Diner en Blanc Tauranga

“It’s a dinner party, not a unicorn…”

…whoever came up with this phrase has never been to a Le Diner en Blanc event. Like a magical and mythical unicorn, hundreds of people dressed in white meet at a secret location in the city, where they eat, drink and dance. Then, as quickly and mysteriously as they arrived, they leave, taking all evidence of with them.

This year, Tauranga hosted its first Le Diner en Blanc event at Pilot Bay. Tauranga and its beachy allure never dissapoints, and we were spoilt with magnificent views of the Mount, amazing weather (sorry Auckland) and a fabulous crowd.

The world’s largest dinner party

Inspired by the original Parisian picnic, Le Diner en Blanc began in Paris in 1988, when François Pasquier arranged an outdoor picnic and asked people to wear white so they could be easily recognised.

The event is invite only, and follows a strict reservation and ticketing process. With attendees invited to dress in white, as well as bring their own gourmet food, Le Diner en Blanc was created with the intention of bringing together those who enjoy the finer things in life –  gourmet food enjoyed around a decadently decorated table, the finest wine and great company.

Tauranga’s finest night out

Don’t let Tauranga’s laid-back lifestyle and beach vibe fool you – its people definitely have a penchant for enjoying a little bit of luxury once in a while. 

Despite the strict rules surrounding the logistically-challenging event, the Tauranga crowd came out in full force…beautiful women tried valiantly to keep their heels from sinking into the grass (definitely opt for sandals or chic flats next time), while the guys looked decidedly more comfortable in all whites than average men (those laid-back personalities kicking in). 

With a view that was just as magical as the event itself, we waved our white napkins in the air to signify the start of the evening, lit sparklers and danced to the music – what a great night out!

With the very experienced and graceful hosts (Rachelle Duffy, Kimberley Cleland and Dayna Comeskey), Tauranga’s first event was a major success – we can’t wait for the next one!