Picnic culture varies from country to country, but one non negotiable we can all agree on is eating in nature with good company.
There’s something about indulging and imbibing in the great outdoors. A sense of innocent contentment, partaking in the simplest of pleasures. Breathing in the fresh air, bare feet touching the ground, feeling the earth’s energy pulse. A sense of recharge. It just makes food taste better, no matter what it is. These days, we have been forced to slow down and return to fuss free fellowship with one another. Picnics evoke a “perpetual appeal” across nationalities. All that is needed is good weather and figuring out what to eat while dining alfresco in the most relaxed sense.
Picnics are a democratic form of entertainment, but it was not always the case that the picnic was for all. It originated as the preserve of the 16th century leisurely elite In France who carried their own wine to dine outdoors. The word stems from the French word ‘pique nique’ which roughly translates ‘to pick at’. It spread to neighbouring Britain and ever since to other countries over the centuries until it is now a popular summertime activity or whenever the weather is suitable. I have certainly participated in mild early autumnal picnics and late spring ones.
Picnic culture varies from country to country and some nations have specific days where picnics are central to entertainment. In Australia, for instance, there is an actual National Picnic Day. It is celebrated annually on the first Monday of August. In Japan, people picnic under the stunning cherry blossom trees at the height of their famous spring season. The Finns celebrate May Day with herrings and schnapps. Mexicans carry picnics to the gravesites of their loved ones for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead to honour the souls who have passed on).
The universal appeal of the picnic is in its inherent flexibility. Will it be a grand preplanned affair with plenteous grub such as fried chicken, ribs, kebabs, potato salad and the works or merely grabbing a fuss free sandwich to go with a side of potato crisps on a whim and finding a spot of grass to catch up with a friend? Are you going to host the entire thing or is it a potluck where every individual contributes a dish and drink? A picnic can be anything and anywhere you want it to be. A park, a beach, by the riverside or on your own lawn. At your most relaxed self, the conversation flows and the charm of a beautiful day can infuse your day with joy.
To this day, I love working up an appetite running in wide-open spaces to catch a frisbee.
There are no rules to how one should act at a picnic. You can stuff your face and just lie down and soak up the sun, leisurely munch while reading a book or work off the calories with a long walk afterwards or play games. For me personally, in a large group setting, a picnic without games, feel incomplete. When my brother and I were little, our parents would bring knick knacks and frisbees for us to play with. To this day, I love working up an appetite running in wide open spaces to catch a frisbee. In France, I often played Kubb with my Swedish friend Cecilia and her colleagues from the Swedish Cultural Centre after work. We would meet up on the Champs des Mars. They nicknamed the game “Viking chess”. They would be fiercely competitive. I have fond memories playing with them on summer evenings when it doesn’t turn dark until late. I would return to my tiny flat feeling flushed and happy.
Lately, my go-to picnic spots in Jamaica are at Holywell National Park up in the Blue Mountains, the Hope Botanical Gardens, a secret river spot in the countryside or staying at home on my lawn now that I have sorted out the garden. On extra hot, lazy days, I prefer to assemble no-fuss treats, some precooked in advance or other items store-bought with no cooking required. Bread, nuts, cheeses, in-season fresh fruit, salads, chips and dips. For a sweet treat, cookies or brownies. I do not need anything fancy to be happy.
Picnic Tips:
- Location, location, location! Pick the right spot. Are you going with a group of friends, will it be romantic or family-friendly? Ambience is key and can help you plan food choices as well.
- Picnic baskets are a great investment and often contain reusable plate ware, glassware and cutlery. Perfect if you are “green-minded”. They help eliminate the usage of single-use items. If you do not have one, carry as much reusables as you possibly can or at least non plastic biodegradable items and figure out transport logistics.
- Prepare a practical checklist of the best way to carry your food and drink. Utensils, containers such as appropriate Tupperware, coolers, kitchen towels, cutting boards, and anything else to make your picnic run smoothly.
- Essentials for cleaning purposes. Wipes, napkins, and garbage bags for refuse.
- Carry insect spray. You are invading their turf.
- Soaking up vitamin D in sunlight and breathing in fresh air is vital for health, but don’t ruin your day with sunburn. Carry hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. If you can, set up your picnic in a shaded area.
- Bring enough blankets for both people and food.
- Ice and lots of water, both drinking and for cleaning up if where you are heading is off the beaten path and has no facilities.
Cheers to good old fashioned picnics!
Foodie Love,
JuicyChef xoxo
Jacqui ‘JuicyChef’ Sinclair, founder of Nyam & Trod, is a British Jamaican award-winning chef, writer, and food culturist. She is a co-founder of Kingston Kitchen, an annual food event supporting food artisans. Jacqui has been an advocate of the Meatless Monday Global movement in Jamaica since 2011. Jacqui’s work has been featured in such publications as the Huffington Post, the Jamaica Observer, Saveur, The Jewish Post and numerous blogs. She has appeared on the Travel Channel’s ‘Bizarre Foods’ with Andrew Zimmern and Food & Wine’s Jamaica episode with Kwame Onwuachi.