Better U

Lisa Dupar’s Perfect Picnic Tips

Lisa Dupar Lisa Dupar is the owner of Lisa Dupar Catering and Pomegranate Bistro. She is an award-winning chef and has served Eastside and Seattle couples as well as big time celebrities like Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford. Find out more at duparandcompany.com.

Summer is near and picnic season is upon us. With that in mind, Chef Lisa Dupar has some great, quick-and-easy tips to make packing that picnic basket simple and effortless. Whether you are heading out of the office to the park, out to Chateau Ste. Michelle for a concert or perhaps to your own backyard for a rendezvous with friends, make it a day or night to remember with these guidelines

1.   Make sure you are using as many recyclable containers and serving pieces and utensils as possible. No sense having to make a lot of trash when you’re done. I really like biodegradable Veneerware bamboo plates, bowls and utensils from Whole Foods. They look great and are good for the environment. If you have your own tin plates, even better. Add some cloth napkins, a nice blanket and pack everything into a large basket or canvas tote.

2.   Plan your menu in advance. If you don’t have time to shop and cook, Pomegranate Bistro offers numerous items year-round for such occasions that hold up nicely even in warm weather, all under $10, and are easy to eat on your lap if a picnic table is not handy.

3.  Try to incorporate your venue into the theme of your menu. If you are going to a summer concert, perhaps you can make the meal flow with the music. It’s a great way to impress your guests and put some thought into the meal. For instance, if you are going to see Pink Martini perform at Chateau Ste. Michelle, you might want to bring pre-made martinis such as my Raspberry Martini.

4.   If grab-and-go is not your style but you still want to keep your picnic affordable, order an amazing more-elaborate spread from your local caterer. At Lisa Dupar Catering we have picnic to-go items such as fried chicken, coleslaw, corn on the cob, etc. starting at about $15.

5.  To accompany your lovely menu, I would recommend bringing a bottle of wine and some sparkling water. The wine is of course up to you and should complement your menu. Veneerware also makes biodegradable glasses and don’t forget a corkscrew or bottle opener if you are serving beer.

6.   Be sure to pack a large garbage bag in your picnic basket to make cleanup easier. Keep condiments on the side, such as tomatoes, avocado, mustard and mayo. This will prevent foods from turning mushy.

7.  To give your picnic that extra-special touch, bring some flowers to set the mood and perhaps a candle or two in a pot. This will enhance an evening.

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