Daniel Boulud's Picture-Perfect French Picnic

When chef extraordinaire Daniel Boulud treated us to the picnic to end all picnics in Central Park a few weeks ago, we ended up with way more plein air food porn than we knew what to do with. So here we are: More fun in the sun with America's fave Frenchman.
Alex Lau1/11Breaking Bread
Boulud doesn't truck with bread knives, at least not on a picnic—it's all about that tear-and-share baguette.
Alex Lau2/11Eat Your Veggies
Spicy breakfast radishes and bracing celery hearts accompanied by a cooling yogurt dip started the feast off on a light note.
Alex Lau3/11Between Two Slices
As a part of the "aperitif" portion of our afternoon, Boulud brought a "pain surprise"—a whole loaf of seeded wheat bread that, through some feat of culinary wizardry, had been gutted and filled with tiny smoked salmon and cream cheese finger sandwiches.
Alex Lau4/11Look Sharp
Like any chef worth his whites, Boulud arrived at our picnic with several of his own razor-sharp folding knives.
Alex Lau5/11DIY or Die
We brought a chef along to help style the shoot—the illustrious Gerardo Gonzalez of El Rey Coffee Bar and Luncheonette, no less—but Boulud isn't one to stand by and watch other people work. He dove right in and made sure everything looked proper.
Alex Lau6/11Salad Days
When it comes to picnic salads, the chef opts for sturdy vegetables that can stand to marinate without going all droopy. This salad of roasted beets and lightly steamed haricot verts with a simple red wine vinaigrette, crumbles of goat cheese, and candied pecans didn't mind a little sun one bit.
Alex Lau7/11"Water" Boy
I made sure the chef stayed hydrated with plenty of cold Provencal rosé.
Alex Lau8/11Winner, Winner
Cold roast chicken is one of Boulud's go-to picnic proteins. He likes to cook and carve the bird the night or morning before, and serve it with a herb-flecked mayonnaise fortified with the chicken's roasting juices.
Alex Lau9/11Peas, Please
Ditto for this spring pea and carrot salad, which was plated on top of—rather than tossed with—a bright pea pesto dressing.
Alex Lau10/11Sharing is Caring
When Boulud noticed that a ripe wheel on the cheese board was about to run all over the picnic blanket, he was quick to swipe it up...with a cheese straw...and hand it to me. #blessed
Alex Lau11/11Fin
May all picnics end with an outrageously beautiful apricot tart crowned with ACTUAL EFFING GOLD LEAF.