The slow but constant conquest of the old Albion by the big companies from A Coruña has been a reality and a success for months: Inditex has set up large properties in the middle of Oxford Street and has opened a mega Zara in Battersea; Estrella Galicia opens space in the most referential pubs in London and now Bonilla a la Vista not only triumphs among British high society, but also will be directly cast as a gourmet product in the preparations for the coronation of Carlos III and the queen consort Camilla Parker Bowles.
Fortnum and Mason, perhaps ‘the department store’ for food in terms of excellence and quality, as well as a tourist attraction, has designed a huge picnic basket called ‘The king of picnics’, as part of a vast and exclusive line of souvenirs of the act that will take place on May 6th. Among the 39 products on offer is a can of Bonilla a la Vista potatoes, which shares a basket with the famous Scotch eggs, Wellington sirloin or Somerset cheddar cheeses. The proposal, which costs 625 euros, is washed down with the best wines, Scottish smoked salmon and typical sweets manufactured by Fortnum and Mason itself, which defines the basket thus: “Appropriate to fill the stomach with all kinds of scrumptious products Scrumptious and wonderful treats, this picnic is truly fit for a king; from all kinds of food and sweets to luxury drinks and our exclusive Coronation products; This picnic basket is truly ready to be gobbled up by a family. Immerse yourself in cheeses, meats, crackers, olives, breads, brownies, tea pasta through our exclusive Coronation Champagne.
Sorprise in A Coruña
The news has taken even Bonilla a la Vista herself by surprise. From the factory they recognize that the British consume their potatoes like hotcakes, without losing a touch of exclusivity that the iconic can has surely carried within the also referential basket of F and M. “We have a very loyal clientele in London, who seeks a differential product; there is a perception of a luxury aperitif”, they comment as a possible explanation for the real picnic. “It was not our thing, but rather that of those in charge of making this pack to remember a historical moment,” they add.
The relationship between Bonilla a la Vista and the highest levels of the United Kingdom has been almost constant in recent years. During his time as mayor of London, Boris Johnson’s office never lacked a can of Bonilla a la Vista in his office. “And he shared it with his cabinet,” they say from the Coruña multinational.
More than three centuries of history
Founded in 1707 and established for centuries in the Piccadilly area, Fortnum and Mason has uninterruptedly maintained its Royal Warrant, a seal of quality granted by the crown, which recognizes it as the official supplier of the palace. In addition, it is considered one of the most important tea shops in the world.
The now iconic wicker hampers, the same as the coronation picnic, served Queen Victoria’s court and supplied British regiments in the Napoleonic and World Wars.
