Staff Highlight: Jamie Swink
Our Easton Porter Group team members are the heart and soul of what we do. From meals served at our restaurants to personal touches at our boutique hotels, our high-touch teams work hard to elevate the art and joy of travel and dining.
Today, we are highlighting Jamie Swink, one of our Event Managers at Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards. Jamie brings positivity and professionalism to her events and can be found bouncing around Pippin to ensure that every aspect of the event goes smoothly!
Check out the following Q&A with Jamie to learn more, then head over to Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards to see her in action.
How/when did you end up working at Pippin Hill?
I came to Pippin Hill 3.5 years ago as a banquet server (and later banquet captain), with the intention of getting enough experience in the events and wedding industry to eventually make a career in event management.
What does a day in the life at Pippin Hill look like for you?
A typical wedding takes my team about two days to set up, so the day before we’ll begin with a small crew to work on the reception space–tables, chairs, place settings, etc. I’ll also spend the day working on final details like staff assignments and a game plan for the day of. The day of a wedding is a long day of juggling vendors, guests, the wedding party, wedding planners, the transition between the open Tasting Room to the wedding, and the banquet staff!
What is a favorite memory you have from working at Pippin Hill?
My memory of being on this team is the amazing people I’ve met and built friendships with, both in and outside of Pippin Hill. I’ve also gotten to work with my younger sister, Jessie, for the last three years, who came to work in the Tasting Room during college a few months after I started here. Even though we work in different departments (and occasionally I get to recruit her to work a wedding), we still get to have a lot of fun together! Our favorite traditions are pizza Fridays (I order us a cheese pizza from our wood fired oven to split for lunch) and picking out the wines to bring to our family for the holidays.
Favorite type of event to work? Why is it special to you?
Weddings, hands down! I love seeing the work of all our staff and our vendors coming together to create a beautiful space and a special experience for all of our couples and their guests. My favorite parts of the day is after the reception space is set and candles are lit, but before the guests are invited in from cocktail hour to dinner, and dinner service. I’ve been fascinated by dinner service since the first time I worked a wedding here, and our synchronized service still amazes me!
What are some things you love to do around Charlottesville when you’re not working?
I love trying new restaurants and breweries in Charlottesville! You can’t keep my sister, our friends, and me away from Bang! or any place with a good local beer list. I got started in hospitality at a local brewery, so craft beer always has a special place in my heart.
