It’s the perfect time of year for a picnic. Creating a great picnic doesn’t have to be intimidating. It can be done with ease. Here are some essential items that you will want to remember, where to shop for everything that you will need, a resource for places to go for your picnic and finally a delicious picnic menu that will wow your guests and is easy to put together.
Essential Items:
To begin with, you should create a picnic basket or cloth satchel loaded with the accoutrements you will need. Once created, this container can be kept ready in a closet or in the back of your car in preparation for subsequent outings.
Plates and Utensils – Bambu plates and utensils are attractive, functional, inexpensive and, best of all, both reusable and compostable.
A Sharp Cutting Knife – There is nothing worse than trying to cut meats, veggies and cheeses with one of those disposable white plastic knives with the serrated tip. Yuck! I like the small bright ceramic knives that come with their own sheath. Buy one, leave it in your picnic bag or basket and you will never be without. While you are at it, throw in an inexpensive corkscrew. No one likes to serve wine from a bottle with the cork pushed into it because someone forgot the corkscrew.
Cloth Napkins – Cloth napkins provide elegance and, of course, are reusable. Get them in bright colors.
Reusable Cups – Plastic cups don’t have to be cheap looking and disposable. Buy some inexpensive acrylic glasses from Crate & Barrel and make them a permanent part of your picnic accoutrements.
Sturdy Basket or Canvas Tote Bags – Avoid the last minute “convenience” of packing your picnic in the grocery bags it came in. Buy a sturdy basket or large canvas satchel from Land’s End or elsewhere. They’re attractive, reusable and can store all of your picnic essentials for next time.
Blanket for Sitting – I like to use a simple quilted pads that can be had from any storage or moving company such as U-Haul. Packing blankets have the advantage of being heavy, rugged and moisture resistant due to the plastic coating on one side. Role it up and tie it with an old belt.
Tablecloth – Large, colorful and cloth (not paper). Again, more elegant and reusable. Throw in some binder clips in case of wind to clip the tablecloth to the blanket which is heavier and less likely to blow away.
Additional Items – Depending on your picnic and where you’re going, you might also want to bring along the following: charcoal, serving utensils & platters, ice, garbage bags, a first aid kit, insect repellant, pillows, folding chairs, music and/or umbrellas.
Where to Shop:
First, think local whenever possible. Here are a few excellent markets that cater to local farmers and carry local products.
Where to Go:
Think about your community and the many parks and open spaces that are conducive to picnicking. The following link is a good resource for great spots within the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
One more thought on where to go, and this is important, always have a backup plan in case of in climate weather. The Bay Area is particularly susceptible to the whims of wind, rain, clouds, fog and other conditions that can ruin a picnic. Have a backup plan for where you will go and what you will do if conditions demand a change of venue. Many of the parks mentioned above feature protect areas or indoor locations to which you can retreat. Our family once had a fine picnic inside the carousal enclosure in Golden Gate Park. The important thing is to know ahead of time where you will go and then proceed with your picnic as if nothing had changed. Some great picnics have been moved from the backyard to the floor of the living room at short notice. After all, picnics are about friends and food no matter where you have it.
An Intimate Picnic Menu (4 – 6 people):
Accoutrements as listed above.
All of what follows can be purchased at the locations mentioned above. In some cases I have provided links to particular vendors who I enjoy.
• Roast Chicken (Bi Rite)
• Crudités (Bi Rite)
• Hummus, Baba Ghanouj, Romescu (Bi Rite)
• Pasta Salad (Bi Rite)
• Orange & Wild Fennel Salame, Mortadella (Boccalone)
• Selection of Northern California Cheeses (Cowgirl Creamery)
• Dried Fruits and Nuts (Bi Rite)
• Baguette (Acme Bread Company)
• Assorted Cookies (Boulettes Larder)
• Michael Recchiuti Chocolates ( Recchiuti Chocolates)
More Information:
For more information on planning the perfect picnic, watch the Taste Picnic Segment on ABC’s View from the Bay.
Resources for items seen on the Taste Picnic Segment on ABC’s View from the Bay:
• Red Canvas Picnic Tote Bag (Land’s End)
• Chilled Green Salad Bowl and Forks (Crate & Barrel Picnic Accessories)
• Yellow Stacked Bento Box (Crate & Barrel Picnic Accessories)
• Food Tent (Crate & Barrel Picnic Accessories)
