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| I don't know about you but I look back at the picnics of my childhood with fondness, almost in a sort of soft focus haze. No matter that we probbly eat potted sandwich spread and blue ribbon chocolate wafers washed down with Squash from a plastic beaker (all done whilst trying to find a comfortable spot and swatting off wasps). For me, picnics still epitomise all that is good about an English summer. But, with the British summer what it is, picnics are becoming more and innovative say the exceedinly nice people at Mr Kipling. The earliest picnics were organised as hunting, shooting and fishing parties and they’ve always been a stalwart family summer tradition. But times are changing and Jane Pettigrew, author of all you need to know book, The Picnic, has joined forces with Mr Kipling to identify these new generation picnics and advise how to avoid rained off disasters: The Virtual Picnic “In an age where many families are hundreds of miles apart and webcams are more commonly used than pen and paper, many people are enjoying virtual picnics. It’s a bit of fun but many ex-pats miss the food from home and, believe it or not, the English summer! Send guests an email invite and spend some time thinking about those great British products they’ll be missing. Stock up on favourites like Mr Kipling Cherry Bakewells - okay, so they won’t be able to eat the treats from home but just showcasing them makes for a really fun occasion.” The Carpet Picnic “Take out the one thing that troubles us all when planning a picnic – the weather! Carpet Picnics are a really fun way of enjoying all the pleasures of a picnic without any risk of being washed out. Lay out a picnic rug with cushions for a relaxed feel or make it fancy by laying out proper place settings. My favourite is to create an afternoon tea picnic with my friends, which is simple as anything. Try Mr Kipling’s beautiful Viennese Whirls and Angel Slices to make even the prettiest cake shop jealous and certain to raise a smile on the rainiest day.” Office Lunchtime Picnic “When picnics originated, each person brought a dish which corresponded to a numbered ticket. This is a great way to create a quick picnic at lunchtime with work colleagues. At the beginning of the week write out a selection of foods that you all like on pieces of paper – put in a hat and pick them out. Each person is then responsible to bring that food along for a lunchtime picnic on the appointed day (might be better). So they’ll be no fighting over whether to get Mr Kipling’s French Fancies or Jam Tarts – its great variety for minimal effort.” Urban Picnic “Picnics are traditionally a countryside pursuit, but there’s nothing to stop townies creating one in unique urban style. There are some fantastic urban areas that you probably haven’t thought of as great potential picnic locations – how about the London Eye or under a canopy at Spitalfields Market? Take a look at local city guides for some inspiring places to visit. There’s something thrilling about creating a picnic outside the norm. New Mr Kipling Cake Bites are delicious individual morsels of cake perfect for when you’re not sure where you’re going to end up. There’s nothing for you to prepare - simply open the box and enjoy.” And, with picnics in mind Mr Kipling have brought out these great bite-sized cakes in great little boxes perfect for picnics. Choose from: Caramel – vanilla and chocolate sponge with a yummy toffee sauce filling and toffee flavoured coating, with a caramel crunch topping Lemon - pastry based lemon sponge with a zesty lemon filling and a delicious white vanilla flavoured coating, sprinkled with crunchy lemon pieces Strawberry & Vanilla – delicious strawberry and vanilla sponge with a yoghurt coating, sprinkled with strawberry crunch pieces Or just indulge with all three! Picnic Facts: * The work picnic derives from the French pique-nique – a term that marries piquer (meaning to nibble or peck at) with nique (a small trifle). * One of the first outdoor meals to be recorded was chronicled by Reginald of Durham, who described the life of a group of monks from Lindisfarne in the 8th century travelling with St Cuthbert’s body. Wherever they stopped for rest, crowds would gather to pay respects with gifts of bread and cheese. * The first picnics were organised by presenting each guest with a number against a specific dish which they were then obliged to bring; the term gradually acquired specific associations with alfresco eating. * For the Victorians, the term ‘picnickery and nicknackery’ signified something frivolous and even a little risqué – but the picnic itself represented escape. |
| Posted: 11/07/2008 12:27:53 Last Updated: 11/07/2008 12:57:29 |
Chick Lit > Gourmet Chicks :: The New Picnic