Love it or hate it; this heatwave isn’t going to last forever (until Sunday if the forecast is to be believed). So, we’re making the most of it the only way we know how – with an M&S picky tea, of course.
We asked the GH team which M&S picky bits they’ve been buying on repeat this week, so you can build the ultimate heatwave spread. Whether you’re stocking up on the supermarket’s viral dips for low-effort lunches or you're after easy entertaining essentials for the park, beach or garden, these are the buys worth adding to your basket now.
“No one does a dip quite like M&S. I’m yet to meet one I don’t adore, but this Mediterranean-inspired loaded mezze number is a current favourite. With a creamy labneh base topped with aubergine, olives and parsley, it tastes like something I’d order on holiday with a basket of warm flatbreads. A girl can dream.”
M&S Baked Pickled Jalapeño Flavour Pretzels
M&S Baked Pickled Jalapeño Flavour Pretzels
“Whatever dip I go for – and trust me, there’s not a week that goes by right now where I’m not buying one – these pretzels are my scooper of choice. They’re almost too spicy for me, and I couldn’t tell you exactly what makes them so addictive, but I’m completely incapable of stopping once the bag’s open.”
“Snacky bits on a stick would be my Mastermind specialist subject, so these were always going to be a hit. They’re exactly the sort of thing I want with a glass of something very, very cold in the garden.”
“I love that you can now buy a bottle of Pet Nat from M&S – it makes drinking in the park feel infinitely classier. More exciting than prosecco, it has delicate bubbles and a slightly yeasty, champagne-like finish, but it’s made in England and feels good value at £15. Flavour-wise, it’s giving berry granola crossed with Eton Mess, and most importantly, it’s the perfect pairing for a picky tea spread.”
M&S Collection Handcrafted Charcuterie and Cheese Platter
M&S Collection Handcrafted Charcuterie and Cheese Platter
“With a selection of charcuterie, cheese, juicy sun-dried tomatoes and briny olives, this ready-made platter has it all. It’s ideal for the park, a last-minute picnic, or those evenings when it’s simply too hot to cook. Plus, it’s probably cheaper than buying everything individually (that’s what I tell myself anyway) and requires absolutely zero prep.”
“Boring maybe, but when I’m hosting al fresco, I always throw one of these into my basket to bulk out a picky tea. Made with just egg, potato and onion, it tastes as good as homemade – without the stress of trying to flip it and ending up with half of it stuck to the pan.”
M&S Dinky Cheese & Onion Pain au Fromage
M&S Dinky Cheese & Onion Pain au Fromage
“I’d happily live off Pret’s cheese and tomato croissants if I could, but apparently that’s socially unacceptable. These new mini bites – made with buttery flaky pastry and a creamy cheesy middle – remind me of them, only they’re much better suited to a picnic hamper. They’re dangerously moreish though, so don’t expect them to last very long once opened.”
“I’m not sure this counts as a health ‘hack’, but I’m obsessed with these cheesy clouds. They fill the crisps-and-nuts hole perfectly and, made with literally just cheese, they pack in 8g of protein too. My only complaint is that the packet is absolutely tiny.”
M&S Tequila Spritz Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Cocktail
M&S Tequila Spritz Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Cocktail
“Is it even summer without an M&S tinny on the go? If your tipple of choice is a Paloma, you’ll love this. It’s similarly made with tequila, but grapefruit-flavoured tonic water replaces the classic grapefruit soda which gives it a gentle bitterness that we’re into.”
“If a Magnum Double Caramel and a Twix ice cream bar had a love child, I’m pretty sure this would be it. With crunchy biscuit, oozy dulce de leche and a thick chocolate coating, they’re the ultimate post-picky bits sweet treat. I don’t really want to admit how many I’ve already eaten this summer.”
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
