I care deeply about creating food experiences that feel generous, thoughtfully considered, and worth gathering around. I also know that not every offering can fit every budget, and I have been thinking carefully about how to create a more approachable entry point. 

These picnic baskets came from wanting to create a smaller, more approachable doorway into the world I am building with In/Context: seasonal food, considered details, local ingredients where possible, and hospitality that lets you relax into the moment.

They are not meant to replace a supper club or a private dining experience. They are their own kind of offering — slower, simpler, and made to be taken somewhere beautiful.

Everything is already considered

The idea is simple: you pick up the basket, take it somewhere lovely, and everything you need is already there. No scrambling for a knife, no forgotten spoons, no last minute stop for something to pour your drinks into at the gas station.  The details have already been considered. 

And the food? Well, I thought of that too. The assortment of cheeses and meats is Ontario-sourced, with dips I have created  to complement them. The charcuterie is designed for exploring — mixing, matching, and finding the perfect bite. The salad is made with fresh local ingredients, focused on produce in season, and dessert offers a light ending that delights more than just your taste buds. Because we do not only eat with our mouths; we eat with our eyes, our noses, and the whole feeling of a moment too.- which is why I enjoy designing it so much!  I have also been working on finding a drink that feels just right for the occasion, giving the picnic a more elevated feel. It is all there, and it is all delicious. 

Our first basket

This past weekend I was able to share my first picnic basket with a friend and her husband for our photoshoot. I knew the experience was going to be weird for them- being filmed while they ate- but I also wanted to know whether the food and the little elements worked together. Could the food experience still be meaningful in this context?

I can honestly say that I think it did. 

From the first reveal of the food, they were in. Photography delayed the eating a little, as photography tends to do, but that first bite still gave me the reaction of awe that I was looking for. They were hesitant to eat too fast- because they knew we needed shots of different stages in the process- but they wanted to. The noises of pure enjoyment still showed up on multiple occasions from the pickled carrots to the seasonal salad and finally the oversized bites they had to take for the dessert. I will admit I do enjoy a good ‘oh, let me get that off your face’ touch moment, and my desserts did just that! They were thrilled with the food, which makes me confident you will be too. 

It assured me that this little creation is very much in line with the kind of experience I want to offer: food that feels generous, thoughtful, a little beautiful, and easy to settle into.

I am so grateful to them for their patience, their trust, and their very enthusiastic bites.

And I am excited to finally begin sharing these baskets with you.