Preparing for Montreal’s Dîner en Blanc!

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Have you ever dreamt of attending a fairytale picnic where everyone looks beautiful dressed in crisp white, and guests enjoy gourmet delights while sipping on champagne as they watch the bubbles float into the air to meet the stars?

Well this fairytale is actually a gloriously true story. And it’s happening here in Montreal this week. At a location that is kept secret until 45 minutes before the dinner commences, this coming Thursday, August 14th, the city of Montreal will be encased in an elegant white wave as people from all across the city take part in Dîner en Blanc.

More than 5,500 people elegantly dressed in only white and carrying their cutlery, chairs, and gourmet meals will come together to celebrate this city-wide event in various locations.

A traditional that started in Paris 26 years ago, Dîner en Blanc become a phenomenon in the past few years as the event has spread around the world like wild fire. And for Montreal, it is always a beautiful success. This will be the 6th edition of Dîner en Blanc, and this year is expected to be as wonderful as usual.

The event is all about bringing foodies, fashionistas, friends and families together. It is about community and creating a the kind of peace that is, at times, a little more difficult to achieve in our fast paced lives. Dîner en Blanc is an opportunity to reclaim our cultural heritage through simplicity and elegance.

So for those who are attending, I have no doubt you are getting your suits and dresses ready and planning a beautiful meal for the evening. Make sure your pristine picnic gear is cleaned and ready to go for as soon as the secret location is announced. And for those who do not know about the Dîner en Blanc, I encourage you to investigate the event because it truly is a beautiful evening. Unfortunately registrations for this years dinner have closed, however I would suggest placing your name on the waiting list for next year’s event!

Aymeric Pasquier, organiser for Montreal’s Dîner en Blanc, says the success of the dinner is due to many reasons. One of the most significant is the guests’ involvement in the event. “They prepare their event weeks ahead of time. This preparation, although sometimes tedious when attending the event for the first time, gives attendees a sense of accomplishment that they would not get from any other event where everything is included. Each attendee must bring tables, chairs, champagne and wine, cook their best meal, and find the most beautiful white clothing to distinguish themselves from their neighbours. Instead of being a spectator, they all become actors in the event.”

And after an evening of fine dining under the stars, the dancing begins! A fireworks display signifies the opening of the dance floor and the tunes of the featured DJ takes over the evening for all to enjoy.

So, what a glorious evening we have ahead! I can’t wait to see Montreal’s elegant dress and gourmet delights at Dîner en Blanc. It is going to be pure magic.

Dîner en Blanc is an annual city wide event held at a different location each year. This year, dinner will commence at 7pm on August 14. For more information about the event, see here.