Since 1877, the Wimbledon Tennis Championships have been considered the tennis tournament of the year. A Wimbledon crown is one of the most prestigious titles in the sport, and the event itself is an integral part of the British summer. As with so many British traditions, food plays a big role in the experience and Wimbledon recipes and traditions have become just as iconic as the tennis itself.
Tickets to the Championships are highly sought after, and attending is really something. We were lucky enough to go to the Women’s Semi-Finals in 2009 and 2010, the Women’s Final in 2011, and the Men’s Semi-Finals in 2016. After that, life got busy—and I must admit, I forgot to apply for the ballot!
You cannot just buy Wimbledon tickets as you would buy tickets for other sporting events. The majority are allocated through a public ballot system, which aims to make access fair and open to everyone. You register on the Wimbledon website, then apply well in advance and, if you’re lucky, you’re selected at random to purchase tickets for a specific day and court. It’s always exciting to receive that coveted letter (or email) saying you’ve been successful.
Wimbledon is more than just a tennis tournament. Here in the UK, it’s practically a season in its own right. Even those who rarely watch tennis during the rest of the year like me find themselves tuning in, chatting about the matches, and indulging in traditional Wimbledon treats. For two weeks, Wimbledon influences our culture, our conversations and our cuisine.
Like other iconic events in the British social season—Trooping the Colour, Cowes Week, Royal Ascot, the Henley Festival, the Cartier International Polo, and the Lord’s Test Match—Wimbledon has its own traditions. Many foods have become associated with the event over the years, from strawberries and cream to afternoon tea, champagne, and Pimm’s, a classic British summer spirit served with fruit and fizzy lemonade. (In the UK, “lemonade” refers to a fizzy, lemon-flavoured soft drink similar to Sprite or 7-Up.)
Whether you’re lucky enough to be attending the Championships in person or enjoying them from home, Wimbledon recipes and traditions are a wonderful way to soak up the atmosphere. If you are planning a little celebratory refreshment, or just fancy a treat while watching the tennis, here are some delicious recipe ideas to help you celebrate Wimbledon in traditional style.
Scones with strawberries, clotted cream and jam.
Madeira Cake served with a cup of tea
And of course you cannot go wrong with Strawberries and cream on their own!
Feeling inspired? You can find the Perfect Pimm’s Recipe and an entire section on the BBC website devoted to Wimbledon recipes.
If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy my family recipe for Mixed Fruit Pavlova, the perfect summer dessert!
Leave A Reply!