There’s a particular kind of table that only really makes sense in summer, set outdoors or with the doors thrown open, food that looks as good cold as it does fresh from the kitchen, and nobody standing over a hob while the sun is out. At Forman & Field, we think the best summer hosting relies on things that are genuinely fresh, properly chilled, and require very little fuss between arriving at the table and being eaten. Here is what we believe belongs on the table this summer.
What’s the centrepiece for a proper summer table?
A summer table needs something that looks effortless, even though it isn’t. Our Poached Scottish Salmon, a whole fillet of Grade One Scottish salmon poached in white wine, lemon and dill, dressed and ready to serve, is exactly the sort of dish that anchors a table without anyone having to fuss over it on the day. For something a little more indulgent, Lobster Thermidor, with lobster meat folded into a creamy, mustardy Gruyère sauce and arranged back into the shell, makes a properly impressive centrepiece that needs only a light salad and charred lemons alongside it.
What should sit on the cheeseboard in summer?
Summer cheese should be the sort that’s eaten lightly, rather than cut into thick wedges. Our Tunworth, a rich, sweet, nutty soft cheese made in Hampshire, is best served simply on Mel-bagel Toasts, and feels considerably more interesting on a summer table than the usual wheel of Camembert.
What should I drink on a proper summer table?
Summer entertaining calls for something that can be poured cold and finished before the ice has fully melted. Our Court Garden Classic Cuvée Brut, made using the traditional Champagne method on a south-facing slope in Sussex, is crisp and complex enough to work as a proper aperitif, while pairing beautifully with seafood. For something with a touch more colour, Balfour Brut Rosé, palest pink with vibrant English acidity and notes of citrus and summer berry, is the sort of bottle that disappears rather quickly once poured.
What dessert finishes a proper summer table?
Pudding in summer should feel light rather than heavy, and easy enough to serve straight from the fridge. Our All Year Round Summer Pudding in a Pot, a twist on the classic British dessert, brings exactly the sort of bright, fruity finish a long summer lunch deserves, without anyone having to so much as switch the oven on.