Gallery: the inaugural Dîner en Blanc Toronto, complete with drizzle, open flames and sparklers
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
Last Thursday, a sea of nearly 1,400 white-clad picnickers flooded Fort York for the first annual Dîner en Blanc. Although Toronto did host a test run of the all-white flash-mob picnic last year, this was the first official launch of the dinner, which originated in Paris over 20 years ago. The event was clearly billed as rain-or-shine, and attendees—who arrived by foot and chartered bus to the secret location—saw plenty of the former. Still, they came by the dozen, carrying baskets filled with food, white dinnerware, white tables and white chairs.
Charged with ensuring that all guests stuck to the strict white-only rules were organizers Robert Morassutti , Jessica Tan and Nicholas Wong. And while some grumbled about their severity, the results were spectacular, with diners donning light summer suits, chic party dresses and elegant gowns amid the rows of white linen-covered tables topped with white floral centrepieces, candles and bottles of wine. Among the picnics, we spotted everything from homemade spreads of charcuterie and cheese to bo ssam that was finished with a handheld torch just before service. Those who didn’t want to bring dinner were treated to a three-course menu by chef Ted Corrado (Compass Group ; formerly of c5 ).
The drizzle, mercifully, began to lift as the evening progressed, with some diners dancing in the aisles to the musical entertainment, which included a live jazz band and singers from Against the Grain Opera Company. Others stayed seated at their rain-soaked tables (a few had the foresight to bring white patio umbrellas) until the grand moment, when the skies were illuminated with hundreds of sparklers (and hundreds of camera flashes documenting the moment). Around 9:30 p.m., the al-fresco dinner party turned into an al-fresco dance party, as DJ Vinny Gruvhunter led the crowd through top 40 hits. Then, just as suddenly as it began, the area was cleared out, with nary a trace of the evening’s follies. “It’s a labour of love that you can only understand once you’ve experienced Dîner en Blanc,” says Tan. “It was incredible to see the dedication.” Want to see what you missed? Check out our slideshow »
158256 After dinner, a majority of the participants danced the rest of the night away to tunes spun by DJ Vinny Gruvhunter (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc28-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc28.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc28.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc28/ aug12dinerenblanc28 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158229 (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc_intro.jpg 656 440 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc_intro/ aug12dinerenblanc_intro 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158258 (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc33-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc33.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc33.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc33/ aug12dinerenblanc33 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158257 After dinner a majority of the participants danced the rest of the night away to tunes spun by DJ Vinny Gruvhunter (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc31-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc31.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc31.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc31/ aug12dinerenblanc31 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158252 At 9:30, the announcement rang out to light the sparklers (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc17/ aug12dinerenblanc17 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
158255 Some attendees moved around Fort York’s lush green grounds, taking pictures to commemorate the evening (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc25.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc25/ aug12dinerenblanc25 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158254 Some attendees moved around Fort York’s lush green grounds, taking pictures to commemorate the evening (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc24.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc24/ aug12dinerenblanc24 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158253 Dîner en Blanc fashion (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc17b-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc17b.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc17b.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc17b/ aug12dinerenblanc17b 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158251 (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc16.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc16/ aug12dinerenblanc16 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158250 (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc14.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc14/ aug12dinerenblanc14 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158249 Some attendees went all-out in the food they brought to the picnic. A number of tables brought handheld torches to finish off their crème brûlées, but one guest decided to use the flame to caramelize the brown sugar finish on the roast pork butt she brought for a bo ssam (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc13b-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc13b.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc13b.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc13b/ aug12dinerenblanc13b 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
158248 A prom-style photo backdrop was set up near the front of the site (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc13.jpg 417 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc13/ aug12dinerenblanc13 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158247 (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc12b-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc12b.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc12b.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc12b/ aug12dinerenblanc12b 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158246 Dancing started breaking out in the aisles as dinner progressed (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc12/ aug12dinerenblanc12 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
158244 (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc10.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc10/ aug12dinerenblanc10 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158245 Meats and cheeses from chef Ted Corrado’s catered basket (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc11/ aug12dinerenblanc11 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
158243 (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc9.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc9/ aug12dinerenblanc9 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
158242 Although no outside wines were allowed on the grounds, guests were able to purchase wines through the event (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc8.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc8/ aug12dinerenblanc8 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
158241 (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc7.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc7/ aug12dinerenblanc7 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158240 One of the courses in chef Ted Corrado’s catered basket: a cool beef and Korean noodle salad (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc6/ aug12dinerenblanc6 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
158239 (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc5b-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc5b.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc5b.jpg 417 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc5b/ aug12dinerenblanc5b 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158238 One table setting (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc5.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc5/ aug12dinerenblanc5 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
158236 Only white or clear umbrellas or ponchos were permitted (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc4/ aug12dinerenblanc4 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
158235 The crowd setting up their tables (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc3b-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc3b.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc3b.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc3b/ aug12dinerenblanc3b 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158237 The crowd carrying their tables to their assigned sites (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc4b-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc4b.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc4b.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc4b/ aug12dinerenblanc4b 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158234 Live jazz band (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc3/ aug12dinerenblanc3 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
158233 The three-course baskets catered by Ted Corrado featured everything from cured meats and cheeses to butter-poached lobster and macarons (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc2b-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc2b.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc2b.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc2b/ aug12dinerenblanc2b 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158232 Arrival of white-clad guests in what organizers termed the “sea of white” effect (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc2.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc2/ aug12dinerenblanc2 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
158231 Guests arriving at Fort York with all their gear and baskets in tow (Image: Taku Kumabe) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc1b-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc1b.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc1b.jpg 624 417 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc1b/ aug12dinerenblanc1b 0 0
(Image: Taku Kumabe)
158230 Participants were instructed to congregate at various sites across downtown Toronto based on their chosen method of travel: via foot or bus. This was the crowd at the Royal Ontario Museum (Image: Renée Suen) Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 Dîner en Blanc Toronto, 2012 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12dinerenblanc1.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/gallery-diner-en-blanc-2012/slide/aug12dinerenblanc1/ aug12dinerenblanc1 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
TIL. Events that work nicely on Champs Elysee don’t translate well to Fort York.
I saw some black umbrellas in the crowd – major ‘faux pas’!
Sounds horrible.