Jeune Chaîne Annual Picnic 2026

On Saturday 12 September, members of the Jeune Chaîne gathered for our annual picnic, this year set against the beautiful backdrop of Holland Park.

Whilst often overshadowed by some of London’s larger royal parks (with Hyde Park only minutes away), Holland Park is one of the city’s hidden gems, rich in history and renowned for its stunning landscaped gardens. Nestled beside the elegant Dutch Garden and only a short stroll from the tranquil Kyoto Garden and Fukushima Memorial Garden, it provided the perfect setting for an afternoon of good food, great company and, of course, excellent wine.

Fortunately, the weather was on our side. We were blessed with glorious sunshine without the heat becoming overwhelming, creating ideal picnic conditions for our small but enthusiastic gathering.

Following the theme of “Pastel & Pétillant”, members arrived dressed in an array of soft pastel colours, embracing the spirit of the day. The “Pétillant” element was equally well represented, with no fewer than seven bottles shared amongst the group, including five bottles of Champagne and two bottles of white wine.

As always, food took centre stage.

We began with an impressive all-British cheese and charcuterie platter, featuring more than 1.5kg of artisan cheeses and cured meats, showcasing some of the very best British producers:

• Cornish Yarg (Lynher Dairies, Cornwall)
• Vintage Cheddar (Barbers Farmhouse)
• Lincolnshire Poacher (Ulceby Grange)
• House Salami (Tempus Charcuterie)
• Spiced Loin (Tempus Charcuterie)
• Smoked Coppa (Tempus Charcuterie)

The grazing table continued with a selection of handcrafted mini bagels from specialist London bagel bakers, including:

• Chicken mayonnaise with little gem lettuce, tomato and red onion
• Smoked salmon with herby caper cream cheese, red onion and dill

Making a welcome return after proving so popular at previous events were the rich and buttery demi-brioche buns. Favourite fillings included:

• Truffle “Cacio e Pepe” truffle cheddar cream cheese, black pepper and vegetarian British pecorino
• Prawn mayonnaise with little gem lettuce and paprika
• Egg mayonnaise topped with spring onions and chives

Of course, no picnic in London would be complete without a visit from the local wildlife. Throughout the afternoon, several curious squirrels kept a close eye on proceedings, clearly intrigued by the feast on offer. While we were happy to share pieces of brioche and bagel, the fillings remained firmly reserved for the human guests!

More importantly, the afternoon provided a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends old and new, share stories, enjoy plenty of laughter and celebrate the camaraderie that makes the Jeune Chaîne so special.

A delightful afternoon of food, friendship and fizz in one of London’s most beautiful parks.

Viva La Chaîne!