National Picnic Day: What Makes The Perfect Picnic?
“And as a kid you know you’re all day in the sun swimming in the pool or running around and you’re so hot and hungry when you’re drying off. And I remember my mom and grandma would come with food and it’s such a good memory; it’s one of those feel-good moments from my youth.”
Our favorite day of the year is finally here! It's National Picnic Day. The pop-up picnic business has boomed since the start of the pandemic and now the word “picnic” is becoming more associated with luxury than ever before. But where did the picnic tradition come from? And how did we go from the hot dogs and mac & cheese of our childhood to the fancy charcuterie board platters we see today? In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of the picnic and receive advice from food blogger Kailey Daniels on how to create the perfect picnic in San Diego to celebrate this wonderful day.
We’ve been enjoying food outside since the dawn of time but it wasn’t until the 18th century that the term “picnic” was coined. According to NPR, the original definition was similar to a potluck where groups of people would bring food to contribute to the feast but these events were mainly held inside. In the Victorian Era, they became grand affairs made up of the finest linens and food that the English upper class could afford. There was often music, dancing, and even gambling. History Today states that as the practice was taken up by the middle class, it became more casual and the activity moved outdoors. Once it reached America, popularity had grown so much that wicker baskets were beginning to be mass-produced to carry all of the meal.
When we think of picnics from our childhood we think of summertime, a red and white checkered blanket, and a tray of cold cuts. Picnics were a casual time for the family to enjoy food in the warmer months. Now, picnics are a luxury service you can pay for with styled setups and detailed platters of meats and cheeses in some of the country’s most beautiful parks, beaches, and deserts. Thanks to the pandemic, we’ve moved back to the Victorian Era where picnics have become a grand occasion to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and engagements. So what’s the secret to the perfect picnic? Is it the food, the setup, or the location? We sat down with Kailey Daniels to find out.
So Kailey, tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm originally from the Bay Area but I have been kind of all over. I went to Boston University and then spent some time abroad living in London, then New Orleans before ending up here in San Diego. I don’t come from a foodie family. My mom actually hated cooking so we would usually eat a meal on Sunday and then have it for leftovers for the rest of the week. But I think that really sparked my interest in cooking. I like watching shows on the Food Network like Iron Chef, Chopped, and Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. I’ve also taken some courses in French and Italian cooking but what I really love is eating out with people and finding out where the best places to eat in San Diego are.
Do you have any fond picnic memories?
I mean I've definitely gone to picnics and probably more so just because I live in San Diego. But growing up my grandparents had a membership at the local REC pool. And I remember, they had a barbecue and a bunch of picnic tables and we would eat bratwurst or barbecue chicken. And as a kid you know you're all day in the sun swimming in the pool or running around and you're so hot and hungry when you’re drying off. And I remember my mom and grandma would come with food and it's such a good memory; it's one of those feel-good moments from my youth.
Have any favorite picnic foods?
I love the macaroni salad my mom makes. That's the one thing she made really well, so I’ll give her that. We did bratwurst more than hot dogs but I do enjoy German hotdogs with cheese or broccoli stuffed inside. We'd also usually make this Asian cabbage salad and break up ramen noodles on top like croutons. Fruit salad is also one of my favorites, especially in the summertime and of course lemonade.
Why do you think food is such a big part of your life?
I guess I would describe myself as epicurean which basically means I love having the opportunity to try new things; I find it very exciting. I ended up going to hospitality school and now I sell food and beverage at hotels. A lot of that involves high-end dining and creating dining experiences that are memorable for guests and attendees so I’m always surrounded by food somehow.
Why did you decide to start blogging?
Me taking photos of food was just something I always did. I was always like “don’t touch that yet” to my friends when we were out. And then I thought, what if I just pursue this and get a good camera and actually start reviewing and writing posts about it. That was back in 2017 when I was mainly blogging for myself and my friends. I work in hospitality and hotels so last year when they were closed completely for several months, I decided to really take the time to try growing my following.
If you could create the perfect picnic in San Diego, what food would you pick up, where would you take it to, and who would you invite?
I don’t know if this is basic but one of my favorite places in the world is Trader Joe's. I would get some cheeses from Trader Joe's, maybe a baguette and some wine because that’s a classic pairing.
And then one of my favorite places in San Diego is the bakery Girard Gourmet in La Jolla. It’s almost like a deli. They make sandwiches and have items that they can warm up in the oven for you. You can get items like salmon and lasagna or cookies and croissants. I’m not afraid of mayo so I would grab chicken salad, tuna salad, and egg salad sandwiches which are very typical for traditional picnics.
And then for dessert, I would go to Azucar in Ocean Beach. They're my favorite bakery in all of San Diego. My favorite thing from there is the guava and cheese pastry. It's absolutely delicious, they have really good Cuban sandwiches and little meat pies. If you like sweets, their pastries and cakes are absolutely beautiful.
All those places have food that's easy to grab and take with you anywhere to eat. I would love to eat spaghetti at the beach but it's a little too messy. Then I would take the food to one of my favorite locations, Sunset Cliffs. I like to bring hammocks and go off to the side area where it's not super busy. I also like the Botanic Garden area at Balboa Park. It’s good for people watching or admiring the beautiful buildings. There’s also a lot of history there.
I would definitely invite all my girlfriends to the picnic. I have a really good girl group here in San Diego made up of some friends from high school and girls I’ve met here. It would just be a time for us all to relax, eat food, maybe get a little tipsy, and just be happy.
I think Kailey said right. It doesn’t matter how fancy your food might be, or how extravagant your setup is, a picnic can be a casual day at the park or a fancy occasion with a loved one. All that matters is that you enjoy the company you’re with and truly live in the moment.
So how are you spending #nationalpicnicday? Are you grabbing wine and cheese from Trader Joe's, ordering sandwiches from Girard Gourmet, or filling your basket with pastries from Azucar?
Comment down below and check out Kailey's blog for more recommendations on the best places to eat in San Diego!
