Follow these tips to curate the perfect basket for a summer picnic in Mumbai

Summer picnics in Mumbai carry their own kind of magic Sure the tropical sun and humidity can sometimes test your enthusiasm but donrsquot let that stop you from grabbing a blanket packing some snacks and claiming a quick escape in the cityIn a city where space is at a premium and there may not be any official picnic grounds it does offer plenty of leafy corners and breezy patches to make your own Whether you love unwinding under the shady trees of Hanging Gardens at Malabar Hills or you enjoy the coastal breeze of Madh Island and Gorai Beach messing with your hair you can always find your own lsquocoolrsquo against the lsquohotrsquo tropical sun rays Picnics offer an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of life Decadent offerings and essentials like a wellpacked cooler can make outings more fun PicFood SquareGo ahead find bliss in simple pleasures because no matter how humble the prep a picnic becomes a moment to slow down laugh share stories and enjoy the company of those around you After all summer doesnrsquot just have to be about the heat mdash it can be about making beautiful memories for lifeMake it olrsquo schoolMaska Bakery has a menu category called Bombay Picnic Treats Its founder Heena Punwani says ldquoI believe that food somehow tastes better on a picnic so its best to keep it simple and deliciousrdquoPunwani carries Sandwiches that are easy to eat and layered with fillings that will not turn the bread soggy Her Maska Kejriwal Babka already has chutney and cheese swirled in and is packed with flavour Small savoury pastries simple to serve and eat mdash croissants flaky puffs and small quiches Tea cakes without complicated frostings that would melt in the heat mdash lemon bundt marble tea cakes and madeleines are her favourites Cookies with a lot of texture are a great option for an easy picnic dessert mdash chocolate chunk cookies and the new Maska Bourbon biscuits are her top two choices Cold beverages like lemonade coldbrew coffee iced tea and prebatched cocktailsPunwanirsquos picnic essentialsA picnic blanket to sprawl onReusable or ecofriendly disposable utensils plates cups and napkinsA picnic cooler or an insulated bag with ice packs keeps your perishables fresh and your drinks cold especially in the summerSunscreen and hatsYour favourite beach readHeena PunwaniQuick advice Keep it fun and straightforward pack food in leakproof containers and carry trash bags to clean up after yoursquore done Donrsquot carry food that will spoil easily in the heat or that is too complicated or messy to eat and skip glass bottles or containers Include easytoeat snacks and refreshing drinks that donrsquot require much prep Avoid soggy ingredients in your sandwiches and salads Keep fried foods out of your basket they donrsquot travel well and can get soggy Say no to hot beverages mdash theyrsquoll lose appeal in the heatMake it cheesyCheese and crisp snacky bites go well togetherEleftheria Cheese recently launched its Summer Picnic Edition and we couldnrsquot resist learning more about its decadent new treats We spoke to founder Mausam Jotwani to get her take on the inspiration behind these summer delights the unique flavours and how Eleftheria Cheese is bringing a touch of luxury to picnics this season From creamy cheese blends to perfect pairings this new edition is set to elevate every picnic spreadJotwanirsquos picnic essentialsA wellinsulated iceboxCheese knives or a simple pocket knifePaper napkinsA bottle opener or corkscrew if yoursquore carrying drinksA large picnic mat or a light throwSPF sanitiser and trash bagsJotwani carriesSay cheese and pack some fruit to go with it right PicsElefteria Cheese A mix of fresh and aged cheeses mdash cheddar a nutty mountainstyle cheese a decadent Briestyle soft and creamy fromage blanc and even our Brunost which makes a great dessert cheese Fresh bread or crackers for cheeses and dips Seasonal fruits and preserves mdash all of which pair beautifully with cheese Some nostalgic Indian snacks or crunchies mdash like murukkuchakli khakra mathri Monaco biscuits and masala Lays mdash all work as fun carriers for cheeseMausam JotwaniQuick advice Besides an icebox a good hack is to freeze your water bottles juice boxes or drinks mdash they double as cold packs and chilled beverages Wrap cheeses in parchment instead of plastic so they can breathe Keep things simple preportioned and easy to eat mdash finger foods work best Use reusable containers mdash good for you and the planet donrsquot stress about making everything look lsquoaestheticrsquo Donrsquot overpack or bring foods that melt or wilt mdash skip fancy chocolates and overdressed saladsMake it classyPicFood SquareThe culinary director of Food Square Chef Sushil Multani feels that whether yoursquore basking under the sun or enjoying a breezy afternoon a wellcurated picnic is the perfect way to celebrate the season His favourite picnic memory is when they went out in Mashobra Shimla with his extended family ldquoIt was a mountain top overlooking the valley and we packed things like bagel sandwiches juices local fresh fruits and salads Some board games activities and music kept us occupiedrdquo His guide to creating the ultimate picnic experience includes blending delicious flavours and thoughtful essentials including a picnic basket of your favouritesPicsMaska BakeryMultani carries Refreshing sandwich that is light and vibrant Think tomato mozzarella sandwich with a hint of basil When packed well it keeps for two days Summer salad that includes a bowl of fresh citrus crisp leaves and perfectly roasted vegetables Carry the dressing on the side assemble it on site Veggie cruditeacutes and dips that includes colourful vegetables like cucumber carrots and bell peppers paired with creamy tangy dips for that perfect crunch Hummus and pita never goes wrong A bowl of velvety hummus with soft pita mdash satisfying and straightforward Cool refreshing drink like a chilled glass of watermelon ginger juice or iced kaffir lime lemonadeMultanirsquos picnic essentialsWellappointed picnic blanketReusable plates and cupsCooler or insulated bagSunblock and shadesLoads of ice in an insulated boxSushil MultaniQuick advice Opt for fresh light ingredients that hold up well without refrigerationatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params