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Picnics are gaining popularity amid the pandemic.
Companies that provide picnic packages, often for special occasions like wedding anniversaries, say demand is driven by Covid-19 leisure travel bans and a renewed interest in exploring the great outdoors.
This has prompted Singaporeans to seek new experiences locally, such as fancy picnics.
Another draw of catered picnics is how simple they are, compared to doing it yourself.
Picnic vendors offer everything from food, drinks, and picnic mats; dinners with wine and candles; to a complete decoration such as colored lights, helium balloons, message boards, flowers and backgrounds.
Prices start from a basic $ 80 and go up to around $ 300. Extras, such as professional photography or bartending service, can be added for $ 200 more.
Love4picnic & Glamping Associate, a company providing picnic and glamping services, has seen a 20% increase in demand compared to last year. Their picnic packages start at $ 80.
Its founder, Sitisarah Shamsudin, says: “Due to strict travel measures, people did not have the option of going abroad to celebrate birthdays or wedding proposals.
“Most of our clients find picnics affordable, but at the same time, they can be luxurious, romantic and great. There are fewer hassles and you can go to parks without paying rent elsewhere.”
Sarah Sathyamoorthi, director of Pie in the Sky Picnics, says that business doubled in phase two, when some Covid-19 restrictions were relaxed, compared to before Covid-19. Their prices start from $ 160 for two people.
She says, “We used to see bookings and inquiries mostly on weekends, but now we get bookings for weekdays as well.”
Another local company, Picneeds, has organized around 38 picnics a month since the pandemic, compared to 30 the previous month.
Picneeds’ basic package is $ 190. Their popular Bachelorette: Fling Before The Ring set, which includes a sash, tiara, and helium balloon bouquet, is $ 265.
Ms. Lubby Young, 31, went shopping for a basic Picneeds picnic pack as a birthday surprise for her husband earlier this month.
The marketing consultant added some champagne and charcuterie to the mix, and says their picnic looked like “a classic English tea setup.”
“We always go to restaurants for special occasions. This was something different. There’s no way I could have done it other than bringing a picnic mat,” says the mother of a five-month-old.
Plus, he adds, picnics are inherently Covid-friendly.
“He’s socially estranged if you’re having a picnic in a park. It sounds public, but you actually have a lot of privacy.”
Decadent family party
It starts to rain on the way to our picnic in the Botanical Garden. It’s the classic scenario that needs a Plan B, but most hikers don’t have backup protocols and just run to the nearest roundabout.
Fortunately, the sun is shining weakly after we pick up our picnic basket at the Bee’s Knees at The Garage cafe at 50 Cluny Park Road.
It’s more like rolling luggage, as no carry-on basket is capable of carrying two pizzas, a plate of pasta, truffle fries, sandwiches, a salad, five drinks, and accessories you’d never think of packing, like cushions and a folding table.
This Picnic Buzz-ket pack (thegarage.sg/bees-knees/picnic-buzzkets), a collaboration with Packdd Singapore, an event services company, costs $ 135. It even comes with waterproof sheets to put under picnic mats. so that the wet grass doesn’t get soggy.
All we have to do in the end is group and deposit the batch in the coffee. With the picnic spread out near a pond, the gardens look like a tribute to the graceful meadows, with black swans and wild chickens roaming around.
The smoked duck aglio olio is delicious, with tasty pieces of duck seasoning the garlic noodles we sip.
There may be too much carb carb action, but the six-inch pizzas (with smoked chicken mayo and truffle carbonara flavors) are a hit, especially with my two boys.
The romantic-sounding drinks – lychee calamansi, watermelon mint tea, and black basil – are refreshing with their subtle layers of fruits and herbs.
Five of us enjoyed this feast around 4pm, which leaves me too full for dinner.
Briyani on the beach
Which brings me to the question: What kind of beast is a picnic?
Beyond its traditional outdoor snack connotations, it can also be a party trying to act casually or just an excuse for a great meal at an indeterminate time.
The possibilities for this packaged meal format in food-mad Singapore are endless.
So I find myself munching on an unusual picnic dish, Chicken Briyani, from the Gold Peaknic Set ($ 48), which can be purchased at Good Old Days (onefabergroup.com/good-old-days), a halal certified restaurant. near the beach. Sentosa station.
