DIY Charcuterie Board
There is no one magic formula for a great charcuterie board. In general it should have a mix of sweet, salty, crunchy, fruity and rich. So think contrasting flavors, textures and shapes. Smooth c...
The Picnic Project
Glorious settings, comfy seating, and gourmet food, ready and waiting
Picnics sound great in theory. If you have the perfect setting (lush greenery with a view of the sunset), great food, comfortable seating, cold wine (with an opener), candles, bug spray, and a way to schlep it all there. Tired, yet? Enter The Picnic Project, by Edible Nashville's own Events Director, Nora Melton. Nora's picnics are what dreams are made of. She went to school in Chicago and spent time in Los Angeles, which is where she happened upon the portable picnic idea. "People were doing these picnics on the beach and I thought, we have beautiful rolling hills, so why not bring this to Tennessee?"
As the stylist for our farm dinners, Nora revels in combing antique stores and estate sales for the perfect vintage glass or candle holder. No detail goes unnoticed. The food is created by Chef Skylar Bush who creates seasonal fare such as Curried Lime Corn Salad and Watermelon Planks with St Germain. The plates are by local potter Rachel Vandivort of RV Pottery and signs are by calligrapher Anna Laura Whitley of Silt & Pine. Village Wines in Hillsboro Village picks the perfect bottle of wine.
Nora is no stranger to a challenge. She's set up a dinner in the creek in Leipers Fork and on farms without electricity (for the Edible Farm Dinners). She's done picnics for proposals, anniversaries, and date nights But special occasions are not required: Simply the need to slow down and relax is reason enough. As now's the time to dine outside in the middle of nowhere (or on a park or farm), let your next picnic become Nora's project.
Photo 1: customizable sign for every picnic
Photo 2: Nora Melton
Nora's Picnic Tips:
Use real plates or nice plastic ones. Doesn't matter if they match.
Set up the picnic on a folding table, especially if there are older folks who are challenged sitting on the grass (or younger folks with an aaversion to grass and bugs:)
Use multiple table cloths for a beautiful effect.
Bring water in reusable glass bottles recycled from bottled water.
Candles, candles, candles. (remember a lighter)
Bring a lil speaker for your phone for music, or just listen to the birds is good too.
Vintage picnic baskets are great and romantic.
We like wine. Remember the bottle opener.
Throw pillows make yoursetting comfy, bright and cozy.
noramelton.com
@styledbynora
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