Perhaps you were on a romantic camping weekend for two and tried to win your way to someone’s heart through their stomach? Or maybe you were cooking for a group of camping buddies and the pressure was on? In spite of our vast differences as campers and caravanners, from those who prefer wild camping to those who embrace every camping related gadget with open arms, this one compulsion is common to a cross-section of the camping demographic. Be it over a fully gas-bottle fuelled super-tanker of a BBQ or over a twig-gathered, flint-lit camp-fire, perhaps on this very campsite
Dartmoor Shepherds Huts .Whatever the scenario, you may well have either knowingly or inadvertently been involved in a camping cook-off.
The aims? To pull off, with seemingly no effort, a near-as-damn-it 5 star cuisine experience whilst camping or caravanning, as if to prove that, in spite of the challenges, you have got it.
The rules:
• Plan and pack well in advance – ingredients, recipe, utensils - but tell no-one of this planning.
• Appear nonchalant at all times, as though you have given your camping cuisine absolutely no consideration whatsoever.
• Wear an apron. This should be kept, throughout the holiday, in a sealed waterproofed bag on a flat surface, to protect from creases or stains.
• Waft any good cooking smells in the direction of neighbouring campers and caravanners. If it is a still day, a battery-powered electric fan may be necessary. Top tip: pros, for this very reason, often check weather forecasts and take wind speed readings on arrival at a new campsite, in order to pitch their tent or park their motorhome just up-wind of other holiday makers.
• If the meal is going well and is sure to be a hit, casually invite your camping neighbour over on the pretext of asking them a camping or caravanning related question, ensuring that their path ‘accidentally’ crosses barbeque, stove or fire. Appear surprised if they comment on your efforts – What, this? Oh, it’s nothing…
• Make sure that there is one-portion more than required for your family or group, so that you may casually invite a bordering camper to share your creation.
• At all times, hold a glass of beer or wine in your non-cooking hand. The utensil should be made of real glass and be held in a relaxed grip, as camping cook-off pros use this hand to gesture and gesticulate, adding to their calm air.
• Finally, make sure that you take a snap of your masterpiece to post on your very own Campsite Chatter pinboard, in memory of your accomplishment.
Research shows that, on any campsite or touring site of more than 30 pitches, there are likely to be at least two people engaged at any one time in a camping cook-out.
Join us now on Campsite Chatter – it’s free and it will take you, literally, seconds to become a member.
