Tips for A Newport Picnic

We’re planning a Newport Picnic in August and need some tips on how to make it work well. Please give us some dos and don’ts.

–Jennifer, Providence, RI

When planning a Newport Picnic think about what guests will expect and surprise them. But at the same time make your picnic stress free by coming up with a short list of things guests can bring to contribute. As well as a long list for yourself. What should guests bring? At the very least, their own water for consumption.

Organize ahead of time, plan the menu and do the advance work.
Base the picnic food around a signature drink: Pimm’s cup, Dark & Stormy, Cosmopolitan and craft beer from a local brewery.
Even if you’re serving sandwiches or prepared food from a local eatery, pack colorful napkins, bamboo flatware and plates, tubs for ice, spices, salad dressing, and colorful tablecloths or light weight blankets.
Include prep tools for putting the picnic together: a sharp knife and cutting board, serving spoons, opener for bottles and cans, trash bags and paper towels for cleanup. Be safe about spoilage and take a thermometer for the coolers to keep track of the temperature of any salads with mayonnaise, egg dishes and meats.
Plan blankets for everyone to sit on and have a fully charged wireless speaker.
Text the location dropping a pin in a map app with the location.
Ask everyone to bring water, those with food allergies and restrictions should bring their own food.
Know who is bringing what.

Not everyone will want to eat at once, so keep it casual. Don’t stand on ceremony serving everyone with a sit down time, it’s a picnic. Let people help themselves as they arrive. Don’t over season because as hot food cools down its seasoning becomes saltier and in some cases more flavorful.

~Didi

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.