Chicago's Largest Pop-Up Dinner is Back!

Chicago (July 8, 2019) – This year marks the 8^th edition of Le Dîner en Blanc – Chicago, the elegant and secret affair that is one of the most anticipated social events of the year. On Thursday, August 8, 2019, Le Dîner en Blanc will pop up in an undisclosed and unexpected public space in the city of Chicago allowing more than 3,500 guests to enjoy the food and wine scene of the Windy City.  

Each summer in more than 80 cities around the world, thousands of people dressed entirely in white descend on a landmark public space with everything they need for an elegant soirée in tow, including folding table and chairs, gourmet picnic food, fine china, silverware and a tablecloth. Over the course of the evening, the guests eat and celebrate amid live music and dancing, many of them spending weeks in advance planning their lavish menus and striking ensembles. The event offers attendees the perfect occasion to express their unique fashion and design style; the often elaborate and creative outfits, fantastical hats and decorative table settings are always a fabulous spectacle.

“Le Dîner en Blanc – Chicago is a unique opportunity to celebrate and honor our city. Deeply rooted in the traditions of the original Parisian event, the Chicago edition prides itself on offering an inclusive environment that brings people together to represent and celebrate the vibrant community of Chicago. Every year, we are overwhelmed and delighted at the bonds that have been formed and reinforced, reuniting old friends and creating new ones,” state the hosts of the Chicago event – Brandy Koch, James Wild, Lauren Haras, and Roger Hobby.

Invitations for the event occur in three stages. Each invitation is for two people: Phase 1 is for members who attended the previous year’s event; Phase 2 is for new members who are sponsored by Phase 1 attendees; and Phase 3 is for guests who register on the waiting list, which is still open for the 2019 event. chicago.dinerenblanc.com/register

To keep with Le Dîner en Blanc’s unique tradition, guests observe a few key rules:

• Once confirmed, guests’ participation is essential.

• The dress code is simple! Elegant, white outfits and accessories.
• The table setting should be all white. This is a green event, so no disposables!
• Wine and/or Champagne permitted through pre-purchase from the official e-store.
  • Beer and hard liquor is prohibited.
  • Per venue, City of Chicago, and state laws/regulations/ordinances, guests are not allowed to bring their own alcohol. Guests wishing to enjoy wine or Champagne must reserve a voucher through the Dîner en Blanc - Chicago e-store.
  • Non-alcoholic beverages welcome.
• The location is a secret. Guests meet at their selected departure point and are escorted by a Dîner en Blanc volunteer to the secret event site.

• At the end of the evening, guests are required to take all of their belongings, leftovers, and garbage, leaving the secret location as pristine as they found it.

Like all picnics, guests must bring some key items:

• One portable table, two white chairs, white tablecloth, and white cloth napkins.
• A three-course meal for two, proper stemware, and white dinnerware.
  • Catered picnic basket options will be available to guests who do not wish to pack their own. Guests wishing to order a basket must do so prior to the event via the Dîner en Blanc – Chicago website. Baskets will be available for pick-up on-site (no on-site sales).
• Valid Driver’s License or State ID (all guest must be over 21).

Le Dîner en Blanc – Chicago gratefully acknowledges Glunz Wines as an official local partner and Chateau Ste. Michelle, Citi Bank, and Sofitel as official national partners of the 2019 US series of Le Dîner en Blanc.

To keep up to date on event announcements, visit chicago.dinerenblanc.com 

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About the Hosts of Le Dîner en Blanc – Chicago

The Le Dîner en Blanc - Chicago team held their inaugural event in August of 2012 in the South Gardens of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since then, the Hosts have sought out significant Chicago venues throughout the city that are underutilized or have previously not been available for a public or private event including IIT, Pioneer Plaza, the Lincoln Park Zoo Nature Boardwalk, Federal Plaza, and Queen’s Landing along Chicago’s lakefront. Le Dîner en Blanc - Chicago hosting team includes Roger Hobby, James Wild, Lauren Haras and Brandy Koch.

About Le Dîner en Blanc
InJune 2018, Le Diner en Blanc de Paris marked its 30th anniversary. A record 17,000 guests from Paris and around the world gathered at the Esplanade des Invalides to celebrate this historic moment.  Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîner en Blanc has become a worldwide epicurean phenomenon. What was a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international sensation celebrated on six continents. While the technology behind the event may have changed over the years, the principles fuelling this fantastic event have not: guests continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful public spaces. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Dîner en Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in over 80 cities in 30 countries around the world. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair. For more info, photos and videos of Dîner en Blanc events from around the world, visit dinerenblanc.com.

About Chateau Ste. Michelle

Founded in 1934, Chateau Ste. Michelle pioneered vinifera grape growing in Washington State and has been producing classic European varietal wines under the Ste. Michelle label since 1967. The winery combines an ongoing dedication to research with a commitment to classic winemaking traditions. The winery owns 3,500 acres of vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Eastern Washington, including Canoe Ridge Estate and Cold Creek, which are LIVE and Salmon Safe certified. Chateau Ste. Michelle enjoys winemaking partnerships with some of the world’s most distinguished vintners. Col Solare is an alliance with Tuscany’s Piero Antinori, Eroica Riesling is a partnership with the Mosel’s Ernst Loosen and Tenet is a collaboration with Michel Gassier and Philippe Cambie of France. Chateau Ste. Michelle has received a long list of awards including 22 “Wineries of The Year” honors (Wine & Spirits) and 18 “Top 100 Wines” designations (Wine Spectator). Chateau Ste. Michelle also has a long history of giving back to the industry and community. The net proceeds from its popular Summer Concert Series helps fund its charitable giving program, which supports some 400 non-profit organizations annually, has provided more than $3 million for scholarships for high-achieving, low-income students at Washington universities, and supports the Viticulture & Enology Program at Washington State University.

About Citi Bank

Citi® offers its credit card and Citibank® Debit Card customers access to more than 10,000 events annually through Citi Entertainment^SM, the bank’s entertainment access program. Citi Entertainment provides special access to purchase presale tickets and exclusive experiences for the year’s most anticipated concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more. For more information, please visit www.citientertainment.com.

About Sofitel

Sofitel Hotels & Resorts is an ambassador of modern French style, culture and art-de-vivre around the world. Established in 1964, Sofitel is the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France with over 120 chic and remarkable hotels in the world’s most sought-after destinations. Sofitel exudes a refined and understated sense of modern luxury, always blending a touch of French decadence with the very best of the locale. The Sofitel collection includes such notable hotels as Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg, Sofitel London St James, SofitelMunich Bayerpost, Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Ipanema, Sofitel Washington DC Lafayette Square, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort. Sofitel is part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique and meaningful experiences in 4,800 hotels, resorts, and residences across 100 countries. sofitel.com | group.accor.com

About Glunz

Rooted in the integrity, experience and innovation of over a century of family business, our mission is to be the undisputed first choice in wine & spirits distribution in the Midwest. We strive to be the leader in relationship-based exceptional service, in-depth product knowledge and technology. Our portfolio represents a focus on many family owned, value driven, industry pillars & pioneers. glunzwines.com.