Picnic Basket Banter: Nadine Louw and Katy Drinkwater, Flowers & Company
Welcome to the third installment of this year’s Picnic Basket Banter, a weekly series profiling Philadelphians who are participating in Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia 2013. This series puts volunteers and attendees of our event into the spotlight, asking a series of questions about their ideal picnic, favorite places in our amazing city and, of course, what they will be packing in their picnic baskets.
Nadine Louw and Katy Drinkwater are both attending Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia for the first time this year. Nadine and Katy were the winners of the Table Decorating contest at the Dîner en Blanc Preview Party at Williams-Sonoma at the Bellevue in Philadelphia on June 5th. The theme was “Paris and the 25th Anniversary of Dîner en Blanc”. Katy Drinkwater is a floral designer and Nadine is the owner of Flowers & Company in Rittenhouse Square. Judging from their similar answers, we can understand why they work so well together!
Nadine (third from left) and Katy (to Nadine’s right) pictured with the Judges at the Preview Party on June 5, 2013
Photo: Sean Corbett Photography
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What is your favorite spot to picnic in Philadelphia?
NL: Washington Square Park. It’s so quiet, peaceful and steeped in history.
KD: Rittenhouse Square
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What’s your perfect picnic beverage?
NL: Home-made raspberry lemonade.
KD: La Colombe Iced Coffee
The winning table.
Photo: Sean Corbett Photography
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: Who would be the most interesting person- living or dead- you’d like to share a picnic with?
NL: My father.
KD: Martha Stewart or Ariella Chezar or anyone who inspires my design work so frequently
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: Do you have a favorite picnic memory?
NL: With my sisters back in South Africa…after summer thunderstorms my dad would cut up giant watermelon slices for us to take along on our “adventure”. Juice boxes and watermelon in hand we would venture out which seemed like miles from the house (probably no more than a hundred yards at best) to sit under a tree and discuss “worldly events”.
KD: 4th of July beach picnics are just the best.
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What will be on your Dîner en Blanc menu? Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share?
NL: Fresh salads (pasta and fruit), sweet treats, Ambrosia and white wine.
KD: Definitely fun finger foods and fresh figs and veggies from my grandmother’s farm in Malvern.
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What non-food items are always included in your picnic basket?
NL: A radio and candles.
KD: Always flowers! And then a comfortable blanket and speakers for my iphone
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: If you were planning this year’s Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia where would it be?
NL: Washington Square Park or Art Museum.
KD: Washington Square Park or The Art Museum Steps for sure
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What types of flowers will be in your Dîner en Blanc table arrangement?
NL: Roses, Queen Anne’s Lace, Hydrangeas and Astillbe…all white of course!
KD: Tons of White Dahlias, Garden Roses, Queen Anne’s Lace and Larkspur
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What are you looking forward to most about attending this year’s Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia?
NL: Just being part of such a well-orchestrated event is exciting in its own. Then to be surrounded by so many fabulous people-all dressed in white-sharing in this experience is certainly a recipe for a great time!
KD: I can’t wait to see everyone’s outfits!
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
NL: The history, depth of culture and we definitely have some of the most amazing culinary minds in the country. We are very lucky!
KD: Definitely the people, no matter where you are or what you’re doing you will run into someone you know
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: If you were to plan “the perfect day” of things to do for someone visiting Philadelphia for the first time, what would their day look like from start to finish?
NL: Tough question…there is so much to see and do. There will be lots of eating and walking which is probably the best way to experience Philadelphia. Quick stops along the way at the Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross House (since you can’t come to Philly without going there) and the rest of the day at the Barnes and Art Museum, walks along the parkway and did I mention eating our way through the neighborhoods?
KD: I had friends visit once and we walked the whole city in one day and it was such a blast. We started with a walk from my apartment in South Philly to brunch at Pub & Kitchen, then through center city and up the parkway to the art museum, drinks at Lemon Hill, shopping in Old City and then dinner at Little Fish. Such a good walking city!
An assortment of flowers available for purchase specifically for Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia on August 22, 2013. Please call Flowers & Company to place your order (215) 988-9171
