballs and beetroot salad, accompanied by brown baked crispbread and washed down with two 50ml bottles of Scandinavian liqueur aquavit, which is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
PROS: This high-brow offering will spark envy from every adult picnic-goer. Take it to the opera at Glyndebourne and feel smug at the jealous stares.
CONS: Picky children might turn their noses up — mine certainly aren’t impressed by the idea — and there’s no cutlery. Drink the aquavit at your peril.
DELIVERY: Costs £6.50.
FOR SIMPLE SANDWICHES ON A SHOESTRING
Picnic For Two, £20, paul-uk.com WHAT IS IT? A made- to- order, nononsense picnic with a French feel from cafe chain Paul.
The contents are customisable and include vegetarian and vegan options — choose your own sandwich fillings or a salad or quiche, plus a soft drink, crisps, a slice of tart or an incredibly delicious large macaron.
You’re not limited to only egg and cress, either. I opt for a beetroot-- studded baguette with grilled peppers, onion, spinach and a flavoursome sweet carrot tapenade. PROS: Simple and easy, with quality food and a touch of class. It even comes in a reusable cool bag with a disposable chequered paper tablecloth. CONS: None — casual picnic perfection. DELIVERY: Next-day delivery costs from £5, depending on your postcode.
FOR TRADITIONAL BRITISH TREATS
THE British Artisan Hamper, serves four to six, £135, formanandfield.com WHAT IS IT? A selection of 15 popular products from gourmet food company Forman & Field, presented in a smart wicker hamper.
Melton Mowbray pork pies, potted lobster and air-dried ham will make it a hit with fish and meat lovers alike, while the lemon and pistachio cake and chocolate supply kept my kids happy. PROS: The clear winner for variety — and the dessert had Rosie and Felix jumping for joy. CONS: No cutlery, and low on fresh food. DELIVERY: Next day if you order before 10am, £9.95.
FOR A THREE-COURSE MEAL ON THE GO
CARLUCCIO’S Classic, serves two, £45, carluccios.com WHAT IS IT? A proper meal, rather than a selection of little bites. This hefty picnic
contains a tongue- twister of Italian ingredients, kicking off with antipasti that include ventricina and finocchiona salami, poponcini peppers, olives, caper berries, artichokes and rocket.
The main course is a poached chicken supreme with a lemon, herb and mustard crumb, couscous and salad, plus an array of bruschetta and focaccia — and a pasta salad my son devoured with barely a pause to breathe. An apricot and frangipane tart and hazelnut and chocolate biscotti follow.
It comes with paper plates and plastic cutlery in a canvas cool bag. The restaurant will provide a wine pairing, too, if you like. PROS: Quick to get hold of — you can pick it up from any branch of Carluccio’s four hours after ordering — and there’s a huge amount here for two, it would feed my whole family easily. CONS: Don’t count on it after a brisk country walk. The frangipane tart is too delicate to lug around. DELIVERY: Order online and collect from your nearest Carluccio’s, or courier Deliveroo will get it to your door for £2.50.
FOR TRICKY, PICKY LITTLE PEOPLE
Children’s Picnic, serves one, £10, carluccios.com WHAT IS IT? A picnic just for youngsters. It includes half a chicken escalope, which Rosie loved, a pot of crudites, pasta, breadsticks, Italian cheese, a bearshaped brownie and a choice of orange or apple juice. Comes with a paper plate and plastic cutlery. PROS: Will appeal to the pickiest of junior eaters — so mum and dad can tuck into some fancier fare. CONS: Served in a plastic bag, and it’s not cheap, either. DELIVERY: Order from Carluccio’s at least four hours in advance.
FOR AN ALL-INCLUSIVE AL-FRESCO FEAST
Picnic Hamper For Two, £60.95, lewisandcooper.co.uk WHAT IS IT? An entire meal, and all you need to eat it, in a shoulder bag. This has everything from pate to cold meats, crisps and quiche, plus white wine and water. PROS: A one- stop shop, with no risk you’ll be without a corkscrew or have to eat with your hands because someone forgot forks. CONS: A mayo-laden potato salad is as healthy as it gets. Good for a day at the races when you need strength to cheer on your horse. DELIVERY: Included in the price. Tucking in: Antonia, Rosie and Felix
FOR THE LOVER TRYING TO IMPRESS
Champagne Afternoon Tea Picnic, serves two, £85, littlepicniccompany.co.uk
WHAT IS IT? Perfect for a romantic afternoon of not-really-watching the polo, this contains treats you might find in a fancy restaurant, including salmon and crayfish finger sandwiches, roast beef and mustard mini bagels and parmesan, fennel and chilli straws.
Two bottles of water and one of La Chapelle Instinct Premier Cru Brut Champagne are provided and dessert is strawberries, cream and scones.
It is delivered in a disposable box or, for an additional £40, you can have it in a wicker hamper with linen napkins, cutlery and a blanket — all terribly Brideshead.
PROS: A surefire way to seduce your other half. The bite- size nibbles are good for kids, too, though you may prefer to leave them at home . . .
CONS: Some might say it’s more style than substance, better for a snack than a hearty meal — which makes it a pricy treat.
DELIVERY: Orders must be placed two days in advance. Contact company for nationwide costs.
FOR GOURMET GLUTEN-FREE GRUB
Gluten-Free Picnic Menu, serves as many as you like, £12 per person plus VAT, newmarkethampers.co.uk
WHAT IS IT? A good option if you have one or two guests who have sworn off gluten, as it’s tasty enough for everyone to enjoy.
There’s a choice of gluten-free wrap (ham, cheese, chicken, egg, or falafel and hummus), plus a green salad with butternut squash and walnuts, crisps, vegetable crudites, quiche, gourmet marshmallows and a chocolate pot. PROS: It’s healthy, fairly affordable and easily scaled up to match your number of guests. CONS: There is a minimum order of £100, so this will work only for a large party. DELIVERY: Order five days in advance. Delivery cost is on quotation, although £1 for every mile from the company’s Cambridgeshire base is typical.