THE WORLD’S LARGEST DINNER PARTY DÎNER EN BLANC RETURNS TO THE U.S. THIS SUMMER - Over 4000 People to Attend New York’s Dîner en Blanc August 25th, Largest U.S. Event This Year

America has become a nation of foodies. We watch chefs compete on TV, sign up for cooking classes, and make our dining experiences into cultural events. The elegant pop-up Dîner en Blanc has been at the vanguard of this growing trend. It is the must-attend epicurean phenomenon for food lovers around the world.

Dîner en Blanc is the world’s first viral event, part impromptu picnic, part mystery tour, part je ne sais quoi. Launched in France in 1988, the storied Paris tradition today attracts more than 15,000 people. In recent years, Dîner en Blanc has exploded in popularity, this year expanding to more than 50 cities across five continents, from Paris to Sydney to Hong Kong to Jerusalem to New York. Quickly becoming one of the most culturally significant events in the U.S., there are wait lists in many cities, including New York, which typically exceeds 30,000 people.

To preserve spontaneity and secrecy, the très chic picnic takes over landmark public spaces in cities around the country, whose locations are revealed at the last minute to the delight of thousands of attendees. It’s a magical moment in time -- from different points throughout each city, thousands dressed in white arrive at the same moment, at the same place. People bring their own food to share with friends, often spending weeks designing menus and prepare some of the most sumptuous and creative repasts imaginable. Dîner en Blanc has also become a popular venue for people to exhibit their unique fashion style, showcase their taste for design and share their gastronomic delights.

This year, organizers expect to host a large number of fashion and design aficionados as well as foodies. “Americans know true fashion, great food and elegance,” says Sandy Safi, Director of Partnership. Aymeric Pasquier, Executive Director, Dîner en Blanc International adds, “Not only have they welcomed us with open arms from the very beginning, but they truly express the joie de vivre that is symbolic of Dîner en Blanc.”

True to tradition, bystanders will witness groups of 100 to 300 people gather at specific rallying points across each city. Guided by local volunteers, these groups will then converge on one of the most beautiful outdoor settings in a public space, either on foot or by other organized means of transportation. Guests are asked to dress elegantly in white from head to toe, bring their own picnics, tables, chairs, fine china, silverware, and white tablecloth. Over the course of the evening, the diners eat and celebrate amid live music, dancing, complete with festive white balloons. Special 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 circulate, mingle and dance. 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. Each Dîner en Blanc event is headed by passionate local organizers who fall in love with the concept and want to bring the magic to their city, giving this special rendezvous a local flair. People are also encouraged to join the party in other cities, making Dîner en Blanc a truly global event.

About Dîner en Blanc
What began as a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international epicurean phenomenon. Dîner en Blanc International, based in Montreal, is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in over 50 cities by the end of 2014. The Bordeaux Wine Council is providing Bordeaux as the featured wine at Diner en Blanc New York this summer.

Key rules of the event
 Dîner en Blanc
is unique due to its requirements. The seating layout on the public
site is very specific and the site chosen is typically in one of the most beautiful parts of
the city, where diners can “see and be seen.”
 To participate, guests must be invited by a member from the previous year or get on
the official website’s waiting list.
 Once confirmed, each guest’s participation becomes mandatory, regardless of weather
conditions, as the event goes ahead rain or shine.
 Colour of attire and table setting: white only.
 Participants arrive and depart by chartered bus or organized public transit.
 Guests leave with their belongings, leftovers and litter, leaving the place as clean as it
was when they arrived.
Guests must bring
 A table, two (white) chairs.
 A picnic basket comprising quality menu items and a china dinner service including
proper stemware and flatware.
 Wine or champagne. Beer and hard liquor are prohibited.
 Participants must wear white and be dressed elegantly.
 Originality is encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful.
For full details on the event’s rules and regulations and to view photos or videos of Dîner en
Blanc
events from around the world please visit the official website http://dinerenblanc.info/.
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