Pack a picnic

Special events usually mean photographic sessions, celebratory drinks, and if you’re organised, a few delicious canapes.

Engagements, birthdays, anniversaries often call for photo shoots, meaning the participants may disappear for more than an hour to have photographs taken. While guests are usually catered for with food and drink during that time, spare a thought for those under the camera lens.

A special goodie picnic basket with wine and nibbles will help the time pass quicker, and do away with grumbling tums. It might also make a perfect photo prop.

Of course, any time is a good time for a picnic. A sunny day, a romantic date, school holidays, a country walk, take your pick and pack your picnic.

In times past, most families had a wicker picnic basket, and although many of those have now been replaced by chilly bins, there’s still something lovely about taking the time to pack a picnic basket. Glasses, china plates and real cutlery add to the occasion.

Here are some suggestions:
SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY
A blanket, a beach, some bubbly (or beer), scented candles, and fine food. Roast chicken, coleslaw, and potato salad are easily transported, as is cheesecake for dessert.
FRENCH TAKEAWAYS
A selection of cheeses, salami, pate, olives, grapes, and a crusty French stick, along with your favourite red or white wine. Add some easy listen café-style jazz and enjoy.
AMERICAN STYLE
Buffalo wings, ranch slaw, potato salad, pasta salad, watermelon, devilled eggs, lemonade, and stuff to make sandwiches, like cold cuts, cheese slices, and bread. Finish it off with a slice of apple pie.
BEST OF BRITISH
An average British picnic involves going with friends to a sunny outdoor space, such as a park or beach, to eat, drink and socialise. Picnic food tends to be cold dishes such as Scotch eggs, sausage pies, salads, sandwiches, crisps, and in quiche, washed down with Pimms or lemonade.

DID YOU KNOW?

The word picnic is actually French ‘pique-nique’, which means eating outdoors.