Picnic Basket Insider

DEVILED EGGS The history of these popular party appetizers dates back to ancient Rome. Back then, deviled eggs were served to the wealthy as the first course of the meal. They became so popular that the Romans coined a saying, ab ovo usque ad mala, which means “from eggs to apples”—from the beginning to the end of the meal.

SANDWICHES The fourth Earl of Sandwich can take credit for popularizing the handheld lunch staple. John Montagu was a bit of a card shark, and asked his chef to create a meal he could eat while playing a few hands. He chowed on the creation so much that it grew popular in London society circles, where people began referring to it after the earl himself.