Event Trend: Luxury Picnics, Charcuterie, and Grazing Boards

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Tripleseat News September 9, 2021

Intimate, luxury experiences have grown in popularity over the past few years. They’re reinventing the wheel, taking what is normally considered a small affair, and making it even more memorable. They are the perfect way to celebrate a life event or special occasion.

One trend, in particular, has grown in popularity for all different kinds of celebrations including engagements, birthday parties, and even a friends ‘night in! This trend is luxury picnics or “luxe picnics” that include charcuterie or grazing boards on the menu.

Menta Graze: Curating luxury event experiences

A New England company has honed into this fast-growing trend and is seeing unbelievable success while being in their first year of business. Menta Graze, based in Massachusetts and servicing the southern New England area, creates luxury experiences for their clients. Ashly Whalen, co-founder of Menta Graze, shared more about the experiences the company curates and how their role in events. Whalen has spent years in the hospitality industry, including luxury events and weddings in the New England area.

Menta Graze started during the COVID-19 pandemic amid numerous restrictions on restaurant operations and large gatherings. But Whalen’s business had an advantage because they could create luxury picnic experiences in a private setting that allowed them and their clients to operate within the government mandates.

“It gave flexibility to those who may or may not have been comfortable with gatherings, but they could still be able to do something special,” Whalen said. 

Now that restrictions have eased and gathering capacities have increased, Menta Graze has expanded into luxury experiences suited for a smaller group of as low as two people or growing to numbers of 50. Originally Menta Graze began with charcuterie boards and grazing boards, and they are now expanding to luxury picnics. The company offers clients three types of luxury picnics, plus add-ons like photography, flowers, yoga, beverage stations, backdrops, and lawn games.

Menta Graze also partners with local vendors to provide even more options for clients’ events. For example, the company has collaborated with caterers to cook at a client’s home or create luxury sandwich boxes to provide different options for a picnic experience. Menta Graze has worked with local events, such as the Newport International Polo Series and newportFILM Outdoors in Newport, R.I., to create memorable experiences for attendees.

Restaurants and luxury events

Restaurants, vineyards, caterers, and venues have jumped on the luxury picnic trend as well. 

Chenault Vineyards in Richmond, Ky., offers small, medium, and large charcuterie boards for events hosted at the winery, plus an individual graze box for parties of one or two who want to snack on the go. 

Crushed Ice Catering has a lot of charcuterie and grazing options for their Louisville, Ky., customers. Event clients can select from a long list of snacks for cheese boards, dipping stations, a veggie and hummus bar, or a grazing station. 

Manage your orders with TripleseatDirect

Whether you’re selling picnics or grazing boards, meal kits, catering, takeout, or delivery, TripleseatDirect can help you manage everything from inquiries to payments. TripleseatDirect allows restaurants, hotels, and venues to offer their customers a seamless and easy way to book, manage, and execute any off-site catering, in-house private events, and takeout and delivery services with zero friction or negotiations.

If your venue isn’t using TripleseatDirect yet, head on over to our TripleseatDirect page for a demo. You can also check our TripleseatDirect playlist on YouTube for more information on how this exciting new product works.