With Wimbledon and the heatwave marrying nicely this Summer, picnics are the most ideal way to celebrate the tournament, relish the SPF 50 temps, and enjoy good food and even better company!
The Betty Blythe Vintage Tea Rooms is a private vintage tea room in West London, in a little nook called Brook Green. The beautiful 1920s themed setting even offers to the table the Betty Blythe’s Fine Food Party.
Serving their very own bespoke picnic hampers that capture the essence of a quintessential English picnic; from a wicker basket with Chinese ceramics, fresh sandwiches and cakes to Champagne and lashing of ginger beer.
Today, Betty Blythe’s own Founder, the UK’s no.1 expert on Street Parties and author of Style Me Vintage Parties, LuLu Gwynne, is giving YCB’s readers her top tips on how to be ever ready for the most perfect (and Instagrammable!) picnic.
1) Don’t forget a blanket!
Genteel folk who picnic in the outdoors must show a commitment to a day of lazing and indulging by having a cashmere blanket to spend the day on. Don’t forget fans, pillows, and sun hats. Ones’ delicate skin can be saved by having a sun umbrella ‑ choose a light colour shade and decorate with pretty bows and frills!
2) Dress for the day
If the Yahoo! weather gods allow, aim to hold your picnic on a sunny day. Choose the perfect breezy floral dress to spend the day in, think about how comfortable the dress is to sit on; anything tight around the waist is bad news for digestion and don’t choose anything too short; the chaps don’t need a flash of your undergarments whilst enjoying their eats.
3) Keep it cool
While quaint picnic hampers are beautiful way to keep all your eating equipment in check, it’s best to the food itself being stored in a cool bag or box. Do not turn up with plastic bags! If in doubt borrow these type of essentials from a kind neighbour.
4) Fun food
When packing for a period‑themed picnic use your vintage china, depression glasses; packed safely using your linen napkins. What about the food we hear your cry! What delicious goodies could you pack? Betty Blythe’s favourite are tea sandwiches with salmon and cream cheese, thin slices of ham or chicken with asparagus with vinaigrette, rice salad with celery, nuts and raisins, a fruit and cheese plate and to complete your picnic plenty of fresh strawberries, a Victoria sponge and lashing of good cheer.
5) Boozy beverages
On your picnic, it should be essential to bring a varied menu. White wine and rose wines are very good for a picnic, being bright and breezy in taste. Champagne is encouraged as its perfect to accompany things like smoked salmon and picnic food – think Afternoon Tea at the Waldorf and pair your treats with refreshing glasses of Taittinger. For cool drinks try lemonade or ginger beer.
