Diner en Blanc Makes a Splash for 10 Year Anniversary Event

Image Courtesy of Eric Vitale

Last Monday evening, Diner en Blanc’s 10th Anniversary location was unveiled as Brookfield Place, the same place they hosted their first event 10 years ago. Just after rain wreaked havoc on the city, 4,000 diehard attendees flocked to the waterfront, donned in white with all of their supplies for the evening, just as the sun came out before sunset.

According to Sandy Safi, Co-Founder of Diner en Blanc, this was also the first time that they went back to their waitlist for 2011 and invited back diners from the first event. New York was the first event in the United States and that event set Diner en Blanc into a global affair.

Guests sipped on champagne from Diner en Blanc partner, Champagne Barons de Rothschild and Celebrity Chef and four-time James Beard winner Todd English was on site to help.  “I love Diner en Blanc, it’s a global organization that brings people of all walks of life and cultures together in a peaceful and celebratory manner, and exemplifies that food is our greatest democracy.” At 7pm the iconic moment of diners waving their white napkins in the air signified the beginning of the dinner.

Image Courtesy of Eric Vitale

Co-Host Sarah Birtwistle, was a guest in Montreal 10-12 years ago and her husband said she would be a part of the organization one day. Fast forward and she has now helped organize in Montreal, Paris’ 30th anniversary dinner, which hosted 25,000 attendees and this event, among others. According to Sarah, the attendees make the event magical because they’re part of the production. “The people are part of the event versus just attending an event or concert.”

The event was the best excuse to wear white after Labor Day and rumor has it that next year’s location has already been chosen, although no one will know where it is until right before! For more information and to get on the waitlist, visit https://newyork.dinerenblanc.com/.

-Photos courtesy of Eric Vitale