While a few of us were getting nervous that Diner en Blanc wouldn’t be returning to Perth this year, the team behind this secret dinner party phenomenon has been quietly working away to make sure it’s bigger and better than ever. Last year saw over 1,600 of Perth’s biggest foodies and culture fiends make their way to Elizabeth Quay, white table cloths and picnic baskets in hand, to take part in one of the most elegant outdoor dining experiences on earth.
This year the event is even bigger and will see close to 2,000 Perth peeps head to a new secret location on Saturday 1 April—mark that one in your diaries and jump on over to the website to register! Phase one registrations have opened to members of last year's event, but if you didn't attend last year you can pop yourself on the waiting list and cross all of your fingers and toes! If you happen to know someone who went last year you can also ask them to sponsor you so that you'll get invited to register in phase two.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Diner en Blanc began in Paris in 1988 when Francois Pasquier decided to organise a picnic for his friends. As the number of guests grew, he decided to hold the dinner in a public space and ask everyone to dress in all white to easily recognise one another. These days almost 15,000 Parisians participate each year and in 2009, the first ever export of Le Diner en Blanc took place in Montreal, followed by New York City in 2011. Diner en Blanc is now held in 70 cities in over 25 countries with more than 100,000 annual guests.
To uphold the Diner en Blanc tradition, guests are asked to wear head-to-toe white attire and bring their own portable tables, white chairs, white table linens, tableware, and gourmet meals (you can also pre-purchase a gourmet picnic).
Part of the excitement of Le Diner en Blanc is the mystery of the location and guessing where it will be held. Guests will only be given a rendezvous point when they register and purchase their tickets and won’t find out the exact location of the event until they are on their way to it with their guide.
What are you waiting for, go and register now!
While you're waiting for this, check out the must-see shows at Fringe World Festival this year.
Image credit: Diner en Blanc