20 Things Chefs Bring to Outdoor Gatherings

Here's your summer starter pack for dining alfresco.

Summer is the time to dine alfresco, whether it be beneath a shady tree in a park, on a warm, sandy beach, or on top of a mountain. And no matter the location, outdoor gatherings are completely customizable — almost intimidatingly so. What will you sit on? How will you keep your drinks icy cold? What cured meat goes with what cheese? To help you narrow down your options (so your afternoon in the sun doesn’t become a logistical nightmare), we asked professional chefs to help select these garden party essentials.

Outdoor dining equipment

Picnic Time Vista Outdoor Picnic Blanket and Tote

“I am always packing my Picnic Time blanket because it folds and zips up and can be stored tightly and nicely!” — Edy Massih, Edy’s Grocer, Brooklyn

To buy: $33 at picnictime.com

Briut Essentials Bamboo Silverware Set

“I love these bamboo utensils — especially the chopsticks. They are perfect to use for grilling.” —Melissa Miranda, Musang, Seattle

To buy: $11 at briutessentials.com

Nomad Grill & Smoker

“If you want to cook something a little bit more substantial to eat, go with a portable grill. This isn't your regular-sized grill, but a miniature one that will get the job done.” — Matt Horn, Horn Barbecue, Oakland, California

To buy: $649 at nomadgrills.com

Related: The Best Grills for Every Outdoor Setup, According to Our Tests

Kotaigrill 812 Hibachi Grill

"If I'm grilling, I will bust out my Kotai hibachi grill. It's heavy but if we're grilling, I go all out. Match it with some great binchotan and we are ready to rock." — Carlo Lamagna, Magna Kusina, Portland, Oregon

To buy: $625 at kotaigrill.com

Epicurean Kitchen Series Board

“Epicurean cutting boards are excellent for outdoor gatherings because they are relatively lightweight but are also super durable. You can throw them in the dishwasher and they won’t warp.” — Katie Button, Cúrate, Asheville, North Carolina

To buy: one 8-by-6-inch cutting board, $16 at epicureanusa.com

Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler

“My Yeti cooler on wheels holds so much, is easy to transport, and doubles as a handy snack and drink tabletop. I live a few blocks from the park and this just wheels down the sidewalk with ease.” — Caroline Schiff, Gage & Tollner, Brooklyn

To buy: $450 at yeti.com

Related: The 8 Best Coolers for All Your Chilling Purposes

PackIt Freezable Wine Cooler Bags

"I love PackIt freezable wine bags. They're great for transporting Champagne (my outdoor beverage of choice) and for chilling bottles that need to be cooled before enjoying. They're insulated so they stay cold for a long time, and a little padding makes sure the bottles are safe." — Adrienne Cheatham, SundayBest, New York City

To buy: $20 at packit.com

Garden party drinks

Albet I Noya Petit Albet

“If you are going more economical, I like the Petit Albet rosé of Cava — it's not only refreshing, but it also has amazing depth and complexity. Made in the same method as Champagne, this sparkling rosé offers the same nuances of toasted brioche and strawberry preserves that you'd find in higher-end rosé Champagnes but at a fraction of the cost. The fine, tightly grouped bubbles are luxurious in nature, and the crisp acidity makes it easy to enjoy with a wide variety of foods or on its own on a hot summer’s day.” — Chris Curren, The Graceful Ordinary, St. Charles, Illinois

To buy: one bottle Brut Rose, $20 at wine.com

Ventura Spirits Angeleno Spritz

“One of the best spritz cocktails I’ve ever tasted is the Angeleno Spritz with amaro and grapefruit. I pair it with blood orange.” — Suzanne Tracht, Jar, Los Angeles

To buy: six-pack, $20 at venturaspirits.com

Empirical Spirits Can 01 and Can 02

“The Empirical Cans are amazing. I love Can 01, which has oolong tea, toasted birch, and gooseberry, but if you want something a bit more sweet and tart, Can 02’s sour cherry flavor is great.” — Kevin Fink, Emmer & Rye, Austin

