Le Dîner en Blanc – Halifax

The countdown is on! Le Dîner en Blanc returns to Halifax in 47 days. The très chic picnic last year was so successful it attracted over 900 Haligonians and this year the numbers are estimated to easily top that.  That’s a whole lotta people dressed up in white.  It’s a worldwide event spanning 4 continents and over 40 countries. Le Dîner en Blanc, launched in Paris by Françoise Pasquier in 1988, now attracts more than 15,000 people each year. Diners meet at a predetermined departure point where some are bussed and some will walk to a secret location. This outdoor space is kept secret until half an hour before the dinner takes place.  The Halifax event is being hosted by Stacey O’Rourke and Lindsay Wadden.

If you’re not keen on bringing your own gourmet dinner basket or you just want to treat yourself, Le Dîner en Blanc – Halifax has partnered with Bistro Le Coq to provide gourmet picnic baskets that are specially crafted for the event. Each basket has enough food for 2 and there are 4 from which to choose. And where would this très chic picnic be without wine? Bishop’s Cellar will be offering a selection of wines and champagne that is purchased before the event.

Basket No. 1 – La Parisienne ($60 + hst)
chilled tomato soup with crème fraiche and smoked ham, sliced saucisson with fig jam and crostini, prosciutto wrapped asparagus, potato salad with cornichons and chives
– no bake raspberry cheesecake

Basket No. 2 – Le Bordeaux ($65 + hst)
house cured smoked duck breast, foie gras tourchon, saucisson and camembert with crackers, apple chutney, cornichons, chicken salad layered with avocado
coriander yogurt dressing and roasted chilled sliced beef, red current jelly, quinoa tabbouleh, ratatouille and duck fatted fingerling potatoes
– silky chocolate pot de crème

Basket No. 3 – Le Provencal ($70 + hst)
gazpacho, crème fraiche, herbs de provence, quiche with asparagus courgette and mushrooms, quinoa tabbouleh and bruschetta trio –
tomato and basil, goat cheese and beets, figs and caramelized onion
– baked peach in wine syrup topped with honey and vanilla yogurt

Basket No. 4 – La Normandie ($85 + hst)
chilled potato and watercress soup, roasted beets and baby arugula, blue mussels on the half shell with sherry vinaigrette, smoked salmon, smoked scallops, crab and artichoke dip
with house made pickled carrots and blue cheese spread with sliced bread
– black and white chocolate mousse

The Culinary Chase’s Note:  It was a pleasure sampling from each basket and will be a difficult task for me to choose only one!  This is going to be the white party of the year.  Enjoy!