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How To Plan The Perfect Summer Picnic With Friends

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright  © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

This summer picnic article is sponsored by President’s Choice, all opinions remain my own. 


Planning a summer picnic with friends the right way

It’s that time of the year again where you wanna spend more time outside than inside to enjoy all the benefits summertime can bring. Personally, I love organizing picnic with friends. It’s always such a fun time to plan from A to Z. Food always bring people together, right?

That’s why I decided to share this summer picnic adventure with you and give you my best tips and tricks.

All the food and beverage in this article have been bought at my local Provigo.

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

Planning phase of the perfect summer picnic

Even though it might look very easy to throw a summer picnic with friends, it requires quite a bit of preparation and planning. It requires as much planning, if not more, than inviting people over for dinner at your place.


Picking a good picnic location

Choosing the right location for your picnic is crucial to its success. Is there picnic tables on location? Will you be eating on the ground? Will you have access to shade or is it full on sun all day long? Is there any access to water? These are all questions you should ask yourself when planning your perfect summer picnic.

Personally, I chose this specific location for that picnic because of the view and the fact there is plenty of picnic tables. I wanted my friends to have a memorable experience.

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

Also, many outdoor locations throughout major cities prohibit consumption of alcohol. Check out your your city website to abide with the local laws. For Montreal, I found the information here.

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

Choosing the right food and beverages for your summer picnic

First of all, ask your friends if they have any allergies or intolerances before doing any research for your menu. 

After you asked your friends if they have any allergies or intolerances, it’s time to plan what your guests will eat and drink. Finger food is always a good idea and since you’re gonna be in an outdoor setting, consider your guests might be standing, so a full meal you can only eat with a utensil is probably not a good idea.

You also want food that is going to be easy to prepare or assemble in an outdoor environnement. If you plan on making food that is a little bit harder to prepare in an outdoor environnement, prepare ahead of time at home and then assemble and serve on location.

If a grill is involved in your picnic, make sure you can use it at your picnic location. It’s good to have a second plan if you plan on using a grill, you never know what can happen: we arrived at our picnic location to find out our lighter didn’t work at all. Luckily, I had plenty of food that didn’t need any cooking that I could serve to my guests — we later relocated the picnic to one of the guests’ house to use the BBQ grill.

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

Our perfect summer picnic menu

I divided the menu in three: appetizers/snacks, main and dessert. I also added a beverage section to my menu planning.

Summer picnic appetizers

Nachos plate with axiany tomatoes, avocado on PC Lime & Habanero Chili Flavour Kettle Style Tortilla Chip

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

Crab canapé made with PC Chunk Crab Meat, mayo, sesame oil, sesame seeds, chive and a little bit of sriracha spice for a tiny kick.

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer picnic main

PC Thick & Juicy Beef Burgers on PC Brioche Buns with old cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and PC Smoky Bonfire Double-Smoked Bacon. Optional but very good: PC Not-So-Secret Spread and Dip

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

PC Garlic & Herb Grilling Raw Butterflied Shrimp

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Dessert for your summer picnic

What better way to end this fabulous picnic than with a scrumptious smores session on the grill? It’s easy and everyone loves it!

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

This one is a bit more tricky because it might be hard to keep it in its original shape throughout the picnic because of the heat, but these PC Superfruit Skyr Lactose-Free Icelandic-Style Yogurt Bars are so good.

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Beverages

Always have a good selection of beverages that will please everyone. I opted for a few favourites of mine:

PC Watermelon Lemon Naturally Flavoured Sparkling Soda

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

PC Sicilian Lemon Italian Soda & PC Tangerine Italian Soda

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

PC Cold Brew Nitro Black Coffee

Don’t be shy to tell your guests to bring their own alcohol if they want some.


Entertainment

Keeping your guests entertained throughout the picnic is a must. Bring a Bluetooth speaker, games, a frisbee and whatever floats your boat to have fun.


On picnic day

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

On your summer picnic day, make sure you have everything settled a few hours before leaving your house. I personally use the checklist feature in Notes app on my iPhone so I can keep track of what I have and what’s missing.

Be ready to deal with the unexpected. Really anything can happen from a malfunctioning BBQ grill to a rainstorm, be ready and have a second plan handy.

Enjoy your perfect summer picnic with your friends!

 

Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food - President's Choice - Choix du Président - Jeff On The Road - All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.
Summer Picnic — PC Insiders Collection — Collection Trouvailles PC — Food – President’s Choice – Choix du Président – Jeff On The Road – All photos are under Copyright © 2018 Jeff Frenette Photography / dezjeff. To use the photos, please contact me at dezjeff@me.com.

This article is sponsored by President’s Choice, all opinions remain my own. 


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