10 Tips for a Successful Labor Day Picnic
September 2, 2011
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Scottsdale
• 0 Comments
10 Tips for a Successful Labor Day Picnic
Cooking in Arizona often involves dining al fresco or outside. From patios to deck to picnics in the park eating outside is an Arizona tradition. And there are few better times for a picnic than Labor Day.
You can have a picnic on the spur of the moment or spend most of the summer planning anend of summer bash. But either way, these tips will help you get the most out of your Labor Day picnic this summer.
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Plan Carefully
Plan for food, guests, and weather. Late summer is notorious for surprise thunderstorms. Watch your local weather and have alternate plans ready.
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Location, Location, Location
Whether it’s your backyard, a local park, or an exotic out-of-the-way location, don’t assume that you can just show up, spread your blanket and have a picnic. You may need permits or to negotiate with other picnickers on busy holiday weekends.
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Keep Things Cool
Coolers, ice packs, and ice are a picnicker’s best friend. Keep your foods as cold as you can. Food borne illness spreading bacteria begins spreading at 40 degrees F.
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Finger Foods
Sandwiches, fried chicken, wraps, raw veggies, and other foods that don’t require plates, napkins, and other accouterments. They are also a lot easier to eat and clean up after.
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Keep It Simple
Don’t spend the whole day before your picnic preparing many different kinds of food. Concentrate on a few simple and delicious items. Don’t use your Le Cordon Bleu training to whip up fancy desserts or a savory Boeuf en Croute.
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Entertainment
Board games, Frisbees, cards, horseshoes, a football, or your old ball and glove will keep people moving and having fun.
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Hydrate
This is especially important if alcohol is being served. Have plenty of cold water available for all guests. It might be Labor Day, but it still gets pretty hot.
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Something Borrowed
Don’t spend too much on your picnic gear. Whatever your needs are, chances are that someone you know has what your looking for. Just be sure that they’re invited.
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Be Considerate
If you bring music, small children, or barking dogs, be aware of the other picnickers in your area and try to keep the noise to an acceptable level.
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Clean Up
Always clean up. Always. No matter where you are. Even if you are having your picnic catered, you are responsible to leave your picnic area as clean as or cleaner than you found it.
Keep it simple and stay flexible with your planning to ensure fun for you and your guests.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale offers culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs in Scottsdale, Arizona. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/Scottsdale for more information.
Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.chefs.edu/disclosures. Le Cordon Bleu® and the Le Cordon Bleu logo are registered trademarks of Career Education Corporation. Le Cordon Bleu cannot guarantee employment or salary. Credits earned are unlikely to transfer.