Le Dîner en Blanc – Halifax

  Le Dîner en Blanc – Halifax is a 4-hour très chic picnic for 1,000 people.  Le Dîner en Blanc, launched in Paris by Françoise Pasquier in 1988, now attracts more than 15,000 people each year.  Diners meet at a predetermined departure point and are bussed to a secret location.  This outdoor space is kept secret until half an hour before the dinner takes place.  The Halifax event is being hosted by Michelle Brisson (owner of Piknik Events) and Dylan Moggery (creative director at Extreme Group).

Throughout the evening guests will be treated to entertainment from performers, musicians, a dj, and light show all to help accentuate the dining experience.  An elegant setting calls for all to arrive dressed in white…everything must be in white (tablecloths, plates, flowers, balloons).  This magical event spans 4 continents and over 40 countries.  Halifax is the latest Canadian city to join in on this posh picnic.  Other Canadian cities include:  Calgary, Edmundston, Montreal, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Okanagan Valley, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler.

Over the course of the evening, diners eat and celebrate amid live music and dancing.  To help set the mood, local favorite Swingology will play as dinner starts.  If you’re not keen on bringing your own gourmet dinner basket or you just want to treat yourself, Le Dîner en Blanc – Halifax has partnered with Chef David Smart, Chef Frédéric Tandy and chocolatier Julien Rousseau-Dumarcet to provide gourmet picnic baskets that are specially crafted for the event.   Each basket has enough food for 2 and there are 4 from which to choose.  And where would this très chic picnic be without wine?  Bishop’s Cellar will be offering a selection of wines and champagne that is purchased before the event.

Basket #1 – L’Ami De La Mer
gazpacho, fish terrine, potato salad, chocolate torte, white chocolate truffle

Basket #2 – Le Classique
vichyssoise, charcuterie plate, chicken ballontine, lentil salad, crème caramel, white chocolate truffle

Basket #3 – Le Big Deal
fois gras & chutney, pickled chanterelle, lamb, ratatouille, cheese plate, panna cotta with berry coulis, white chocolate truffle

Basket #4 – Le Jardinier
gazpacho, mushroom & Brie pâté en croûte, salad, chocolate torte, white chocolate truffle

The Culinary Chase’s Note:   I, along with 10 others, had the pleasure of sampling from each basket.  It will be a difficult task for me to choose only one!  This is going to be the white party of the year!

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