Le Diner en Blanc. Photo/supplied
Picture you, your friends and a sea of friends you haven't met yet dressed in white and armed with picnic baskets brimming with gourmet food.
You're sitting down to share a meal under the stars in one of the most spectacular outdoor spots in the Bay. It's summer spontaneity at its best and far from a normal night out in Tauranga. It's Le Dîner en Blanc.
Le Dîner en Blanc, the world's biggest invite-only picnic, is making its debut in the Bay of Plenty on Saturday, March 18.
A surprise outdoor location will be transformed into the coveted, top-secret event, where 700 guests will gather in white to devour fine food, music and 'something a little magical' under the night sky.
Equal parts mystery tour and pop-up feast, Le Dîner en Blanc is aimed at bringing people together for an enchanting evening.
Launched in Paris nearly 30 years ago by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîner en Blanc has grown from a "friends and word-of-mouth only" event into an international sensation in more than 70 cities from Sydney to New York.
"What makes Le Dîner en Blanc a stand-out soiree is its rituals. Guests must be dressed elegantly, head to toe in white and bring their own square table for two, chairs and dinnerware. Everyone raises white napkins to signify the start of the meal and we'll all light sparklers to kick off the dancing. The location, which is revealed on the day, must be outside, in public and undeniably beautiful," says Kimberley Cleland, co-host of Le Dîner en Blanc Tauranga.
Kimberley joins Rachelle Duffy (Little Big Events) and Dayna Comeskey in creating the first Bay of Plenty edition. All three believe Tauranga is the perfect city for the secret, pop-up picnic.
"We have some of the most gasp-worthy landscapes and public spaces in the country and a community that appreciates sharing good food with great friends in a unique way," says Kimberley.
"The spot we've chosen is iconic, so it's a natural choice and going to be pretty spectacular."
Guests will gather at four departure points around the city on the day of the event and be transported to the venue, revealed at the last minute en route.
"Sharing the anticipation and excitement with old and new friends is what makes Le Dîner en Blanc so special. Alongside the magical Le Dîner en Blanc rituals, we'll have music, entertainment and other goodies to get everyone involved in the spirit of the event," says Kimberley.
More than 100,000 foodies and cultural enthusiasts around the world are embracing the pop-up epicurean event with tickets extremely sought-after. The Paris edition now attracts more than 10,000 guests, with thousands more left hopeful of securing a ticket next year.
"We already have more than 1400 people signed up to receive an alert when tickets officially go on sale later this month," she says.
"Once the tickets are released, everyone pre-registered will have the chance to purchase tickets and it will be a matter of first in first served!"
Kimberley says once people have secured their tickets, they'll have several weeks to plan their outfits and get everything they need.
"Wearing white is a tradition held since the very first Le Dîner en Blanc in 1988 as a way for the organisers and their friends to find each other at the venue," she says.
"When it comes to the dress code, originality and creativity are encouraged. As long as the outfits are stylish and elegant - have fun with it! "
*To attend Le Dîner en Blanc Tauranga, sign up to the waiting list at tauranga.dinerenblanc.com/register. Tickets will be available six weeks before the event and availability will be announced via email.