Staying In

How To Host In The Heat

If you’re hosting a garden party during the heatwave and are panicking about melting during prep, fear not. We asked expert events planner Matthew Shaw to share some top tips for keeping your cool when hosting a scorching al fresco dinner. ‘When temperatures in the UK are soaring above 25°C in the evenings, now is not the time for a multi-course hot roasted dish affair,’ Matthew says. ‘Cold, seasonal and fresh dishes should be your go-to. Think colourful salads, mezze platters, or grilled skewers. If serving dessert, consider sorbets, fruits or tarts.’ He adds, ‘if you are serving some form of cooked food, the main thing to remember is that a lot of food does not need to be piping hot,’ Matthew adds. ‘It’s OK if your food has sat and cooled a little.’ Ensure your guests are comfortable, too, by positioning seating under trees, or using parasols or gazebos. ‘You can also add a few strategically placed fans at key positions, or place handheld ones in a basket, which can make all the difference. Depending on the theme of your event or dinner, you could also consider custom fans, which adds a little extra element and can make your event all the more special.’ Find Matthew’s full guide here.

Going Out

See The Tate’s Frida Kahlo Exhibition

What turns an artist into an icon? This summer, the Tate Modern answers that question through 30 of Frida Kahlo’s works and more than 200 objects that trace how her image, legacy and persona have been appropriated, reinterpreted and celebrated across generations. Opening today, Frida: The Making of an Icon is already the highest pre-selling exhibition in the Tate’s history. As assistant curator Beatriz García-Velasco tells C&TH: ‘Frida: The Making of an Icon looks at how Frida Kahlo became one of the most recognisable artists of the 20th century. It is not a traditional retrospective, but a contextual, historical investigation into the phenomenon of Fridamania: how her work, image and persona have been appropriated, reinterpreted and celebrated across generations, and the extraordinary hold she has had on successive artists, activists and communities around the world. The show traces that posthumous journey from a relatively little-known Mexican painter during her lifetime to a global cultural icon.’ Read the full interview here. Until 3 January 2027 at the Tate Modern, general admission £25pp. tate.org.uk

Property Of The Day

Formal out front, party out back, this Chichester townhouse is the perfect blend of old and new. Dating back to the 15th century, this Grade II listed property now boasts a cinema room, gym, studio and private rooftop garden with views across the city. 

On the market for £1.85m, fineandcountry.co.uk

Little Luxury

Luxury gin Cygnet has opened a lounge at Savile Row restaurant Sartoria, marking its three-year partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association and the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club. Head there to try the Cygnet Smash Fizz cocktail while watching live tennis: a refreshing serve made with fresh strawberries, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, basil and soda (with a non-alcoholic version also available). Book at sartoria-restaurant.co.uk

Competition Time

Fancy a seaside escape on the coast of Cornwall? Enter this competition now for your chance to win a two-night stay at Three Mile Beach.

Psssst…

We got an exclusive first look at London’s hottest new members’ club, The Pembroke in Belgravia. Designed to feel like your quirky aunt’s townhouse, it features an elevated take on a greasy spoon cafe, a Japanese chef’s table, a nightclub and a games room – plus a daily 5pm trolley dishing out martinis. Intrigued? Here’s a look inside.

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Skip protein during a heatwave. ‘Many people naturally gravitate towards lighter meals in hot weather, which is completely normal,’ says nutritionist Kim Pearson. ‘The problem is that some end up eating little more than fruit, ice cream and snacks, leaving them feeling hungry and lacking energy later in the day. Protein remains important year round for maintaining muscle mass, supporting satiety and helping stabilise blood sugar.’

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