Fortnum & Mason Scotch eggs were the reason for this stop on Piccadilly. I was putting together a simple London picnic and wanted the traditional version from the basement food hall. This archive film, first published on 5 September 2016, follows the visit from the shop counter to a tasting beneath the trees in Green Park.
A picnic stop on Piccadilly
The opening walk is full of thoughts about British picnic food. I was looking for something compact and filling, with none of the fuss of an elaborate spread. Pork pies and Scotch eggs were on my mind as I headed towards Fortnum & Mason.
Green Park was my destination, so this was a convenient stop along the way. The film briefly takes in the shopfront before heading downstairs. I knew where to find the Scotch eggs, having bought them here before.
Choosing Fortnum & Mason Scotch eggs
There were two versions at the counter that day: a traditional Scotch egg and one with black pudding. I chose the traditional version. The surrounding pies looked tempting too, and the camera pauses over the display before moving on.
For anyone unfamiliar with it, the Scotch egg I describe in the film has an egg at its centre, surrounded by sausage meat and a breadcrumb coating. Cutting or biting into it reveals those layers. It is a small purchase, but it becomes the focus of the afternoon’s picnic.
A look at the picnic hampers
Before leaving, I looked through the hamper department. Wicker baskets, bottles and other provisions filled the shelves and displays. In the film I talk about the different hampers and the possibility of choosing their contents.
My own picnic was much simpler. I left with the Scotch egg and continued along Piccadilly, talking about the appeal of familiar British picnic food. That contrast between the elaborate hampers and one small wrapped snack is part of the visit.
The Scotch egg story
On the walk, I discuss Fortnum & Mason’s claim to have invented the Scotch egg. I also acknowledge the scepticism around that story. Here, it remains the shop’s origin claim, rather than something this short tasting film establishes.
The practical attraction for me was the food itself. The shop visit leads naturally into a quiet stop in the park, away from the traffic and busy pavements of Piccadilly.
Tasting the Scotch egg in Green Park
Under the trees, I unwrapped the Scotch egg and held it up to the camera. It was still intact when I opened the paper. Then came the first bite and a closer look at the filling.
The centre was the highlight: a soft, gooey yolk inside the cooked outer layers. My reaction was enthusiastic, and the camera stays close enough to show what I was enjoying. It is a straightforward picnic tasting, with the park providing the backdrop.
This short film comes from the longer Summer in London + Picnics Royal Rules + Trooping the Colour 2016 vlog. For another visit to the same shop, see Fortnum & Mason at Christmas in 2016.
