West Hartford residents and those from Greater Hartford are invited to register for the area’s inaugural Parisian-style pop-up picnic, Le Dîner en Blanc, coming this July to a secret location.

Dîner en Blanc 2018 Vancouver. Photo credit: Sean Mollitt. Courtesy photo

Submitted

From global phenomenon to highly sought-after “secret,” Le Dîner en Blanc will take over one of Hartford’s public spaces on July 28, 2019, for the first ever refined pop-up epicurean event.

More than 130,000 foodies and cultural enthusiasts around the world have already embraced this unique event.

As stated very eloquently by the New York Times: “There are picnics and there are Picnics.” This très chic picnic is equal parts mystery tour, pop-up feast, and je ne sais quoi.

In June 2018, Le Dîner en Blanc de Paris marked its 30th anniversary. A record 17,000 guests from Paris and around the world gathered at the Esplanade des Invalides to celebrate this historic moment.

Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîner en Blanc has become a worldwide epicurean phenomenon. What began as a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international epicurean sensation in more than 80 cities in 30 countries. While the technology behind the event may has changed over the years, the principles fueling this fantastic event have not: guests continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful locations.

“We felt Hartford was primed for such a dazzling event, as an increase of interest in fine living has been noted over the years,” stated Wanda Ladson-Smith, co-host of Le Dîner en Blanc – Hartford, who has been working in the event planning industry for nearly 20 years and hopes to make this very first edition a success that will pave the way towards establishing a long-standing tradition.

In essence, Le Dîner en Blanc promotes friendship, elegance, and gallantry. Over the course of the evening, guests experience the beauty and value of one their city’s public spaces by participating in the unexpected.

Dîner en Blanc 2018 Indianapolis. Photo credit: Jessika Feltz. Courtesy photo

To maintain its uniqueness as well as staying true to tradition of Le Dîner en Blanc, guests must observe certain requirements and follow a few key rules:

• To participate in this first edition: guests must be invited via the hosts’ network or participating partners or get on waiting list via the official website: register.dinerenblanc.com/hartford.
• Once confirmed, each guest’s participation becomes mandatory, regardless of weather conditions. This is a rain or shine event.
• Dress code: elegant and white only. Originality and creativity are encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful.
• Table setting: all white!
• To ensure that the location secret is kept secret until the last minute, guests meet at assigned departure location and are escorted by Dîner en Blanc volunteers.
• In order to leave the event location as clean as when they arrived, guests are required to leave with all their belongings, leftovers and litter.

Guests must bring:

• A table, two (white) chairs, white tablecloth.
• A picnic basket comprising fine food and proper stemware and white dinnerware. An option to pre-order food, which can be picked up at the site, will be available for those who do not wish to pack their own picnic baskets. Guests wishing to do so must reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc’s e-store.
• Champagne and/or wine. Beer and hard liquor are prohibited. As per Hartford, CT, alcohol laws, 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.

About Dîner en Blanc International

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Dîner en Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in over 80 cities in 30 countries around the world. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair. For more info, photos & videos of Dîner en Blanc events from around the world, visit dinerenblanc.com.

About the Hosts of Le Dîner en Blanc – Hartford

The local host for Le Dîner en Blanc – Hartford are, Lisa Cato-Scott, Heather Cato, Wanda Ladson-Smith, and Veronica T. DeLandro.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!

Dîner en Blanc 2018 Montreal. Photo credit: Sean Mollitt. Courtesy photo

Dîner en Blanc 2018 Johannesburg. Photo credit: Phillip Santos. Courtesy photo