While Miami Beach is a city defined by white sand beaches, a sea of people dressed in white – 1,200 of them – was certainly an unexpected sight, last week, when the global culinary movement, Dîner en Blanc, landed in Miami for the first time.

Started 26 years ago in Paris, by François Pasquier, Dîner en Blanc is an event that attracts culinary enthusiasts, party-goers and those generally looking for a different type of night out. It has spread to 50 countries around the world, and five continents, and draws together a global community of people. Dîner en Blanc Kingston will join the list of countries with its first Dîner en Blanc event set for next year, Saturday, March 7, 2015.

When Pasquier started the event, his intention was to have an elegant picnic dinner party for friends, in a public space, and instructed everyone to wear white, so that each could be recognised. These elements still define the event 26 years later, and it remains an event ruled by tradition.

The tradition begins with the invite process. Spread essentially by word of mouth, and via social media, guests are invited through the first phase, by recommendation in the second phase, and through a waiting list for the third phase. Once the event has been filled, guests are instructed on how to properly participate in the event. This stretches from what each guest should carry with them, to what they should wear and instructions on the day itself. This year, 11,000 people attended the Paris staging, and 5,000 the New York staging.

EFFORT

Perhaps the most important thing to know is that each guest carries their own folding table (of a certain size), two folding chairs, table décor, and gourmet picnic dinner (if they want…catered picnic boxes were also available to purchase in advance and collect at the venue). For many, the concept of bringing all their belongings to an event is new, and unexpected. However, for the organisers it is perhaps the most important part of the event. Aymeric Pasquier, son of the founder, and executive director of Dîner en Blanc, explained to us that participation of guests is what makes Dîner en Blanc so unique. Guests truly become part of the event; they help to build the aesthetic of the night, and the ultimate success of the night. And all guests are in it together, creating a sense of unity amongst a former group of strangers.

SECRECY

Secrecy is also essential to the success of the event. The location is kept a secret from guests until their arrival at the venue. Only a select number of the organising team knows the venue, and group leaders are notified about the venue only hours before. Traditionally, the venue is a public space that allows guests to celebrate the city in which they live, often in an unexpected way.

FOOD

Guests are encouraged to bring their own gourmet picnic meal, ideally consisting of three courses, and inspired by French cuisine if possible. Dinner should be served on fine china, and eaten with silverware-no plastic is allowed. Now, in Miami, some guests went all-out, bringing warmers to serve their dinners, while others kept with the picnic concept creating menus of stone crab claws, and sushi. In recent years, organisers have opted to offer guests a catered picnic that they collect at the venue. For Dîner en Blanc Kingston, there will be catered picnic boxes available from Chef Colin Hylton, Chef Celeste Gordon and other chefs. Guests will purchase these in advance. In another nod to tradition, only wine and Champagne will be consumed during the event.

FASHION

It’s all about white. White everything. And it’s about elegance. Think fascinators, hats, bow ties, masks, and three-piece suits. Guests revel in dressing up and looking their very best. Dîner en Blanc Kingston will also be partnering with local designers and boutiques to ensure that all guests are properly and exquisitely dressed.

JOIE DE VIVRE

More than anything, it’s about enjoying yourself. It’s about celebrating the joy of living, joie de vivre. The night is defined by “moments”. Once everyone has set up their tables, and dressed it with flowers, candles etc, guests are invited to wave white cloth napkins in the air, signifying a successful “occupation” of the public space, and opening dinner. During dinner live entertainment and music entertains guests. Once dinner is complete, guests light sparklers, to light up the night, and to open the dance floor for the party. The party continues until midnight, when guests pack up their belongings, and take them home, leaving the venue the way they found it.

Do not be overwhelmed by the traditions and “rules” of the event. It is these guidelines that enable the organisers to maintain a standard that stretches all the way from New York to Paris, Singapore to Kigali, Montreal to New York. And now, Jamaica will be the first English-speaking Caribbean island to participate in the event, and host the flash mob, pop-up picnic.

— Leisha Wong

For more information, visit kingston.dînerenblanc.info and follow the team on Instagram and Twitter @dînerenblancKGN, and Facebook, www.facebook.com/DînerEnBlanc.Kingston. The waiting list is now open; so make sure to sign up now!