Picnic like a Gentleman

With summer just around the corner we asked Michelin-star trained chef and founder of the luxury events specialists Munch Food Company; Keith Goddard to share ideas on what to pack for the ultimate, chef-worthy picnic hamper.

Home Made

“It is never a real picnic without sandwiches. Impress your friends and family with my delicious, foolproof recipe for Crayfish Cocktail sandwich. To make enough for four people, finely dice half a deseeded cucumber and fold in 300g crayfish, two tablespoons of mayonnaise, the zest of one lemon, one teaspoon of tomato ketchup and a dash each of Tabasco and Worcestershire Sauce. Add a pinch of paprika and one finely sliced baby gem lettuce. Spread evenly on lightly buttered, good quality rye bread for a luxury sandwich.”

The Picnic Classic

“Cold sausages are a picnic classic for a reason and when it comes to sausage rolls, you could of course make your own, but I would buy mine from The Ginger Pig. My tip is, get more than enough for everyone as they always get devoured first”

What to Drink

“Nothing says summer quite like a glass or two of rosé. Pack a couple of chilled bottles in your picnic basket to wash down your outdoor feast. I also enjoy a cool glass of water with cucumber and lime. Simply chill the water, add cucumber and 3-4 slices of lime in a bottle, decant the water over pop on the top and off you go”

A Sweet Finish

“Satisfy your sweet tooth with simple yet sophisticated chocolate-coated strawberries. Melt some good quality chocolate in a bain-marie and add a good pinch of sea salt. Dip in the strawberries and place them on a lightly oiled greaseproof tray. Whip up 350g of double cream and two tablespoons of icing sugar to soft peaks to create the perfect Chantilly cream to accompany the strawberries. Pack in a cool-box to keep your sweet treats cold and fresh while you’re enjoying the sun.”