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Eating Out: Pampas & Picnics offers a unique take on alfresco dining

Eating Out: Pampas & Picnics offers a unique take on alfresco dining
September 2021
WRITER: 

Not your average red-and-white checked tablecloth spread



Pampas & Picnic’s take on outdoor dining.

Think of Pampas & Picnics as your picnic fairy godmother: Owner Christine England sets up picturesque spreads in locations such as Breach Inlet, Patriot’s Point, and Waterfront Park, then whisks away the mess.

These aren’t your run-of-the-mill checkered blanket, wicker basket picnics. Picture perfectly arranged candles, cushions, and cutlery accented by plumes of pampas grass, which England says help marry her boho, California aesthetic with classic Lowcountry charm. In addition, she offers clients seasonal grazing boards and sparkling water, with the option to upgrade.

After moving to Charleston six years ago, England worked for a food magazine and then as a realtor. She’s also the creator of the popular Facebook page Lowcountry Eat Out!, which has 52,000 followers who post about their favorite local dining establishments. She says observing the creative solutions restaurants used during the pandemic inspired her to create the business earlier this year. As date nights and family dinners moved outdoors, she sought to find a unique way to bring people together. “The ultimate goal,” she says, “is to create a memorable, meaningful experience.”

While England prices her packages based on party size and location, she says every aspect is customizable and works with clients to help bring their vision to life, whether that includes picking up take-out from a favorite restaurant, ordering extra floral arrangements, or hiring a photographer. England says occasions range from date nights to birthdays to micro-weddings. “There’s no bad reason to have a picnic,” she says.