AS a singer croons La Vie en Rose to 1,200 whiteclad diners all organized in rows across Jack Pole Plaza, chef Dale MacKay stands chatting to media, explaining his role in the festivities.
"I got involved because I know the organizers," MacKay says. "We weren't sure how it would go, so we kept the food simple. Inside the boxes are charcuterie, cheese, pasta salad, a baguette, and panna cotta - picnic items you can snack on."
This is Dîner en Blanc, a pop-up picnic first organized in Paris in the late '80s by a small group of friends. It's grown: in 2012, the flagship event drew almost 15,000 picnickers, and the dining phenomenon has spread to 27 cities around the world. Canada played host to four events this summer, in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, and Vancouver.
The rules for participation are strict: diners must be members of Diner en Blanc, or invited to attend. They must
