Gourmet Picnic Baskets-the new style of eating outdoors

Imagine enjoying your favorite dish, a glass of wine in hand, a gourmet cheese plate in front of you, dabbing her mouth with a cloth napkin-designer print as you enjoy the company of your loved one. No, you're not that expensive restaurant-Centre you are enjoying the outdoors, sitting under the stars on a romantic look. Maybe you're at the beach, an isolated hill in wine country or a rooftop garden in the big city. Wherever you are, you're relaxed, happy and enjoying the finer things in life.

This is the kind of experience that can provide the next generation of picnic baskets gourmet baskets with dishes of excellent quality, custom accents, brass details and all the accoutrements of haute cuisine. Picnics are no longer on cotton percale, paper plates and easy finger food. You can now have a 4-star dining experience wherever you want-from a boat at a rose garden in a crowded city square into an exotic locale.

Picnic basket of today's gourmet is an impressive display of craftsmanship, aesthetics and attention to detail. Not only they contain full set of dishes, glasses, utensils, cloth napkins and tablecloths and insulated waterproof refrigerators; These high quality picnic baskets will also find extras like salt and pepper, detachable wine bottle coolers, mini cards and cheese knives, corkscrews and bottle caps of decorative wine. They're ideal for special occasions like honeymoons, anniversaries, dates and holidays as well as any time you want to enjoy a delicious meal ' al fresco '. Owning a gourmet picnic basket is always a real celebration-to-go; pack some food and drinks and you can have an impromptu party outside every time.

Some of these gourmet baskets also go to include real Crystal, Wedgwood fine bone china decorated with beautiful content and patterns created by renowned designer. Although some of these picnic baskets are certainly luxury, having a gourmet picnic basket is not out of reach of the average person-prices start around $ 50. Picnic baskets are available for any style or budget. Designs inspired from the Scottish highlands, the French Riviera, African Safari and Tuscan vineyards are just a sampling of the types of baskets available. You can also choose between different sets of numbers people, baskets that focus on a wine and cheese or coffee and tea picnics, and various themes like sports, baby, weddingand seasonal.

With all the different designs and price points available, you can find a gourmet picnic basket that is perfect for your needs and will always be ready for a delicious meal outdoor fun — whether it's a special event, a surprise for a loved one or a command option to enjoy an excellent location-style outdoor.

Stephanie Gottschalk writes the Blog ' Picnic Fun-tips and recipes ' (http://www.picnictips.com) it is joy of water fountains ' (http://www.waterfountainguide.com) for specialty Living Inc., a company based out of Asheville, North Carolina that aims to share their love of people, nature and life through water fountains high quality picnic baskets.

Picnic Accessories for the Gourmet Diner

Picnic accessories are available in many different styles and designs, and can even be bought in a gourmet range to spice up the day. Having a gourmet picnic is not as hard as people think, with some careful planning it can be a fantastic event. Although gourmet means different things to different people, the concept is very simple. Gourmet simply means a meal or ingredient of high quality, and fantastic presentation. Spending time to source the perfect foods, wine and accessories will guarantee the ideal gourmet picnic.

Gourmet picnics are ideal for romantic afternoons or family gatherings. Any occasion that calls for amazing food, in stunning settings will be a fantastic day. This style of picnic does not need to be expensive; however it does need to be well thought out. Although it may cost slightly more than the average picnic, the quality of the food and picnic accessories are worth it. The food that is selected is very important for this style of picnic. Gourmet signifies excellent food no matter where it is being served. Although the food is high quality it does not need to be difficult, often the simplest things are the best.

Cheeses, breads, salads, dips, meats, fruit and of course wine are all often seen in gourmet picnics. These are not difficult foods to find or prepare, however, they need to be the best. Finding simple yet classic foods is ideal olives; salmon and strong cheeses pack a lot of flavor and will ensure the picnic is remembered. Even simple sandwiches can be improved by the filling or bread being altered to something unusual and full of taste. As well as finding the ideal foods for the gourmet picnic the right picnic accessories are essential.

It will be a disaster having amazing food served on awful plates, and wine drunk from plastic or paper cups. It is the little touches that make all of the difference when trying to create the perfect picnic. Ensuring that the wine is served chilled is essential, freezing it the night before and allowing thawing naturally is ideal. Also taking ice packs will keep everything cool and fresh for your gourmet picnic. Serving the wine in glasses and the food on plates with silver wear is essential.

There are some great picnic accessories that will enable the whole dinner service to be bought in one set. Often these will come supplied in the perfect gourmet picnic basket. No picnic is complete without the ideal basket to serve everything from. These can be found in several different materials; however, wicker is very traditional and looks great.

A classic picnic blanket is also essential, and can create the finishing touches to the day. Often these will come supplied with the picnic basket, and if not they can be bought separately very easily. Once all of the picnic accessories have been bought, and the basket has been packed full of gourmet food and wine. The last thing to do is enjoy the day with great friends and family, experiencing gourmet food in amazing scenery. No matter what the budget is for the day s o much can be achieved with some imagination.

Nicole Roberts
At Think Picnic Stuff, you will discover an amazing selection of low priced and excellent quality picnic accessories.

Good Food For a Romantic Picnic

Planning a picnic usually means slapping together some sandwiches or frying up some chicken. But if you use a little imagination, it's easy to put together a picnic basket full of perfect food for a romantic picnic for two.

Antipasto: A selection of fine meats and little salads is a wonderful picnic basket food idea to enjoy a variety of tastes and textures. Italian salami, marinated artichokes, bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping, prosciutto, and cornichons all make great finger-foods that make it easy for a lazy afternoon of food grazing. You also have the added bonus of enjoying the intimacy of feeding each other.
Cheese - Always a favorite picnic food, a selection of fine cheese can create the perfect atmosphere for a romantic picnic. In addition to your favorites like sharp cheddar and brie, look for some unusual, new varieties like Spanish machengo or cabrales. Instead of Swiss cheese, try Jarlsberg. A great little cheese board and cheese knife make for a great serving platter, too.
Wine - What romantic picnic wouldn't include wine? Red wine is certainly popular for romance, but a picnic often includes lighter picnic food ideas that may be better suited to a white wine. A romantic picnic at a warm outdoor location makes white or rose wine a logical choice. Looking for real romance and a way to impress your partner? Try champagne. To avoid possibly breaking your fine wine glasses, can easily find nice looking and very serviceable plastic wine glasses, bringing that special element of elegance to your picnic.
Chocolate - Not only delicious, but research is growing that chocolate has actual aphrodisiac qualities. Don't just think of the standards like chocolate-covered cherries or a bar of Ghirardelli. Look for freshly made chocolate-covered strawberries, dark chocolate truffles dusted with high-quality cocoa powder, or even red velvet or Devil's food cake.
Fruit - Healthy and delicious, fresh fruit can be a great way to end a romantic picnic. Precut bite-sized portions of pineapple or fresh berries are great for sharing. Try some of the exotic fruits like star fruit, Asian pear or passion fruit that you can taste and experience for the first time together during your picnic.

Be a little unconventional and skip the standard cole slaw and potato salad in your picnic basket. Selecting your food items for a romantic picnic can be almost as much fun as the picnic itself.

Find out more about Food for A Romantic Picnic and visit http://www.AnythingGoesGourmet.com for reviews and news about gourmet food, cookware and wine.