On September 14, the famous French-inspired pop-up dinner “Diner en Blanc” will return to New York City. This location previously created the event’s international fame. It has become the annual fashion and culinary event in cities across the globe.
In 2023, sixty-five cities host the event. Each location introduces its own culinary and cultural elements. At the glamorous dinners, thousands of attendees congregate at an undisclosed location, which remains a secret until the attendees arrive.
The guests bring the supplies required for a graceful soireé. This includes fine china, silverware, white tablecloths, and picnic food. The guests celebrate immaculate food, delicious wine, and friendship.
They eat and share conversations with friends. They dance to live music and indulge in their city’s beauty. The attendees express their unique styles. Their intricate outfits, beautiful hats, and fabulous table settings create a stupendous sight.
To learn more about the unique event, read the interview transcript with co-founder and owner Sandy Safi below.
The Knockturnal: How do event organizers choose the public space for the picnic?
Sandy Safi: It’s not easy to find a venue that can accommodate dinner for 5000 people! Our first challenge is to find the perfect space: one that is easily accessible, flat and represents the essence of the city at its finest. Oftentimes, we come across locations not originally designed for events or gatherings, but we transform them into unique and enjoyable spaces in a different light. Whether it’s a park, a street, a plaza, a pier, or even an island, these everyday walkways are transformed into extraordinary experiential spaces for one unforgettable night. Our events create cherished
memories that will last a lifetime. As you pass by the location on your way to work the next day, the space takes on a new meaning, forever etched with the magical moments shared during the event.
The Knockturnal: The event’s dress code involves all-white outfits. What does the color white symbolize?
Sandy Safi: White can symbolize many things: peace, tranquility, light, and elegance. White light is also a mix of all colours in the spectrum, and when all the colours combine, they create a white light. For us, the colour white puts everyone on an equal level for one night — it unites, it makes us all one.
The Knockturnal: Please talk about the history behind the waving of cloth napkins at the dinner’s start.
Sandy Safi: Thousands of people gather for Dîner en Blanc and, although it seems like organized chaos as everyone sets up their table, and chairs and pours their wine and champagne, the dinner officially commences when all guests are gathered and seated. The waving of thousands of white napkins indicates that we are all united and can now start the dinner. It’s our way of saying “Bon Appetit!”
The Knockturnal: Guests can select a catered picnic basket at the event. How are the dishes in the basket selected?
Sandy Safi: We look to collaborate closely with talented chefs to curate picnic baskets that are not only complete but also perfectly suited for a delightful picnic setting. When we curate a meal basket, we look for chefs to blend the richness of local flavors with a touch of French flair.
The Knockturnal: The event has live music as well. How are the musicians selected?
Sandy Safi: Embracing the essence of the local community is very important to us, which is why we prioritize supporting local artists, musicians, and performers. We look to showcase local talent, making each event an opportunity to introduce fresh and exciting acts to our audience. At the same time, we cherish the French origins that define our event. We take pride in infusing a subtle French touch into our music selection and meals. This not only pays homage to the rich heritage of Diner en Blanc but also adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the overall experience.
By promoting local flair and honoring our French roots, we create a vibrant celebration with a range of talent and cultural influences. Our approach to being both local and international ensures that every Dîner en Blanc event is a unique and unforgettable experience.
The Knockturnal: How do local organizers join the Le Dîner en Blanc team?
Sandy Safi: When a Dîner en Blanc event takes place in a city, it sets off a ripple effect, captivating participants who enthusiastically share their extraordinary moments on social media. As the word spreads, we often receive email requests from people eager to organize this unique event in their own local city. To ensure the concept is carried out with the utmost care, Dîner en Blanc International carefully conducts interviews to select passionate local organizers who will bring magic to their communities. We also often receive emails from guests who attended the event and now want to bring it to their own hometown, or another city where they might have moved to.
After vetting the local organizers, we then support them by providing essential tools such as a dedicated website, a registration and ticketing system, and organizational assistance. Our goal is to facilitate a seamless transition, ensuring the spirit of the event remains intact while being embraced by a new city.
Together, we work closely with hosts from diverse corners of the world, fostering the international growth of this magical concept. At present, we proudly host over 43 events in the USA and twice that number globally.
Looking ahead, we envision uniting the global Dîner en Blanc community into one large, vibrant online family. This platform will serve as a hub where members can connect, share their passion for food, travel, fashion, and so much more. Our ultimate goal is to create a worldwide community that transcends borders, celebrating life’s pleasures together and forging unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.
To register for Diner en Blanc, please use this link.
