For most of the 2500 guests who attended the oh-so-elegant Diner En Blanc, it was beaucoup de travail. Pulling together a sensational outfit, tout en blanc. Waiting until the last-minute communique for the muster point. Traveling en masse par l’autobus to the secret location. Carting chairs, tables and gourmet picnics up to the field at Pumphouse Park.
But after setting everything up, it was oh-so-worth it. Especially if you could flaunt your white on white coordination down to the bag you schlepped your meal in.
Starting in a Parisian park 26 years ago, Dîner en Blanc is now an international exposition of all the best Frenchie things: joie de vivre, friendship, elegance and gallantry. Held in approximately 50 cities around the world, this was Calgary’s second time at the enchanted evening rodeo, where diners gather in a secret location, by invitation only.
Those who attended the Parisian-themed pop-up picnic courtesy of major sponsors avoided the shlep, sitting down to a beautifully appointed table in a prime location close to live music, complete with service and gift bags. This was despite Core Value Number Four listed in the lengthy rules and regulations of Diner En Blanc International, which states that “There are no VIPs and no VIP spaces at a Dîner en Blanc® event.” However, I am pro VIP, as long as the list includes me. Nordstrom, Indochino, Telus, RBC, Evian and Alliance Française … sign me up!
Chef Michael Noble didn’t have to agonize over his white outfit — Diner En Blanc was just another day on the job. He created 600 picnic bags of gourmet edibles that could be pre-ordered, all in the name of The Nash Restaurant and Off Cut Bar, his new venture that will open in the old National Hotel in Inglewood next month.
Another person who didn’t spend the day shopping for her outfit was the lovely Miss Treena, who went green while wearing white, recycling her wedding dress for one more fabulous night.
My own moment of white glory was this corsage. And pourquoi pas? Diner En Blanc makes prom style chic. 
Polo players always have plenty pairs of white pants at the ready.
Artist Jason Gogo, one of the event’s hosts, superbly attired as usual, distracting from the fact that the champagne was rose, not blanc.
In a city whose claim to fame is hosting the largest rodeo on earth, it was lovely to see the enthusiasm for an evening devoted to elegance. A votre sante, Diner En Blanc!