The customizable variety – two entrees, three sides, and drinks, with extras like mac and cheese and other kid-friendly meals – is enough for three. We even stuck with the large insulated picnic bag.
The spicy yogurt pairs well with the flavorful chicken, providing an invigorating freshness that counteracts the afternoon heat on Siloso Beach.
Ayam Masak Merah, served with rice, is not quite merah (Malay for red), with the sambal sitting next to the slightly dried chicken and not smeared all over the place as you might expect.
The problem with picnics is that they often sound better on paper than they do in real life. Putting sand on sandwiches is not fun.
But the best thing about picnics on the beach is the sea. It’s not the Mediterranean of a movie star, but Sentosa’s modest blue-green waters convey a sense of calm, even though the sun is trying to melt my eyelids.
Pinterest-worthy decor with city views
My next picnic is at the Bay East Garden in the Rhu Cross area, with views of the Singapore skyline, including the Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay, and millions of lights, making me catch my breath, especially as dusk turns to night.
I get another hit of dopamine as I walk away from the big city for a picnic for two on the grass next to Pie in the Sky Picnics (@pieintheskypicnics on Instagram).
The luxury event planning service offers stylish picnics for special occasions like birthdays and wedding proposals.
I’ve gotten into Pinterest with this picnic, which has been set up with chocolate box decorations like fairy lights, candles, pennants, and a teepee.
Themed Baby Blues ($ 160), comes with a cheese platter ($ 35) with a slab of brie cheese on the door and a variety of dried fruits, nuts, and snacks.
Suddenly, a storm breaks out. I grab the cheese and run to a pavilion seconds away.
Thanks to picnic services like this one that do the heavy lifting, there’s no need to pack or clean anything, even when rain threatens to wash away the picnic.
Reserve the sets:
THE KNEES OF THE BEES IN THE GARAGE
Book on their website.
GOOD OLD TIMES
Book on their website.
PICNICS PIE IN THE SKY
Book on your Instagram account.
Plan your own picnic on a budget
Would you rather do it yourself? Here are some insider tips for planning an inexpensive picnic with the wow factor:
1. RIGHT PACKAGE, LIGHTWEIGHT PACKAGE
Camie Chua, senior manager of marketing and business development at One Faber Group, which runs restaurants like Good Old Days in Sentosa and currently offers picnic sets, says, “Make sure you pack well and light, especially if you’re looking to walk a long distance before to get to your picnic spot.
“While wicker baskets can be lovely, they may not always be the most practical option. If possible, use insulated bags to keep packaged food and fruit at the right temperature.”
2. DO NOT FIGHT WITH THE CARPET
Save space for homeless people, not just food.
Ms. Chua says, “Make sure you bring a sturdy picnic mat that is large enough. Picnic goers often struggle with limited mat space, especially after all the food is laid out on the mat.
“To avoid having to deal with a dirty and damaged carpet, do not use a thin plastic sheet that tears easily. Using a thick carpet also means that you can sit comfortably without being disturbed by the uneven floor.”
3. LOCATION IS KEY
Khairul Amri Mohd Sidik, Co-Founder and Director of Picneeds, suggests places like the Marina Barrage and Bay East Garden for Instagram views of the central business district.
In addition to beaches like East Coast Park and Changi Beach, try more unusual picnic spots like Kent Ridge Park or Labrador Nature Reserve.
She also recommends applying insect repellent as a defense against mosquitoes and sandflies, and carrying mini portable fans to combat humidity.
4. JAZZ AT FOOD
Sitisarah Shamsudin, founder of Love4picnic & Glamping Associate, suggests cutting fruits, such as kiwis and pineapples, into pieces shaped like stars, moons, and other objects with cookie cutters.
If the sandwiches are too boring, try uncomplicated kebabs, using microwave satay sold in supermarkets, he suggests. Pasta salad is also easy to make by adding olives, onions, and cucumber, and it’s portable – just drizzle with a light lemon dressing and toss it in.
5. PREPARE THE SCENARIO
Sitisarah suggests spreading old sheets, duvets, or oversized towels on the floor for a luxurious feel. Keep the décor in a pastel color palette and a maximum of three colors so the color scheme is easy on the eye, she adds.
Try to make simple banners by printing letters and gluing them to cardboard. Tie these decorations between some trees.
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