Picnic History

The history of picnic is just as colorful as the picnic itself. The first documented appearance of the term picnic outside the French language occurred in 1748, in England. By the early 1800's, a well know writer considered to be the most famous culinary expert of her day, the venerable Mrs. Beeton wrote an epic titled; The Book of Household Management. In one chapter on picnics it stated that a proper picnic should consist of thirty-five different dishes! The concept of the classic British picnic became increasingly popular during the reign of Queen Victoria (1819 -1901). It was considered a most fashionable summer pastime. It was quite normal for the quality of food and service at a Victorian picnic to be as good as that which was enjoyed at home with a little help from their servants. These picnics were often extremely civilized, offering a wide variety of foods from cured and cooked meats, terrines, pates, game, salads, roasted poultry, mincemeat pies, plums cakes and pastries to lobster and shellfish served with fresh vegetable salads followed by desserts such as tarts, cakes, English scones and seasonal summer fruits. This picnic would be all accompanied with aperitifs, champagne and wine and finished with a classic cup of tea.   The tradition of picnics in America can be found in print as early as 1892 when Ella Eaton Kellogg wrote Science in the Kitchen, in it is a section with recipes called Picnic Dinners. 1879 when the people of Hancock, New Hampshire began what started as a family picnic in 1879 but has grown into a picnic that includes the whole town and anyone who has ever lived there! Today, invitations are sent out across the country to relatives and New Hampshire descendants to return for the statewide celebration. In 1899, New Hampshire Governor Frank Rollins made Old Home Day a state holiday for picnics. In America picnicking has become an integral part of our culture due to the flexibility, convenience and fun. Now, on a beautiful day in a park or garden, at the beach, in the mountains or by a river we can picnic in comfort with all the modern advantages offered by items such as picnic backpack, picnic basket and picnic wine cooler with insulated compartments, plastic containers, vacuum flask and rolling picnic cooler to assist in preserving and carrying our food and drink.   Take a simple trip to the nearest place you like to have a romantic picnic with the simple addition of a picnic basket, picnic backpack, wine cooler or a BBQ tool set. Turn your picnic into a memorable occasion with a wine cooler tote or a picnic table with a picnic umbrella. If it's a large gathering in the park or on the lake or seashore bring several picnic coolers, more than one picnic backpack and picnic table to set the mood. Home :: Accessories :: Picnic Articles :: Picnic Backpacks :: Picnic Baskets :: BBQ Supplies :: Gardening Tools : Gourmet Gift Baskets :: Pet Lovers :: Picnic Leather Products :: New Picnic Products :: Picnic Ideas/Recipes :: Platinum Picnic Products :: Rolling Picnic Products :: Tools :: Picnic Totes :: Sitemap Wine and Cheese Home :: Articles :: Picnic Baskets :: Sitemap