BOOK REVIEW
MAX’S PICNIC BOOK Reviewed By Despina Mina
So, it seems fitting that I review Max’s Picnic Book for this latest issue of CIBARE. A little bit about the authors, Ben Benton and Max Halley - they met when Max was managing a restaurant in which Ben (a chef, a writer and consultant) was cooking and they became lifelong buddies. After working in lots of high-end, Michelin starred restaurants, 4
Max wanted something to call his own so he opened up ‘Max’s Sandwich Shop’ in Finsbury Park. Picture an informal restaurant disguised as a cosy café serving epic sandwiches and cocktails to match. When it came to writing the first book based on his shop, Max asked Ben to get on board. The book was a success and three years later the duo have struck again with Max’s Picnic Book. Before I even picked up this book, I’d started to scan eBay for the perfect wicker hamper and other traditional picnic paraphernalia. But then I read it and got lost in the fictional picnic stories. You know that game, “If you could invite anyone to your dinner party, living or dead, who would it be?” Max has come up with 16 bonkers picnic scenarios, with accompanying menus, each with their own fantasy guests - my personal fave is ‘An ‘Opportunity for Deliciousness’ Picnic’ hosted by Hunter Cibare Magazine
www.cibare.co.uk
PICTURE CREDITS: Despina Mina
Summer is upon us and no matter how unpredictable the British weather is, we all love to dine alfresco. Ever the optimists, we picture sitting outside with the sunlight coming through the trees, dappling our skin as the wind rustles the leaves. Ok, there’s a really good chance you forgot to bring an extra layer because there’s a nip in the air, and you’ve drunk too many cans of premixed gin and tonic and are now wondering where the public loos are - someone’s dog has trotted over and licked your sausage roll but hey, we love a picnic don’t we!
