Dîner en Blanc, the world’s largest and most glamorous dinner party, originated in France in the 1980’s and has since quickly grown to become an international phenomenon. This fairytale evening dressed all in white has become one of the most fabulous annual events held across the globe, and particularly in the city of Philadelphia. If you’re unfamiliar, Dîner en Blanc is a pop-up dinner held at a secret location that is announced to guests last minute. Put on by co-hosts Natanya DiBona and Kayli Moran, this year’s Dîner en Blanc Preview Party was held Tuesday, June 9 at the gorgeous Headhouse Square Shambles in South Street’s Headhouse District. The largest Preview Party to date, 500 attendees were offered a taste of what to expect at this year’s exclusive event.
Fifteen Philadelphia neighborhoods were represented with elegantly themed table settings for the annual table decorating contest. Each setting was strategically crafted by event planners, visual directors, home crafters, and local florists to create aesthetically pleasing settings. From the plates to the napkin rings and arrays of exquisite blooming flowers (or in Chinatown’s case, bamboo), each table was decorated to provide a unique take on what makes each neighborhood stand out.
Food tastings included Chef Luke Palladino’s savory Jersey corn bruschetta; a variety of cheeses, meats, and breads from DiBruno Brothers; and mouth-watering desserts like strawberry shortcake parfaits and chocolate chip cookies by Garces Catering. Apothic Wines, Dîner en Blanc’s official wine sponsor, offered tastings of a sweet white and a smooth red which complemented the dishes offered.
It was announced during the party that this year’s Dîner en Blanc will be updating its registration system, which has been a source of mystery and even frustration in the past. Signing up on the waiting list does not guarantee a spot at Dîner en Blanc, adding to its exclusivity. Therefore, invitations will be submitted in three phases throughout the summer to over 4,000 hopefuls, phase three of which will be a lottery with time-sensitive invitations sent out to batches of potential guests via email. This year’s Dîner en Blanc will be held on August 20, so keep a close eye on Facebook and Twitter as we approach the date!
If you’re looking for an excuse to dress up in your finest white attire and enjoy a night out in our beautiful city, you can register to be put on the waiting list here. Bonne chance!
