Photo: Eric Vitale Photography for Le Dîner en Blanc
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Deets: Opulent dining is back, chic white finery is back, elaborate table settings were back…yes, finally Le Dîner en Blanc, the legendary, French-inspired pop-up culinary event, was back to celebrate its 10th edition anniversary in New York on September 19. After a two-year Covid-related hiatus, the world’s largest dinner party returned to the city that jumpstarted a global phenomenon.
🍾 Diner en Blanc’s champagne partner was Champagne Barons de Rothschild.
Le Dîner en Blanc may have its roots in France, but the elegant soiree beckoning food lovers, cultural enthusiasts and fashionistas to gather at a secret location, clad head-to-toe in white, truly exploded globally after its smashing US debut in the Big Apple a decade ago. Le Dîner en Blanc International was deluged with requests from cities around the world wanting to hold the posh picnic in their locales.
Celebrity Chef and four-time James Beard winner Todd English was on site to help celebrate Diner en Blanc’s 10th Anniversary / Photo: Eric Vitale Photography for Le Dîner en Blanc
Le Dîner en Blanc has flourished in 6 continents, 40 countries and 120 cities with each location injecting its own culture and culinary voice. More than one million people are on waiting lists globally, hoping to attend events that frequently sell out in a matter of days if not hours. Case in point: 5,500 guests took part in the 2019 New York dinner and the event had a wait list of over 60,000. With Le Dîner en Blanc forced to postpone the big occasion because of the pandemic, anticipation has only grown. The wait is over.
Every year in New York and cities around the world, thousands of people dressed entirely in white descend on a landmark public space with everything they need for an elegant soirée in tow, including folding table and chairs, gourmet picnic food, fine china, silverware, and tablecloth. They first meet in groups of between 100 to 300 people at designated spots in the city and follow group leaders to the appointed location. The exact location remains a secret until the moment guests arrive, creating an air of mystery and excitement. It’s a magical moment in time -- from different points throughout each city, thousands arrive at the same moment, at the same place.
Over the course of the evening, the diners eat and celebrate amid live music, dancing, complete with festive white balloons. Many spend weeks in advance planning their menus. Guests also use the venue to express their unique fashion and design style; the often elaborate and creative outfits, fantastical hats, and decorative table settings are always a fabulous spectacle.
“I love Diner en Blanc, it’s a global organization that brings people of all walks of life and cultures together in a peaceful and celebratory manner, and exemplifies that food is our greatest democracy.”
Visually breathtaking moments include the waving of thousands of cloth napkins to mark the beginning of the dinner, as well as the lighting of sparklers to let participants know they are now free to mingle. When the trumpet call sounds the end of the evening, guests pack up their crystal, dinnerware and tables, pick up all their litter and head into the night, leaving behind no sign of their elegant revelry.
Hint for the Average Socialite: To be part of the celebrations, people can sign up now by visiting newyork.dinerenblanc.com and clicking on the Register tab.
To maintain the uniqueness of Le Dîner en Blanc as well as stay true to tradition, guests must observe certain requirements and follow a few key rules:
Dress code: elegantly and in white only. Originality is encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful.
Table setting: all white!
Champagne and/or wine. Beer and hard liquor are prohibited.
As per New York alcohol regulations, guests cannot bring their own alcohol. Guests wishing to enjoy some wine or Champagne must reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc’s e-store. However, guests are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages.
To ensure that the secret location is kept undisclosed until the last minute, guests meet at assigned departure locations throughout the city and are escorted by a Dîner en Blanc volunteer.
Guests are required to leave with all their belongings, leftovers and litter to ensure the location is kept as clean as when guests first arrived.
Guests must bring
A table, two white chairs, white tablecloth.
A picnic basket comprising fine food and proper stemware and white dinnerware.
A catered picnic basket option, which can be picked up on site, will be available for those who do not wish to pack their own. Guests wishing to do so must reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc’s e-store.
What’s Trending: @dinerenblancnyc
