Epicurean food consists of luxurious — and yes, even sensual — bites. An Epicurean picnic is all about having fun, getting fancy, and leaving the cheese doodles at home (we promise you won’t miss them).

When it comes to Epicurean picnic foods, your options are nearly endless. That said, the most important thing to keep in mind during an epicurean picnic is to be as lavish as possible. Here, we highlight a few suggestions that will steer you in the right direction. 

  • Get comfy. Your picnic blanket has to be more than a sheet or beach towel. Get something soft and cozy to the touch. Washing machines were invented for grass stains, right?
  • It’s all in how you carry it: there’s no reason why the term picnic basket should be considered antiquated. Forget plastic bags and backpacks– make sure your goods are transported in a way that makes you eager to tear off the lid.
  • Wine? Why not. If you’re not in the mood for wine, substitute with champagne or even beer. The key point here isn’t expensive wine, but, rather, a fancy glass. Solo cups won’t do– drink any (and all) beverages out of something that will  have you feeling like royalty. 
  • Cheese. Such a simple, must-have for a picnic that can oh so simply go wrong in so many ways. Stick to quality. French and Dutch-made cheeses stimulate the palate with their every variety. Like with drinks, how you serve the cheese is just as important. Pack your best cutting board. 
  • Pâte works on its own for a regular picnic.  But for an Epicurean one? You need pâté’s best friends to unlock its full potential, and those friends include everything from crackers to cucumbers to toasts– anything and everything that can be smeared upon. Take our Alexian Crackers, smear them with a bit of pâté and place a sliced cucumber square right in the middle. Now that’s Epicurean in every sense of the word.
  • More to munch on: rillettes, dry cured meats like prosciutto or salami, baguette, fruits and pickled vegetables. 
  • Dessert. From chocolates to pie to homemade cannolis, the key here (and to much of what you eat) is that handcrafted is luxury unto itself.