All White Pop-up Picnic Returns on September 17, 2022
(Birmingham, AL) – Le Dîner en Blanc will take over one of Birmingham’s public spaces on Saturday, September 17, 2022 for the third time. More than 130,000 foodies and cultural enthusiasts around the world already embrace 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 Diner 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 sensation in over 80 cities in 30 countries. While the technology behind the event has changed over the years, the principles 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.
“This is another great opportunity to not only showcase the City of Birmingham through an international event but to continue Destination Birmingham’s efforts to produce memorable yet multicultural movement within the city,” says Jasmine Allen, host of Le Dîner en Blanc - Birmingham, who has been working in the events industry for over 15 years.
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.
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: guests must be invited via the hosts’ network, participating partners or get on the waiting list via the official website at register.dinerenblanc.com/birmingham.
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!
Champagne and/or wine are allowed. Beer and hard liquor are prohibited.
As per Jefferson Country, alcohol laws/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 location is kept a secret until the last minute, guests meet at the assigned departure location and are escorted by Le 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.
For full details on the rules and regulations, please visit the official website at birmingham.dinerenblanc.com.
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 y videos of Dîner en Blanc events from around the world, visit dinerenblanc.com.
