'I'm head chef at CrowdedHouse - here's my five tips for the perfect posh picnic this weekend'

Gone are the days when a British picnic automatically meant a packet of crisps, a lukewarm sausage roll, and a slightly squashed white bread sandwich.

Instead, a massive lifestyle shift is underway across Leeds as a growing number of outdoor diners embrace the trend of the "poshnic" - swapping tired old staples for artisan breads, curated grazing boards, seasonal heritage salads, and restaurant-quality food enjoyed alfresco.

The luxury trend coincides with National Picnic Week (June 15–22) and a scorching weekend weather forecast that is expected to pack out local parks.

New data reveals that 89% of people have either already enjoyed a picnic this year or plan to before summer wraps up, while more than a third (37%) admit they are dining outdoors much more frequently than they did a few years ago.

According to Simon Jewitt, Head Chef at the popular Leeds eatery CrowdedHouse, the modern picnic has transformed from a matter of mere convenience into a proper social event.

Simon explains: "People are treating picnics much more like they would a meal out. It's no longer just about packing whatever is easiest to carry. People are choosing quality ingredients, planning menus, and turning a simple afternoon outdoors into a proper food experience.

"A posh picnic isn't really about spending more money; it's about being more intentional with what you choose. A fresh focaccia, a good local cheese, seasonal fruit, and a homemade salad can feel incredibly indulgent without costing a fortune."

If you are planning to head out to the park this weekend, here are Simon’s five top insider tips to completely upgrade your outdoor dining basket

Simon Jewitt’s five-point picnic plan for the summer

1. Ditch the sliced bread and upgrade the basics

Swap standard sliced loaves for freshly baked focaccia, sourdough, or crusty continental baguettes that can be torn apart by hand.

Pair these with premium pantry staples like high-quality butter, tapenade, or tinned Spanish anchovies and sardines for an instant, sophisticated European feel.

2. Build around a few standout ingredients

Rather than filling your hamper with dozens of heavily processed, plastic-packaged snacks, focus your budget on three or four exceptional items.

A single bag of premium crisps can easily become the centrepiece of an impressive grazing board when paired with quality cured meats, artisan cheeses, and marinated olives.

3. Let summer seasonal produce do the hard work

British summer offers some of the best produce of the entire year, and the beauty of high-quality, seasonal ingredients is that they require almost zero kitchen preparation.

Incorporate fresh British strawberries, sweet cherries, heritage tomatoes, and local Yorkshire cheeses that shine completely on their own.

4. Focus on sharing platters over individual portions

Nobody wants an outdoor dinner to feel like a sad lunch eaten at an office desk. Swap out individual, isolated sandwich bags for communal charcuterie, vibrant antipasti, dips, and large grazing boards.

Sharing platters naturally encourage conversation and turn the meal into a relaxed, experience-led event.

5. Don't overlook the power of presentation

A humble supermarket spread can instantly look and feel like a high-end luxury meal if it is presented with a bit of care.

You don't need to buy anything expensive - simply serving your food on light wooden boards, packing proper glasses instead of plastic cups, and using reusable plates completely elevates the entire afternoon.