A gourmet picnic

The food is fancy
the drinks expensive

This style of event is no impromptu affair! The gourmet picnic should be prepared with the flourish and style demanded by the forthcoming event and setting.

Never mind the little black dress, fashion is now focused on the table – so that means a posh picnic must be beautifully dressed, with glamorous cloths and tableware. With elegant table decorations and food garnishes, you can give a new meaning to the idea of dressing for dinner!

If sitting cross-legged on a blanket or picnic rug doesn't appeal, then fold-up table and chairs should be included in your picnic packing.

Remember you are restricted by what you can carry but if you keep things simple (white linen tablecloth for instance) but as beautiful as possible (elegant cutlery and fresh flowers) you will still impress your guests.

Use clear crystal or glassware, because wine and champagne don't look that attractive in coloured glasses, and try and use ones with a wide base, which are less likley to topple.

See-through, umbrella type, food covers are a useful addition to the co-ordinating tableware and cutlery. They allow the picnickers to see the beauty of the feast, while keeping out unwanted wasps and flies.

The menu should feature traditional, as well as contemporary favourites to ensure it is perfect for a special family gathering at the races or a theatrical performance in a garden with friends.

The gourmet picnic must suit the season, the location and the traditions of the occasion but with just a few key components you can quickly create an elegant and inviting alfresco table.

It’s of prime importance that you take into consideration how the food is to be transported and served, not forgetting the picnic drinks.

If you want to really show off, you could serve your white wine or champagne from the new ice bottle cooler (an ice bucket made of ice) from IWOOT. This really cool cooler stays frozen for 6 hours. Only £19.99. (They'll deliver to most of Europe and the USA)

Every detail of a posh picnic should be carefully thought out, well in advance. A list is more important than ever.

Often the occasion will kick off with Champagne or a large glass of Pimms, so you need to be well organised or it might all go horribly wrong!

Appearing out of hampers and baskets at a glamorous picnic you’ll often see whole dressed salmon or salmon en croute, beef Wellington, succulent lobster or king prawns, as well as a whole array of other gourmet treats.

A guest at such an event cannot fail to be pleased with such elegant picnic starters as:

- a bowl of hard-boiled, and shelled, quail eggs with celery salt and cayenne pepper to dip them into
- Chilled asparagus soup (homemade of course)
- Smoked salmon with caper berries and lemon quarters
- Salmon and trout – or duck – rillettes, or potted crab, with toasted mini bagels or pittas
- kipper pate with watercress served with a hard-boiled egg (with a soft yolk) and melba toast
- Savoury quiches and tarts – smoked trout & watercress, salmon and asparagus

Then, to follow, a boned and stuffed turkey or perhaps a home-baked ham or fillet of beef with various salads.

If you're searching for specialist foods such as foie gras, smoked eel, or fabulous Spanish and Italian ham for your picnic, then try the leading online fine foods retailer - London Fine Foods Group. Much of their product range is found in Harrods, Fortums and Selfridges but at double the price!

Often, in England in the summer, the traditional desert is fresh strawberries bathed in cream but you might prefer an exotic fruit salad, a summer pudding or honeyed grapes in individual crystal glasses.

This could be followed with a platter of carefully chosen cheeses, with crisp celery and oatcakes.

You might like to check out a favorite gourmet site of mine too. The picnic menu page on the gourmet food revolution site will give you additional ideas, along with some tips which will guarantee a perfect occasion, with minimum stress!

If you have no time or inclination to create a gourmet picnic menu yourself, you can always order a hamper from a caterer. This is a trouble-free solution and you can concentrate on enjoying yourself!

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