For those who can only dream of attending a French En Blanc dinner – a gourmet meal in elegant surroundings with a like-minded crowd interested in benefiting nonprofits – a Chadds Ford resident has brought the concept closer to home.
Vince Moro said he tried to attend a Philadelphia version of the event – Diner en Blanc – several years ago, and it was sold out. Some friends suggested that he create his own, giving way to the debut of Brandywine in White (BIW).
Moro describes the event as an exquisite, pop-up gala, in which guests dress in white, pack elaborate picnic hampers and table settings and head to an exciting mystery location that will be disclosed a few days before the event. The only hint that Moro would provide is that area residents won’t have a long drive.
“It’s a lovely location with abundant natural beauty, as well as interesting history,” he said. “This year, we are pleased to be able to offer guests an opportunity to tour a unique property.”
Previous destinations have included Chadds Peak Farm in Pennsbury Township and Rockford Park in Wilmington. Each year’s event benefits a different good cause. Moro said.
“White Dinners" were inspired by a similar initiative in France and concurrently there's one every year in Philadelphia and other cities. “We wanted to bring this great idea to the country for others as an opportunity to gather and enjoy good food, wine and company together in a unique setting,” Moro said. “It's something you just don't do often, and we thought we'd make it a little easier for our guests by supplying tables, linens and chairs (white of course).”
Moro said his first event was held at his residence, Chadds Peak Farm, and pulled together in just a couple of weeks. Once the format was perfected, it spawned other variations: Brandywine in Black and Rehoboth in White. Last year's Brandywine In White supported Friends of Wilmington Parks with a $2,000 donation, and this past spring, Brandywine In Black filled all three levels of the Brandywine River Museum during the Jamie Wyeth retrospective resulting in a $4,000 check for the Young Friends of the Brandywine.
Moro said the Rehoboth event last year benefitted the Cape Henlopen Education Foundation with approximately $1,000, which was earmarked for its anti-bullying program.
This year’s BIW will take place on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 5:30 to10 p.m.; Moro said the beneficiary has yet to be determined.
Here’s how the event works: Guests dress all in white and pack hampers and coolers filled with gourmet food, table settings, and their favorite beverages. Tables and chairs await them at the venue. Guests can make arrangements to be seated at a community table or plan a table for two, four, six, or eight friends or family, Moro said.
The evening will include music, dancing, and a prize for the best decorated table. Tickets are $30 per person, with discounts for tables of eight. For ticket information, click here .
To learn more about the event, visit www.facebook.com/BrandywineinWhite, a page that even includes suggestions on acquiring attire. It also features a video showcasing scenes from past events at https://www.facebook.com/BrandywineinWhite/videos/997435580278600/?video_source=pages_finch_main_video.
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