What's Cooking on 1060: Diner en Blanc Returns For 5th Year
By Hadas Kuznits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The preview party for Philadelphia's famous annual "elegant pop-up picnic" took place earlier this week.
Diner en Blanc co-host Kayli Moran says she's thrilled to be talking about the 5th anniversary of her event.
"This year, we're aiming for 5,000 people. We originally started with 1300 back in 2012 and it has just grown!"
The secret location picnic in which guests dress all in white will be held on August 18th -- but registration begins July 5th and will take place in three consecutive phases.
"Phase one is for returning guests; people who paid and attended last year and then phase two is for friends of people who registered during phase one. So the idea is you have so much fun, you want to bring a friend with you next year; and then phase three, what we do is we keep open spots for people who are on our waiting list."
Over the years, Diner en Blanc has inspired numerous copy-cat events.
"Well, they always say you know, imitation is the best form of flattery."
And while many have strong feelings about Diner en Blanc, Moran says she's thrilled folks are moved to organize their own events based on what she and co-host Natanya DiBona have created.
"By all means, please, we want people to feel inspired to go out and have picnics in public spaces!"
Guests pay a fee to register. They bring their own food, tables, settings and chairs. She says the experience takes work and it's not for everyone.
"You know what, you know, I hate running and I would never pay money for a marathon; but I have friends who do ultra-running and marathons all the time and that's something that they really enjoy and this event, Diner en Blanc, is something that foodies and other people with a sense of adventure, they really look forward to every summer."
Hear the full podcast (runs 10:47)…
And for this week, that's "What's Cooking on 1060!"
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