On September 19th the wildly popular Dîner en Blanc returns to New York, the city that jumpstarted a global phenomenon. The legendary French-inspired picnic has become the treasured culinary and experiential event in cities around the world. Over 4000 guests dressed head-to-toe in chic white will gather at an iconic undisclosed location to dine and dance under the stars.
We had the opportunity to interview Sandi Safi, the Co-Founder/CEO of Dîner en Blanc International Inc. (Read more about Sandi in my previous interview.) She gave us fascinating insights into this year’s event and some of its exciting components. Two big changes: the French Chef Daniel Boulud will be providing culinary baskets that participants can purchase to elevate their dining experience. Also, the French spirits company Chambord will provide spirits for the event. Guests cannot bring their own alcohol, but can purchase drinks during the event. Those who attend must also bring picnic food, tableware, a tablecloth, folding table and chairs. And, of course, the dress code is head to toe in white with elegance and originality as a key.
It’s another exciting year for Dîner en Blanc participants. Why is NYC such a hotspot for the event?
New York City has always thrived on doing things differently, it’s a place that embraces the unexpected and celebrates unique experiences. New Yorkers are always eager to try something fresh and unique.
What truly makes the NYC edition of Dîner en Blanc so special is the sense of community. This city is an incredible melting pot of cultures, ages, and backgrounds, and that diversity is reflected beautifully at the event. It’s that shared energy, creativity, and spirit of togetherness that makes NYC a perfect and unforgettable host for Dîner en Blanc.
There have been many great locations for the event including Union Square last year in 2024. How do the venues influence the mood of this grand outdoor picnic?
The venue plays a huge role in shaping the overall mood and experience of Dîner en Blanc. It’s not just a backdrop, it sets the tone for the entire evening. Guests come expecting something extraordinary: to dine in an unexpected, often iconic location that transforms into a magical, all-white celebration.
That’s what makes the event feel so special and memorable each year but it’s also our biggest challenge. Constantly finding and negotiating new venues in the city requires a lot of pre-planning and collaboration among many city departments. Every edition needs to deliver that same sense of wonder and surprise, which means we’re constantly asking ourselves: How do we top last year’s venue? Finding a space that’s logistically viable, and that sends a different sensation every year… from center city to waterfront greenery.
With only about a month to go to September 19th, tell us more of the challenges of being the Co-Founder and CEO of Dîner en Blanc
As the CEO and Co-Founder of Dîner en Blanc, I oversee more than 80 events worldwide. Yet, I remain deeply involved in the New York edition, as it was the very first event that sparked what has now become a global movement. Beyond that, I personally love New York, it’s one of my favorite cities in the world, which makes this event especially meaningful to me.
But an event of this scale comes with countless moving parts. Behind the scenes, the logistics are complex and demand months of planning and coordination. From selecting the best departure points, to working hand-in-hand with the city, to identifying the perfect venue and assembling a dedicated team of volunteers, every detail matters. My goal is always to deliver a seamless, elevated experience for every guest.
One of the greatest challenges, and one I embrace wholeheartedly, is finding fresh ways to elevate the guest experience and reflect current culture, while remaining true to the brand’s identity, history, and values. Dîner en Blanc is defined by elegance, spontaneity, and community. Balancing innovation with tradition isn’t always easy, but when it all comes together, the reward is extraordinary: watching thousands of guests experience something truly magical, if only for one night.
Chef Daniel Boulud is renowned globally. Why do you think his talents are ideal for Dîner en Blanc?
Dîner en Blanc was born in Paris, and at its core, it celebrates elegance, sophistication, and the art of gathering, values deeply rooted in French culture. Chef Daniel Boulud, with his French heritage and globally celebrated culinary artistry, is the perfect match to bring that spirit to life.
He understands the balance between tradition and innovation, and his style adds an authentic, luxurious French touch that enhances the entire experience.
Having him involved not only honors the event’s Parisian origins, but it also adds an incredible level of prestige and excitement for our guests.
The baskets by Chef Boulud promise to be very inviting. What would you like guests to know about them?
The culinary baskets are always a highlight of the evening, and having a world-renowned chef like Daniel Boulud involved brings the experience to another level. But what many people don’t realize is that creating these meals is actually one of the unique challenges of Dîner en Blanc.
Unlike a traditional dining experience, this isn’t a restaurant setting,it’s a chic, large-scale outdoor picnic with no on-site kitchen, no hot food service, and no formal table staff. That means the food must be completely prepared in advance, maintain its quality, and still feel elevated, all while fitting the casual elegance of a picnic you can enjoy without fuss, often even with your hands.
Chef Boulud and his team work closely with us to design a menu that feels luxurious but is also practical for the format. It’s a fine balance between gourmet presentation and picnic-style convenience, and we think guests will be delighted with how thoughtfully the baskets are curated.
The French liqueur, Chambord is a perfect pairing for Dîner en Blanc. How did the company come to be involved?
When we think about brand partnerships, our goal is always to ask: How can we enhance the guest experience in a fun and meaningful way? With Chambord, we were lucky, they actually reached out to us, and it immediately felt like a natural fit.
Chambord brings that same French elegance and flair that Dîner en Blanc is known for, so the synergy was there from the start. Since then, it’s grown into a really fun collaboration where we’ve been able to co-create unique touches for the event, whether it’s themed cocktails, beautiful bar setups, or little surprises for our guests. It’s been a great way to elevate the atmosphere while staying true to the event’s French roots.
Anything else, absolutely anything you would like Woman Around Town readers to know?
While most people understandably focus on the Dîner en Blanc experience, the iconic event that began in Paris and has since captured the imaginations of millions around the world, there’s so much more happening behind the scenes.
In New York, the magic is easy to see: thousands of guests dressed in white gathering at a secret landmark, transforming the city into a stage for elegance, creativity, and connection. The event is undeniably photogenic, atmospheric, and rich with history. But what often goes unnoticed is the infrastructure that makes this possible.
Over the years, Dîner en Blanc International Inc. has quietly evolved into something much larger than a one-night celebration. It is now a category-defining experiential and technology-driven event company with the systems, talent, and global reach to build and scale extraordinary gatherings. At the heart of it all is a global network of producers, dedicated volunteers, and loyal fans whose passion defines what community truly means. The New York edition is not only a dazzling cultural moment, it is also a living example of this community in action: a fusion of artistry, technology, and human connection that allows a single evening to resonate far beyond the city.
For more information on Dîner en Blanc, visit the website.
Top: Sandi Safi, the Co-Founder/CEO of Dîner en Blanc International Inc.
Photos courtesy of Dîner en Blanc
