Whether you are out for a longed-for reunion or eating al fresco in the garden, make it an occasion to cherish with some of the county’s best food and drink
Three of the best: Bread and cakes
Flour, Water, Salt - Bread, pastries, coffee and cakes galore, this flourishing Macclesfield business, a former Cheshire Life Independent Retailer of the Year award winner and recipient of a handful of World Bread Awards, has everything you would want for the perfect picnic. Organic ingredients are used to make their superb breads and if you’re looking for something warm to serve on your picnic blanket, they are now making pizza on Friday and Saturday nights – perfect for those picnics that turn into a summer’s evening gathering. Collection only. Flourwatersalt.co.uk.
Bite the Macaron - The modern Warrington patisserie serves up colourful mouthfuls of French macarons. Lots of flavours from classics like banoffee and pistachio to watermelon and red velvet come filled with curds, jams, caramels meringues – every element made from scratch. Little mouths will love the Cookies and Cream and Bubble Gum with mini macaron towers perfect for sharing with your picnic pals.
Mrs Darlington’s - Need some jam for a warm scone or maybe a jam sandwich for the little members or your picnic crew? Award-winning Crewe maker and national name Mrs Darlington’s are your go-to. Marian Darlington first started making her products, and even now in her eighties is the chief recipe creator, for the company’s huge line of jams, jellies, chutneys and curds. Go classic with a raspberry jam, perfect for ladling on, or pair their farmers pickle or spicy tomato and sticky onion chutney with a cracking Cheshire cheese. mrsdarlingtons.com.
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Glorious grazing: deli and snacks
Gourmegg, Frodsham - No picnic table is complete without the humble Scotch egg. Raise your picnic game with these handmade, award winning gourmet options from Frodsham’s Andrew Price with several different flavours from Little Piggy, a free range pork with black pudding and herbs to the huevo vegetarian made with chickpeas and stacked with veg. You’ll ordinarily find them in a number of independent retailers as well as for sale at various food markets across the region. They are currently available for online order with local collection. facebook.com/gourmegguk
Cheshire Grazing Company - This craze for grazing first started in Australia and has become a firm favourite for foodies. Perfect for taking the prep out of picnics, Winwick-based Cheshire Grazing Company’s platters come laden with cheeses, cured meats, artisan breads, savoury treats and fresh fruit and vegetables. You can order super salads to pair with your platter or if you are feeling in need of a little extra decadence, add a slab of pure Cheshire honeycomb or strawberries dipped in chocolate to your feast. facebook.com/cheshiregrazingcompany.
The Hollies Farm Shop - This Cheshire farm shop favourite has always had a deli laden with the most delicious of goodies. Fortunately, lockdown hasn’t changed this. Perfect for the poshest of picnic hampers, you’ll find everything from homemade pies and pates to olives, cheeses, charcuterie, quiches and fresh pasta at their Little Budworth site as well as a celebration of Cheshire food with lots of products made on site or by producers from the county. Theholliesfarmshop.co.uk
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The board members: cheese made in Cheshire
Bexton Cheeses - Coming from generations of farming, Charles Hough now makes an exciting range of handmade cheeses. With decades of experience, Charles now makes these wax encased artisan truckles that come in flavours from tomato and basil and Ashwood to hot chilli and stem ginger. They are selling it from their pop-up shop in Bexton Lane in Knutsford. Can’t make it to them, if you’re in a five-mile radius they will deliver for free. Call 07719 275127 for more information.
Orsom Cheese - Since the family business, Joseph Heler, first opened its doors in 1957, they have been producing products for the county to be proud of. Their range of Orsom cheeses made on Laurels Farm in Hatherton, near Nantwich, come with lots of flavour. Try their new cheese, Breeze. This buttery-smooth, melt-in-the-mouth, delicate brie, is perfect with fruit and wine and ideal for those summer gatherings. orsomcheese.co.uk
HS Bourne Cheeses - You’re in safe hands with these traditional, artisan cheeses made using milk from the family’s own herd of Friesian cows. The Bourne family have been hand making Cheshire cheese in Malpas since 1750 and still use those tried and tested, traditional hands-on methods. Awarded a raft of accolades at the World Cheese Awards, you’ll find their fantastic products, including their Oak Smoked Cheshire, Blue Cheshire and Mrs Bourne’s Mature Cheshire, in supermarkets and farmers markets but you can also buy online or from the farm gate. Hsbourne.co.uk.
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Drink up: picnic pours
Wincle Beer - After years of selling beer, Wincle Beer founder turned his hand to brewing. Arguably one of the most picturesque British microbreweries, this rural business at our county’s border produces beers that would impress even the pickiest of picnic pals. From the Rambler Amber, Life of Riley IPA or one of their well-known seasonal brews, you will be spoilt for choice. Winclebeer.co.uk.
Cloudwater Soda - You don’t always have to reach for the booze with this Manchester brewery. The clever people at Cloudwater, along with their brilliant beers, have also created delicious sodas combining hoppy notes with other exciting flavours including their pineapple and yuzu, green tea and simcoe and mango and citra sour sodas. Shop.cloudwaterbrew.co.
Second Son Distillery, Norley - This micro distillery, one of the smallest in the UK, has been serving up ginspired ideas since it launched in 2016. Founded by former pub landlord, John Whitlow, they make small batches of just 30 bottles. Choose from their Cheshire dry, Blackberry and Elderflower and Winter Spiced Gin. www.secondson.co.uk
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And if you’re looking for inspiration on places to go, here our top ten picnic spots in Cheshire and North Wales
