Sick of cocktail sausages and pork pies? ‘Course you’re not, they’re everyone’s guilty pleasure – but sometimes a posh picnic is in order. And for one of those, look no further than Carluccio’s. Made fresh (they can be pre-ordered up to 24 hours in advance) or the chef’s choice on the day, there are two types to choose from – Classic or Vegetarian.

Having tried the Classic two summers previous, we opted for the same again – one hamper easily serving four people (or making an absolute feast for two).

Doorstop-thick foccacia is freshly baked on the morning of sale, studded with huge, juicy olives and sea salt granules. Next, a mountain of anti-pasto – Milano, Napoli and Finocchiona salami with green beans, caperberries and chargrilled courgettes.

Two huge, buttery Taleggio tarts come next, filled with pancetta and spring onion. There are two ‘main’ dishes, each doused in olive oil of fantastic quality. Corn-fed chicken supreme comes with lemon, garlic and chillies on a green leaf salad, and a pearl barley salad is filled with chargrilled aubergine, peppers and rocket.

All tasted incredible, filling yet not heavy, and perfect for a summer’s day in the garden or an outdoor event (we recommend the Open Air Theatre at Regent’s Park – spellbinding on a warm evening).

Dessert was by far our favourite component – two lighter-than-air strawberry tarts and a pack of classic biscotti from Piedmont. Like some bubbles with your afters? Opt for a dry Prosecco Santo Stefano, £14.95 – hailing from Veneto, it’d be a crime not to.

Amy @ FashionBite xx

Carluccio’s summer picnic hampers are £45

Website: Carluccios.com