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There’s no alfresco feast more delightful than a good old fashioned summer picnic. London’s parks will soon be populated by quilted blankets and overflowing wicker baskets. Nevertheless, picnic preparation is not to be underestimated.

If the thought of soggy sandwiches and leaky Tupperware sends your snack senses spiralling, Head Chef at The Arch London’s in-house restaurant Hunter 486, has lent us his top tips to ensure your own al fresco feast goes down a treat. Here’s to creating your own seasonal summer spread!

Mix it Up

Ensure a combination of sweet and savoury options are included in your picnic spread. Avoid sticky puddings and instead opt for easy to eat cakes or desserts. We send our guests off with slices of Battenberg and miniature Raspberry & pistachio trifles complete with the appropriate cutlery.

Quality not Quantity

There’s a tendency to overpack when it comes to picnics, but the trick is to focus on quality not quantity. For example, crisps are a picnic staple but why not ditch the unhealthy shop-bought bags and instead bake some potato slices yourself? Not only are the baked variety healthier, your fellow picnic-ers will value the effort you’ve put in. We provide homemade crisps in our hampers which our guests really appreciate.

Seasonal Specials

Just because picnic hampers are typically packed with finger food, this doesn’t mean your spread needs to be simple. Do some research into seasonal summer recipe ideas featuring ingredients such as tomatoes and potatoes and prepare accordingly. For example, our hampers include a delicious potato salad with apple and mustard dressing.

Add Some Sparkle

It’s easy to solely focus on food, but the choice of beverage is just as key for a successful picnic. English sparkling wine is wonderfully refreshing on a hot day and complements a wide variety of snacks. We offer Camel Valley, Brut, 2012, a lovely English sparkling wine.

Avoid Mess

There’s nothing worse than discovering a smashed salad dressing bottle inside your hamper on arrival at your sunny spot. Ensure all components are individually wrapped and securely fastened. There’s no harm in double-bagging! It helps if your hamper is easy to carry, as this way the contents will not be disturbed.

Edith Zamora