Shhhh....a secret Diner en Blanc

Imagine being at a dinner party with hundreds or thoudsands of people, enjoying delicious food and drinking champagne, dancing to beautiful music under the reflecting lights of the most breathtaking view of the city. That is probably the best way I can describe the world's largest outdoor dinner party. Around this time last year, we were among the five hundred guests attended London's first annual Diner en Blanc in Covent Garden. Similar to everyone there that night, we did not know how this new adventure would turn out. And I think that was the whole idea, to leave all your prenotion behind and just enjoy the evening. As it turned out, everything was perfect!

Traditionally sparklers mark the end of the evening

And only a few days ago, the second annual celebration took place on the docks across from the O2 Millenium Dome. Unfortunately, we were not at this year's event but as it is being held all over the world, one can only hope that it will be making its debut here in Colombia sometime soon. Diner en Blanc was started 25 years ago in France by Francois Pasquier who decided to throw a dinner party to mark his return to Paris after a few years living abroad. The party was held in the Bois de Boulogne as there were quite a few of his friends who wanted to come. And as a result, Francois asked that all his guests who were attending the dinner to wear white so it would be easy for everyone to recognise each other. The night became such a huge success that Francois and his friends decided to make it into an annual event. However, the story behind the all so secret location began a few years later when the group wanted to have dinner at one of the most beautiful locations in Paris, Pont des Arts. They knew that the idea would not be welcome by the local authorities so they decided to keep the location a secret until the last minute in order to make sure that everything would go as planned. Today the same concept continues all over the world and at some of the most beautiful places including France, New York, Singapore, London, Berlin, Russia, Canada, Australia, and Mexico.

Versailles

New York

Singapore

Philadelphia

Mexico City

Nevertheless, a great party like this would not be complete without a few minor details. For example, guests must be a member of Diner en Blanc. One can either register on the official web site dinerenblanc.info or through referral by an existing member. Everything you need to know for the dinner will be given to you prior to the event except for the location itself. On the day, guests arrive in various meeting points expected to dress elegantly and of course, all in white. They will bring with them everything they need to set up the dinner at the final location and that include a white folding table and chairs, china and cutlery, glasses for either champagne or wine, and a white picnic basket with an already prepared three course meal. Alternatively, there is an option to pre purchase the dinner by the organisers and for us, it was the best option as it was delicious and we did not have to worry about preparing a meal ourselves. The dinner location would then be revealed by the organizers and so finally, guests can make their way to the much anticipated secret location to enjoy the rest of the evening. If you are interested in the event, I would recommend that you check the official website to see if Diner en Blanc will be hosting in your city or any other cities you would like to attend and register as soon as possible. New York will take part in the second annual event a week from today on the 18 of September. Last year, it was at the beautiful Lincoln Center. Your guess is as good as mine where the event will be held this time around but I am sure it will be somewhere memorable. For us, there were many exciting moments to the evening. From not knowing where we were going to finding out the secret location were some of the best memories about this entire journey. In my opinion, the reason Diner en Blanc has been so successful for the past 25 years is because it proves that regardless of all our cultural differences, there is a common thread amongst us when it comes to the celebration and appreciation of food, music, and art.