To buy: four-pack, $36 at us.empirical.co

Wandering Barman Cocktails

"Outdoor gathering essentials are easy and delicious! Everything should be served at room temp or cold, and handheld options are best. I love the Wandering Barman cocktails, especially their FOMO, with vodka, pineapple, turmeric, and hatch green chile." — Dale Talde, Goosefeather, Tarrytown, New York

To buy: FOMO, $6 at wanderingbarman.com

Màkku Original Pack

"Makgeolli is my favorite thing to take to an outdoor gathering. Wine is too heavy, and I'm not big on beer, and this lightly effervescent Korean drink is easy to pack and keep cool. My favorite makgeolli is actually by a Korean American company called Màkku. It is unfiltered and all-natural — just about 6% alcohol — as makgeolli should be. It's great with kimbap, the Korean staple of rice rolls, but it is also wonderful with cheese and salami or a simple sandwich of jamon and butter. Even though they have a few flavored ones, we like the original the best because it is the most traditional and you can really taste the rice without the added sweetness of fruit. It will get you just the right amount of tipsy to enjoy the summer breeze and relax with friends." — Ji Hye Kim, Miss Kim, Ann Arbor, Michigan

To buy: four-pack, $17 at drinksool.com

Related: A Drink That Dates Back 2,000 Years Is Making a Comeback Thanks to One Woman

Outdoor snacks for hot weather

Olympia Provisions Finocchiona and Chorizo Andalucia

“When put together, Portland, Oregon–based Olympia Provisions’ finocchiona and chorizo Andalucia just hit all the senses.” — Nick Zocco, Urban Hill, Salt Lake City

To buy: one salame, $15 at olympiaprovisions.com; one sausage, $15 at olympiaprovisions.com

Cubed Mortadella

“Any excellent quality charcuterie is always welcome, but I find mortadella to be the most delicious, especially when it's diced in one-inch cubes. It is satisfying in the way that thinly sliced meats are not. It's especially nice on a summer day — it warms slightly and becomes softer, a result of the emulsified pork fat melting.” — Chris and Pam Willis, Pammy’s, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Related: The Best Butcher Shops and Meat Markets in America

Original Cajun Caviar

“If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll bring some Cajun Caviar and Zapp’s potato chips. Louisiana Caviar Company produces the porch-pounders of the caviar world.” — Nina Compton, Compère Lapin, New Orleans

To buy: three-pack of 1.25-ounce jars, $90 at cajuncaviar.com

Epi Baguette

“I always bring a nice loaf of bread that is easy to tear apart and share, versus having to slice it, like an epi baguette or ciabatta.” — Melissa Perello, Octavia, San Francisco

Related: The Best Bread in Every State

Point Reyes TomaRashi

“TomaRashi is a firm cow-milk cheese that has the Japanese spice blend, shichimi togarashi, incorporated throughout the wheel. It reminds me a lot of a Japanese-style Pepper Jack. It's a perfect melting cheese — it can be kept at room temperature and can also withstand the summer heat. Bring some rice or nori crackers and you have yourself a California-Japanese snack.” — Gaby Maeda, State Bird Provisions, San Francisco

To buy: three 6-ounce wedges, $40 at pointreyescheese.com

Comté cheese

"I love hard cheeses and Comté is one of my favorites, regardless of the season. It doesn't get super melty, but any aged cheese is good for the outdoors.
— Leigh Omilinksy, Daisies, Chicago

Mumgry Pistachio Chocolate Almond Butter

“I love a PB&J sandwich. Mumgry makes amazing natural peanut butter, and their Pistachio Chocolate Almond Butter is fantastic. They are smooth and contain no added oil or salt, and unlike many natural butters, they never separate, making them easy to spread.” — Rob Rubba, Oyster Oyster, Washington, D.C.

To buy: $20 at mumgry.com

Tuna Onigiri

I'm a huge, huge fan of Haruki Murakami's books, and a lot of his characters snack on rice balls. I'm kind of in love with them. They are perfect for outdoor meals — they travel well and you can eat them at room temperature. In the summer, I like to head over to either H Mart or a market in Chicago called Joong Boo and pick up some rice balls with fresh tuna inside, as well as a side of seaweed salad and Japanese-style potato salad. — Paul Kahan, One Off Hospitality, Chicago

Related: The Best Chef-Loved Essentials for Outdoor Entertaining

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