What does one bring to eat and drink at a polo match in South Africa?

Pimms Cup on tap for my Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration

Now that polo season is here in South Africa, the question is what should we bring for our bankside tailgate for the BMW International Polo Match on Sunday? We could do it up British style with Pimms Cup, which is more or less fruit (strawberries, oranges, lemons and limes) soaked in a combination of Pimms, lemonade, lemon-lime soda and / or ginger ale, and garnished with cucumber and mint. Pimms Cup is so closely linked with polo there is actually a Pimms Book of Polo. (I have it!) Savory tea sandwiches with strawberries and cream for dessert.

under the Widow's tent at Liberty State Park in 2012

Or we could bring a bottle of champagne too while we’re at it. Veuve Clicquot has their own polo tournament in both England and in the US, including New Jersey at Liberty State Park so there is clearly precedent. Lobster rolls, club sandwiches and quiches for tailgating. Toll house chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

Harvard vs Cornell in RI

On the completely opposite end of the spectrum, the New England Ivy League collegiate polo matches we've been to seemed to be all about beer. Nothing much beyond chips and dips for food either. But there were brownies for dessert.

Since Argentina is the polo capital of the world, we could always go Argentine style with an Asado. Grilled  beef and / or lamb, Argentine chorizo and morcilla (blood sausage). A toasted baguette, and salad for the vegetarians please. That's alot of meat! Preferred beverages in Argentina are Quilmes (Argentine beer) and Malbec.





And speaking of wine, there are many labels produced by polo players themselves in the USA. There are number of fantastic choices from California such as Bilo Zarif’s Summerland Pinot Noirs, Tom Barrack’s Happy Canyon Bordeaux style blends, and from Robert Mondavi’s Folio Wine Company, the I’M Rosé.

In the end, since we would be in South Africa watching the South African National Polo Team play the USA, we compromised. We chose a suite of South African Malbecs to drink and for food, we decided to go all-American with Deviled Eggs,  Southern Fried Chicken, and Potato Salad with a fresh Fruit Salad for dessert.

southern fried chicken, potato salad, deviled eggs

fresh fruit salad and plenty of Malbec!

Go USA! Go South Africa!