The traditional picnic is undergoing a significant transformation this summer, moving beyond basic sandwiches and casual drinks to a more curated experience. Experts in food and wine suggest that the emphasis is shifting towards homemade elements, strategic food pairings, and elevated presentation to create a memorable outdoor dining occasion.
Elevating the Food
Homemade dishes are considered a cornerstone of an enhanced picnic. Food editor Eleanor Maidment highlights that items prepared from scratch, such as sandwiches wrapped in parchment paper with fillings like chicken and watercress or steak and horseradish, offer a more refined touch than store-bought options. Similarly, homemade sausage rolls, made with good quality sausage meat and puff pastry, are cited as an impressive and relatively simple addition. Mini savoury tarts made with puff pastry are also recommended.
Sales data indicates a growing interest in dips and deli staples, with labneh sales increasing by 18% year-over-year. Maidment notes that labneh is easy to make at home by straining Greek yogurt and suggests enhancing it with toppings like roasted red peppers with harissa or roasted cherry tomatoes with garlic and oregano. The overall suggested plate composition for an ideal picnic includes approximately 30% savoury items, 25% dips, 20% crunchy textures, 15% sweet items, and 10% unexpected pairings. Individual desserts, such as Eton mess or deconstructed cheesecakes served in jam jars, are also gaining popularity, with cheesecake sales up 52%.
Smart Beverage Choices
For drinks, the focus is on fresh styles of rosé and white wines, with Chablis, Albariño, and Picpoul being recommended. Alternative wine formats like cans, bags, and pouches are becoming more accepted, especially among premium producers. To maintain optimal temperature, an ice bucket with ice packs or an insulated bottle, such as the Partner in Wine bottle, is advised. For glassware, a set of real glass tumblers is suggested as a more sophisticated alternative to plastic.
Thoughtful Serveware and Presentation
The choice of serveware plays a crucial role in the overall picnic aesthetic. Enamelware is emerging as a popular option due to its durability, light weight, and visual appeal. Brands like Falcon Enamelware offer plates, mugs, and bowls that are robust and suitable for various picnic foods. Additionally, using a real linen picnic cloth instead of disposable paper, cloth napkins, and a wooden board for serving dips can significantly enhance the presentation. These details, according to experts, signal a greater effort and contribute to transforming a basic picnic into a more impressive experience.