Le Diner En Blanc

words by larissa klerck

What’s better than enjoying a picnic on Burleigh Hill with a few friends? Attending a picnic in a secret location with more than 10,000 other fellow Gold Coasters of course! Cue… Le Diner En Blanc

A little bit of history for you…

Le Diner En Blanc started almost 30 years ago in none other than Paris! A lad by the name Francois Pasquier came up with the fabulous idea of gathering thousands of people, all dressed in white, to unite at a secret location for one big epic picnic. In addition to uniting in love of food and wine, Francois’s vision was and still is to “promote friendship and elegance, setting a new standard for chic outdoor events”. In previous years, the dinner settings have included the Champs-Elysees, Le Louvre and in front of the Eiffel Tower, glam much? 

Before you rule out the idea of ever attending such an extraordinary event because you’re bank account couldn’t deal with a flight to France right now, let me tell you… Le Diner En Blanc is coming to the Goldy!

So here’s the concept (for those of you not already up to speed):

Firstly, you register for the waiting list. Yes that’s right; you can’t just buy your way in.

Then there are three phases of ticket releases (and you think getting tickets for Splendour is hard).

Phase one tickets will be allocated to friends of Diner En Blanc Gold Coast and event sponsors however in future years, phase one tickets will be reserved for previous attending members… so if you make the cut this year, you’ll automatically be on phase one for next year – winning! Phase two tickets are the lucky people who have been ‘sponsored’ by phase one ticket holders (pay’s to be in the know right?). Lastly, phase three tickets are reserved for those waiting patiently for their turn and have registered via the Diner En Blanc website. Once tickets are released, you will have to act fast because they will sell out.

VOILA! You have your ticket, now what?

It is mandatory that guests provide their own table, chairs, plates and other picnic necessities for the event. Guests will have the option of pre-ordering a gourmet hamper thru the Diner En Blanc website or alternatively, supplying their own picnic goods (we’re already drooling over the idea of copious cheese, crackers, quince paste and cured meats). So if you’re a mega-planner like me and not knowing where the picnic is going to be held stresses you out, at least you have an outfit and a picnic spread to start planning!

Le Diner En Blanc is happening on Sunday the 9^th of September and of course, the location is TBA.

Good luck and *hopefully* see you there!