Pop Up Picnics at Churchview Farm
Photography Provided by Churchviee Farm
Churchview Farm’s “Pop Up Pick Up” dinner program has been quite the successful mix of verdant scenery and beautiful gardens, culinary skill, and happy diners since its start in June. But what started off as a variation of takeout dinners has evolved into “Pop Up Picnics”. Churchview will continue working with amazing chefs and restauarnts to dish out delicious food, but guest now have the option to eat their chef-made dinners on the grounds of the farm in designated picnicing areas while enjoying wine, beer, and live entertainment.
Tara Rockacy, owner of Churchview Farm, says that these picnic dinners are a way to bring people together during a time when distancing is encouraged. “The pop up picnics, really ‘mini events,’ are our solution in the days of covid. While we are limiting the larger events on the farm, this is a way for people to responsibility come to a farm to enjoy a casual meal in a less formal setting.”
The Churchview team held their first set of “Pick Up Pop Ups” in June with Kate Romane of Black Radish Kitchen, Justin Steel of Bar Marco, and Chris Bonfili of Bonfire. In early July, they launched their Picnic series with Brian Little of Superior Motors, Neil Blazin of Driftwood Oven, and Curtis Gamble of Station with great success. This August they’re continuing their picnic series with another set of guest chefs lined up for three dinners, starting on the 17th with Jamika Borges from Wild Child and ending with Paul Krawiec from Café Du Jour on the 31st. Churchview has yet to announce the chef for their second dinner on the 24th.
A $165 package (for two) includes a glass of wine or bubbles, a four course meal for two sustainably packed in a CVF canvas tote bag, bundle of herbs or other fresh CVF product, flower bouquet, a bottle of wine, a printed menu, and personalized seating cards. A ticket also gives guests access to marked picnicing areas, live music, beer from Hitchhiker Brewing, flowers, juice from Live Fresh Juicery, and cornhole boards. Though guests have the option to take their food home, they are encouraged to throw down a blanket, or stake out a table, and frolic in the festivies.
Worried about social distancing? Churchview has taken extra precautions during these “Pop Up Picnics” to ensure small crowds and plenty of outdoor space. During the mini event there's a minimum of 12 feet distance between guests, and only 35 total packages for each event are sold. Tickets are sold by time slot, too— there are never more than 40 people per time slot and guests are given roughly an hour and a half to mingle, eat, enjoy the farm.
Rockacy says these steps have been taken as part of their effort to protect their community. Churchview Farm is also a participating business in the Safe Service PGH initiative. “This is one of those events we tried in order to find a solution [to covid restrictions]… it’s a way to engage people, and responsibly bring people to the farm. We will definitely continue this next season, too. Its casual, its fun, and people have really been enjoying it.”
Tickets for their August 17th dinner go live on August 10th at 9am. To reserve your spot and more information on ticketing, visit the Churchview Farm website.
PHOTOGRAPHY Provided BY CHURCHVIEW FARM
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