"Wargamer Food" Topic

What constitutes "wargamer food"? TMP link

Anything that doesn't leave a residue on a wargamer's fingers. Cheese cubes on a toothpick: pinch, nibble, flick, move a mini.

Cheese puffs are right out, though. link

Pretzels, safe, no residue, and even sort of healthy.

Cheese cubes, Bologna cubes or similar with toothpicks. Pretzels and similar that are not greasy, slimy, sticky, etc.

If you want to put out more goopy food, the gang can partake when opponent is moving or take a break for all to grab a bite to eat.

Similar with drinks. I cringe when I see people put a condensation covered soda or beer can on the somebody's tabletop.

If having drinks and snacks, be smart enough to supply coasters and napkins.

I had a rule of no drinks on the gaming table. One player said the can was empty so it shouldn't count. I still had him take a morale check on one of his unit.

Things that look like weapons and armor, and war related. A slice of pizza looks like an axehead, spaghetti and meatballs looks like the head of someone having received said axehead in the head.

A full pizza is a viking shield.
French fries are stakes, grapes are grapeshot (easy one)
Swedish meatballs in gravy is the results of camp dysentery.

Pineapple is a big grenade. While apples are old time iron hand grenades from the late 17th century.

Bread sticks are pikes.

You get the point.

Hardtack, salt cheese, and beer.

Soylent Green

Braunschweiger and muenster on dark rye with horseradish mustard.

… we usually eat in the kitchen away from the table. Occasionally, snacks, cookies, etc. Beverages must be on a coaster. We usually have extra space on the table that is not part of the board.

Pretzels only.

Pretzels and animal crackers…. dry but tasty, and don't leave you with greasy fingers.

The original link is in a context of post-game food. For that, I'd say "wargame food" is prepared food usually in bags and beverages in cans and disposable bottles, or delivered food, usually pizza. The trick is to hit the Three Wargame Food Groups
--sweet
--salty
--fat.
For game food, I agree that it shouldn't leave a residue on fingers, or on castings, and that drinks shouldn't be on the table. (I can deal with condensation, but spillage is inevitable.) A separate table or Weekend-style Munchie Pit is appropriate, with paper towels.

I recall years ago there was an article in one of the war-games magazines extolling cooking themed food for a wargaming day. Chicken chasseur for the French, beef Stroganov for the Russians etc. Has anyone managed to actually do this?

They did discuss the option of eating authentic rations but hard tack and ships biscuits (with or without realistic weevils) or MREs was thought to be pushing it a bit far.

Hmmmm, now what food goes with your own armies?

We do themed food occasionally.

MREs are a bad idea because they are obscenely high calories for a basically sedentary activity.

I did make Soylent Green crackers for the SG game, once.

I think it was in 1982 that Scott Bowden (Empire, and
the several editions thereof) hosted a gathering in
Fort Worth to intro/showcase the Empire rules.

The dinner for the first night was, IIRC, Chicken Marengo
while the second night's fare was Beef Wellington.

During a game – nothing. Lunch breaks at the Yarkshire Gamer's place – run to the local Chip shop.

C-Rats, MREs ?

Oh, Legion 4, don't torment me like that! I have vivid and fond memories of C-rat ham & eggs, pound cake with icing and John Wayne bars. They just can't be had.

You can't even get MRE dehydrated beef and pork patties any more. What's military cuisine coming to?

Oh yes ! We who have had such "fare" … well we know it is hard understand if you have not had "Beef with Spice Sauce", "Chicken or Turkey, boned", etc., etc., on a cold rainy night.

MREs were a welcomed replacement though. But who could pass up frozen Chicken al King. That you had to peel the foil off it. And eat it like an ice cream sandwich !

I do theme days. For example, Cowboys may see bacon & beans with biscuits. Not crazy, just in theme.

I concur with the thematic presentation in tune with the period being played. SPAM, cheese spread, crackers and instant coffee for GIs in WW2 games; weevily ship's biscuit, salt horse, and rum and lime juice for Age of Sail; brains, liverwurst, blutwurst, and Bloody Marys for zombie apocalypse games….

Rotundo sez: "I do theme days. For example, Cowboys may see bacon & beans with biscuits. Not crazy, just in theme."
Not crazy, until the "campfire scene" from "Blazing Saddles" is reenacted.

Liquid grain … also known as BEER.