This, then, is what to rustle up and pack if you’re headed to one of the great British summer set pieces – by which, of course, we mean Glyndebourne, Henley, Wimbledon et al – or even if you’re simply bombing down to the coast for a day on the beach.
Radish Sandwiches With Anchovy & Herb Butter
What, we hear you say, is a picnic without sandwiches? We quite agree. But we’d counter: how about adding some va-va-voom to yours via this chic (and crucially easy) anchovy butter topped with palate-cleansing slices of very fine radish. Salty, peppery and deeply moreish, they are exactly the sort of thing one ought to eat beneath a striped parasol. Simple and sublime.
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Tomato Tarts
BBC Good Food
There are few picnic dishes more cheering than a tomato tart eaten when slightly warm from the sun. This version, with sweet roasted garlic and tangy goat’s cheese, feels suitably elegant yet is reassuringly unfussy to make. Pack carefully between sheets of baking paper and serve in generous slices with plenty of napkins.
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Parmesan Gougeres
Egg Farmers Of Canada
These featherlight gougères, sharpened with plenty of parmesan, are pleasingly old-school – ideal to pop into your mouth and promptly wash down with a chilled glass of fizz on a summer picnic rug. Better still, they are far easier to make than they look.
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Peach Burrata & Basil Salad
Leite’s Culinaria
Almost absurdly summery, this medley of sweet peaches, creamy burrata and plenty of fresh basil makes for an effortless salad that’s bound to vanish in seconds on a hot day. Transport the dressing separately and assemble just before eating for maximum effect – or even make ahead and transport in jars.
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Proper Coronation Chicken
Borough Market
Forget the lacklustre coronation chicken sandwich filler lurking in supermarket tubs. Done properly, it is something glorious – fragrant with warming spices and just enough creaminess to feel indulgent without becoming heavy. Pile generously into soft rolls, spoon over crisp little gem leaves or serve alongside cold rice salads.
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Tomato And Cucumber Salad With Tahini And Spicy Dukkah Oil
Ottolenghi
Few people understand how to make vegetables taste thrilling quite like Yotam Ottolenghi. Here, cooling cucumber and ripe tomatoes are lifted by nutty tahini and a warmly spiced dukkah oil that turns the whole thing into something more memorable than the average picnic salad. Ideal alongside grilled meats or flaky pastries.
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Mint Lemonade
BBC
No chic picnic spread is complete without something properly thirst-quenching to drink, and this fresh mint lemonade is exactly the thing to have chilling in a flask or glass bottle on a hot afternoon. Sharp, cooling and brilliantly nostalgic, it feels equally at home beside a striped deckchair on the beach or poured into tumblers during the Glyndebourne interval. For a grown-up twist, add a splash of gin or sparkling wine just before serving.
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FAQs: Posh Picnic Food
What food works best for an elegant picnic?
The best picnic food is easy to transport, happy to sit at room temperature and simple to eat outdoors. Think tarts, salads, sandwiches, cold chicken dishes, frittatas and pastries rather than anything too delicate or temperature-sensitive.
What should I pack for a Glyndebourne or Henley picnic?
A proper rug, sturdy glasses, cloth napkins, a sharp knife, serving spoons, chilled drinks and plenty of ice packs will elevate even a simple spread enormously. A small folding table never hurts either.
How do you keep picnic food cold in summer?
Use freezer blocks and insulated cool bags, and avoid leaving dairy-heavy dishes sitting in direct sunlight for long periods. Packing food in shallow containers also helps it stay cooler.
What are the easiest picnic dishes to prepare ahead?
Frittatas, tarts, coronation chicken, gougères and composed salads can all be made earlier in the day – or even the night before – making them ideal for entertaining outdoors.
What drinks pair well with picnic food?
Crisp English sparkling wine, chilled rosé, elderflower presse, homemade lemonade and lightly sparkling water all work beautifully with summery picnic dishes.
What makes a picnic feel more special?
Real glasses, proper napkins, a good playlist, fresh flowers and thoughtfully packed food go a surprisingly long way. A little ceremony – even outdoors – is half the pleasure.
