By Vivienne Pearson
Who doesn’t love a picnic? Okay, there can be some downsides: tramping for kilometres to find the perfect spot, realising at the last moment that your picnic blanket is a little worse for wear, and preparing and packing all the food.
Let me start again. Who doesn’t love a picnic where someone else finds the perfect spot, provides a comfy blanket and cushions, and delivers a hamper packed full of delicious food?
Byron Bay Boutique Picnics has recently re-launched, after a hiatus of a year. Suffolk Park local Nicole Greenfield is not only an excellent cook and owns a superb range of picnic accessories; she is a lover of picnics.
‘The whole idea came from when I lived in the French Alps,’ Nicole says of her business that initially launched three years ago. ‘In the summertime, everyone would simply pack a basket, go for a hike, then set up to picnic by a lake.’
When she returned, she realised the Byron area had just as many beautiful spots and views but there simply wasn’t the same culture of picnicking.
Nicole cooks most of her picnic food from scratch and sources anything else locally. Her Hungarian heritage is not front-and-centre in her menus but does influence some of her dips.
Nicole aims for her picnics to be elegant and simple. The favourite location for picnickers is Wategos beach, especially in the leadup to sunset. ‘The hinterland is also a great option,’ says Nicole, explaining that she is able to arrange not-usually accessible locations.
Most of her clientele are visitors but she would love to see more locals picnicking too. She caters for groups of up to around 12 people, though couples are her most frequent clients. Though Nicole usually disappears after setting up the picnic, she has been in the background for marriage proposals. ‘I was crying,’ says Nicole, who is clearly a romantic at heart. ‘I was so happy when he gave me a subtle thumbs up to let me know she’d said yes!’
Nicole has connections throughout the Shire if extras, such as a photographer, are requested. For an upcoming event, a larger group is combining an open-air yoga class with their picnic. Whatever details a customer wants, including dietary requirements, can be catered for.
As long as there are happy picnickers, Nicole is happy too.
Visit byronbayboutiquepicnics.com.au for more information.
