As the weather cools off, outdoor gatherings become more enjoyable—the sun isn’t as strong, the insects aren’t as pesky, and there’s a beautiful crispness in the air. I like to switch things up by bringing the indoor out and enjoying laid-back gatherings in the backyard or patio space.
Planning
There’s no need to be formal with invites, unless you are hosting for a specific event, like a shower or a birthday. To determine how many guests you can fit, divide your outdoor space into two sections—half for standing and half for sitting, so there’s room to roam around as well as sit.
Outdoor dining is an easy option for entertaining—picnic-style food can be prepped ahead of time. If it’s a potluck, I take my guests into consideration. If the friends and family I’m inviting love to cook, I will ask them to cook and share. (Tip: Suggest a specific course to guests so you have a balanced meal and not too much overlap.) Otherwise, I just ask everyone to bring a bottle of wine.
The Menu
I always make sure that the food is easy to transport and that items can be made and packaged in advance to take the stress off the prep. The food should be served family-style so it’s easy to grab and eat for this picnic event, and I create smaller portions so guests can try a little of everything. Seasonal ingredients, like apples, squashes, and greens, are the starting point for my menu.
I like to start with a grazing platter. Not only do they double as decoration, but they’re also an easy way to create a table of vibrant fall colors, textures, and flavors that appeal to the eyes and the taste buds. A selection of meats, fresh fruits, dehydrated vegetables, and cheeses are always crowd-pleasers and the perfect way to start the meal.
Fall officially kicks off soup season, so I like to serve warming bowls of Smoky Sweet-Potato Soup or another vegetarian option. I heat it on the stovetop, then pour it into an enamel teapot or thermos—that keeps it warm and makes it easy to transport and serve. I put pumpkin seeds on the grazing platter for a garnish for soup and to add some crunch. And what pairs better with a soup that a bright, green salad? In the fall, I often opt for a combination of leafy greens with seasonal fruits and vegetables. I like serving the salad in metal bowls—refrigerate the bowls first, and they keep your salad cool longer.
Fold your favorite fall ingredients into a quiche, an easy, high-protein crowd-pleasing option for a picnic. Make it ahead of time—it actually tastes better the next day. Plus, it travels well and can be served warm or cold.If I want to serve sandwiches, classic baguettes are my go-to as they don’t get soggy, take minutes to make, and are travel-ready. I wrap them with kraft paper (or cutting a paper bag) and tie them with classic twine or thin rope. It makes them easy to transport, pick up, and eat.
To round out the meal, a simple, moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is the dessert I like best. Hankering for a classic outdoor dessert like s’mores? This portable favorite is a fun twist: Use a classic hot chocolate base and load it up with marshmallows and a vanilla simple syrup, topped with crumbled graham crumbs.
Drinks
Setting up a drink station takes the stress out of bartending. I create a designated section for drinks and stock it with essentials so everyone can help themselves. Make sure to have a variety of alcohol, non-alcoholic, hot, and cold to keep everybody happy. Fall-infused cocktails like bourbon-cider are my go-to. Fill vintage milk jugs with water and juices, and use large enamel bowls as ice buckets for chilling wine and beer.
The Setting and Seating
For a quick DIY table, I use wood crates and pallets as eating surfaces (test for splinters first!). Old doors or sheets of plywood also work. And forget chairs, there’s something much more intimate and cozy about sitting on the ground, so I bring various textiles and seating options outside. First, I put down old towels and sheets, then I arrange throws, rugs, and bed and couch cushions of various sizes. You can layer them together for extra comfort. Ottomans, bean bag chairs, or other low seats add a rich textural element, and comfortable cushions encourage guests to linger at the table. I also fill a basket with extra throws and blankets, as fall afternoons can turn a little chilly.
The Look
Market baskets are useful to carry items from the kitchen to the backyard and can double as decor. For the tabletop, opt for things that are more durable. Vintage enamelware, metal bowls, and wood items are a must. A few large trays for carrying food and beverages are helpful, and I use enamel or insulated pitchers for hot drinks and soups. Small baskets can double as serving bowls, and classic paper bags can quickly be rolled down and turned into great disposable bread baskets.
To minimize cleanup, opt for cool disposables and wood cutlery (it can be easily customized for place cards as well, with some snazzy Sharpie calligraphy). Mix and match glassware for a more casual vibe. Mason jars and old milk bottles are durable, cost-effective glassware for the outdoors and perfect for drinks both hot and cold. Whatever you do, don’t skip the flowers just because you’re picnicking! A centerpiece made with dried grasses, florals, and greens adds a rustic feel and natural beauty to your tablescape—and will last all season.
Music matters here, too. I keep my playlist and vibe relaxing as a contrast to what’s going on below. The Coffee House or Acoustic Covers are perfect for a chilled-out afternoon. Bring a portable speaker to make your job even easier.
With a love and passion for one too many things, Elisa Marshall, a Toronto native who calls NYC home, couldn’t find enough hours in the day to do all the things she loved, nor could she find that “perfect” job or café, so alongside her fiancé, Ben Sormonte (previously a corporate lawyer), she invented it – Maman. Quickly embraced by SoHo locals and international visitors, the café, restaurant, and event space has flourished with multiple locations across New York City, New Jersey, Toronto, and Montreal (and more to come this year!).
Growing up, Elisa never had that single what do you want to be when you grow up epiphany; rather, her passions were always a mixture of many things: fashion designer, baker, event planner, branding and marketing, interior designer, or the next Martha Stewart. Always with a love for the kitchen in the background, she began her career wearing many hats in the fashion industry before settling into PR
and events. With her creativity naturally flowing from branded popups to private shindigs, Elisa loved planning more intimate occasions and celebrating people as opposed to “things.”
In 2014, Elisa and Ben opened Maman (French for mother) in SoHo, a beautiful, welcoming place to eat, drink, and gather amidst all the things we love and those we love. Over the last eight years, they’ve opened twenty nine locations across multiple cities, with more on the way. Bringing to life childhood favorites, both savory and sweet from the south of France and North America, dishes focus on the highest quality, locally sourced ingredients and highlight twists on classic French technique. Maman’s famous nutty chocolate chip cookie was named one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things” and one of NYC’s best chocolate chip cookies in New York Magazine. Elisa has also contributed for MarthaStewart.com and launched her first-ever cookbook, “Maman: The Cookbook, All Day Recipes to Warm Your Heart,” in the Fall of 2021.
