Top 15 Local Producer Picnic Treats #Blog

Briony Wilson
20th April 2021

All this Al Fresco dining and beautiful spring weather has got us in the mood for a picnic, so we have lined up our top 15 Picnic products from some of our favourite local Cheshire Producers, for you to try.

Pork Pies- No picnic would be the same without a pie and Powells pies are by far the best, they offer 3 different sizes depending on how many you need to share with and if you love pickled onions as much as I do, then they make a brilliant accompaniment.

Flask of Tea/ Coffee – When you think of picnics the first thing you think of is food, so commonly do people forget the drinks and I think especially in the spring a Flask of Carslake Tea or Lost Barn Coffee – will just hit the spot especially for those caffeine addicts like myself. Lost Barn now have a hot chocolate you could try, or on a sunny spring day, try it chilled in a thermos with some ice cubes!

Sandwiches – This must be the staple of all picnics, a selection of lots of different sandwiches- childhood memories make me think of roasted ham and Chutney baps; But with our amazing local butchers,  Dutton’s of Kelsall are currently doing Honey roasted ham shanks plus with a little help from Cheshire Chutney I’m sure yours would be much elevated from my childhood ones!

Bread – If you’ve been to our Taste Cheshire Farmer’s market you’ll know what Jane’s Handmade Bread is absolutely the best choice for your picnic. Handmade with love and hour upon hour of work, her sourdough is a revelation and we are OBSESSED with her Chelsea Buns.

Cheese – Cheshire is of course known for it’s Cheese, and Cheshire Cheese Co have out done themselves with their new Black Truffle cheese. From the first taste, you will find that the flavour not only grows on you but rapidly becomes a desire for much more. This is an expensive luxury ingredient well worth treating yourself or your friends and family with for a special picnic. 

Scotch Eggs – Picnics are all about the finger foods and Alfred and Carre are here to help with the fabulous range of scotch eggs that are just a little different, flavours include: The Original, Haggis Egg, Steak and Pullet Egg, Venison and Quails Egg and Free-Range Pork and Black Pudding Egg.

Chicken Drumsticks can be found at all the best local butchers, but the very best come from Ernest W. Edge or H Clewlows, with a whole host of different marinades to excite every member of the family. Oh, and while you’re at H Clewlows, nab some Hayfields Dairy Farmhouse Butter. It’s local, made with fresh cream…and let’s be honest, it’s the bread and butter that make a sandwich!

Cakes – All Picnic needs a little something sweet whether it be flapjacks, cookies, or brownies, remember they need to travel well. A little give ‘n’ cake can certainly help you the Biscoff Rocky Road and Nutella Blondies look incredible.

A little tipple – Why not spice your picnic up a little with some fizz or bubbles, Dipple Tipple can certainly assist with Forest Gin & Hibiscus Lemonade Soda in a can – perfect for transport and so very refreshing, much like New Ready to Drink Hunters Gin & Tonic. So, if you are making this a true boozy picnic why not go all the way and bring some IPAs from Cheshire Brewhouse, the fabulous packaging will definitely brighten up your picnic basket.

Scones With Jam And Cream –  You could go down the more traditional route with Scones, whether you make your own with Nelstrop’ s flour, or you cheat with some ready made ones, for that we hugely recommend you order from Humble and Whole Bakery!; you want to be topping them with some Clotton Hall Dairy clotted cream and Mrs Darlington’s jams, my favourite is the extra jam- raspberry jam but if you want to kick things up a notch why not try the Passion fruit curd for some extra zing.

Soft drinks – Fancy something refreshing but you have the kids with you? Keep it Teetotal but enjoy the flavour with Jeffreys handcrafted Cordials.

Biltong – Weston Biltong is the ideal snack for a picnic especially if you are incorporating a walk to the perfect spot or if you have lots of elements that you need to prepare this brilliant snacks will stop the kids from complaining whilst they wait. Its full of protein so the ideal healthy snack and packed with flavour.

Speaking of keeping it healthy – The Hollies and Lowes farm shop are packed with delicious local veg and beautiful fruit, to make veg sticks and/or side salads. Plus, for me it’s not a picnic without Strawberries. That is just a fact. Perfect with those scones too. 

Potato Salad – We all like different versions of this, but there are some truly magical things you can do with the humble potato. The real potato specialists are Cheshire Farm, and their potato products can be added to a whole host of things to make the perfect side dish for any picnic fan.

Ice cream – After a great day put there is nothing better than coming home to ice cream, since its not the easiest to transport and keep cool. But you can always do a click and collect at Backford Belles, or pop through the drive thru at The Ice Cream Farm.