A traditional “napkin wave” started the White Picnic at Knoxville Botanical Garden last Saturday.
In Paris, the traditional Le Diner en Blanc, also known as the White Picnic, attracts upwards of 10,000 folks. In Knoxville, I thought the 150 or so who gathered at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum last Saturday for our version of it was a pretty impressive turnout.
Here’s how it works. The organizers — Debbie Allen and Mary Collins-Shepard — send a “save the date” email a few weeks out. But the folks on the email list don’t know the secret location of the event until the afternoon of the day it’s going to happen. That’s when they get another email telling them where to come.
In Paris, where this all started, it’s so as not to alert the authorities — and to preserve the clandestine nature of the soiree. That’s part of the strategy here, too. When the picnic is held on public property — like last year’s, which was at Volunteer Landing — the laws prohibiting alcohol can be problematic. That’s why attendees are urged not to bring beverages in their original containers, but, instead, to pour them into something else.
Kandyce Harber lights a candle for romantic ambience at the White Picnic.
A long list of other rules also apply. Participants must dress in white, have white table linens, real white plates and real cutlery — no plastic. And, something tricky, you must be able to carry all your picnic items — including your table and chairs — from your car to the picnic location in one single trip. This calls for creative packing, for sure.
Several folks meeting up with friends had small tailgate parties in the parking lot while waiting for the official group march to the picnic location. And the organizers generously doled out complimentary mojitos and white cosmopolitans while everyone gathered.
Anyway, it’s a ton of fun. Having it at the Knoxville Botanical Garden eliminated the concern about public alcohol consumption. I hope it’s held at an equally tolerant location next year, as well. I don’t think getting arrested would be that much fun.
Here are my cohorts gathered in the parking lot before the group march to the picnic. From left, my husband, Alan Carmichael, and Richard and Dawn Ford.
Mary Collins-Shepard, one of the organizers.
From left, Sharon Deaver, Johnna Easter and Megan Venable. We ran into them in the parking lot and plotted to put our tables next to each other.
The picnic was on a huge terraced area of the Botanical Garden. Here’s the beginning of the unloading process.
More unpacking.
It was great seeing our friend Michael Moore.
That’s our buddy Vicki Williams-Baumgartner in the white hat. She was instrumental in securing the Botanical Garden as a location. Love the fans at her table that say, “French Broads!”
Organizer Debbie Allen welcomed everyone.
Time to dig in!
The simplest food tastes great in a setting like this!
We loved Johnna’s tiny little grapes.
Megan brought some fans left over from her wedding day! They came in handy.
Their table also had this delicacy on display.
Since this was our first time at this event, we decided to keep the food simple. I made this tuna salad that I first had at a restaurant in Paris called Le Dauphine. I like it for picnics because it features olive oil rather than mayo. We just heaped it onto slices of baguette.
Another course at our table.
And cheese, naturally.
Richard enjoying the repast.
Music was by Chuck French, right, and his son, C.J. French. They call themselves “The French Connection.” Ha. (Photo by Megan Venable)
Here we are. (Photo by Johnna Easter)
And who doesn’t love sparklers?
And more sparklers?
And still more sparklers?
Thanks so much to the organizers. We already are making plans for next year.
Sparklers make everything awesome. (And Cynthia is on the Blue Streak! Is that art imitating life imitating art?)
Maria: As you know, I’m not crazy about having my picture made, but this was such a fun evening that I made an exception. Agree about the sparklers!
Bravo! Beautiful!
Cynthia, do you share your tuna salad recipe? It looks delicious!
Maria we insisted she use that photo as she looks great. Maybe next year a girl’s outing.
Thank you, Dawn. You are very kind. I do think a girls’ outing would be great fun.
Gretchen: Sure. Happy to share the tuna recipe. Here it is.
Tuna Le Dauphine
Dump these things together:
(Drain them, but reserve the liquid.)
4 (5-oz.) cans imported tuna in olive oil (I used Cento)
3 small jars (6 oz.) quartered marinated artichoke hearts. Cut each quarter in half.
Half of a 16-oz. jar of deli-sliced roasted red peppers. (Mine were in water, but I have used those in oil and they are fine.)
Half cup calamata olives (halved)
Small container of grape tomatoes, halved or quartered depending on size
About 4 tablespoons capers
Heaping tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Squeeze in the juice of two lemons
Now, the part where you have to use your judgment.
Pour a good glug of olive oil over everything. Add some salt and good grinding of pepper and gently toss. Taste.
Now, you will start to add things. I added several tablespoons of the reserved artichoke marinade. It’s nice and garlicky and has other spices. I also added a lesser amount of the roasted red pepper marinade (water or oil, either one you are using). You might want to add more olive oil or lemon juice. I added more thyme. See if you want to add more olives or capers.
When you get it where you want it, serve in a pretty bowl. Garnish with some fresh chives. Serve with sliced baguette.
Looks like a lot of fun. Cynthia, Such a good picture!!!
Thanks, Monique. Want to go next year?
Wherever did you find the figs? Love them!
Looks like an absolutely fabulous evening! I echo Maria about the sparklers! Bravo!
Deborah: My friend Dawn brought the figs. Not sure where she got them. Will ask her. My guess: Trader Joe’s.
Savanna: How sweet of you to post! Thanks so much. It was fun.
Fran Scheidt is on the list and we planned to come. But I just can’t stand the heat these days. We didn’t make it. (Went to Bonefish Grill for martinis and seafood.)!So glad to know where the location was and hope it’s a little cooler next year!
I want to go next year!
Jackie: You should join us! Dawn and I are putting together a girls’ group.
Me too!
Debbie Jones: OK! Yay!
Sounds like a wonderfully fun evening. Doug and I would like to join you guys as well. I am going to try the tuna recipe. Sounds delicious.
OK — now you have started something. Everyone wants to go! So glad you included the tuna salad recipe – I love all the foods you listed and I’m always looking for something new. If there’s a girls only event or couples, one or both of us would love to be a part of it!
I must have written too many words because the Comment section ominously says, “awaiting moderation!”
Well, Marsha, here’s how I look at it. Everybody can come! If Paris can accommodate more than 10,000, we can make room for several hundred more!
About the “awaiting moderation” message: I have the blog set so that I have to approve every comment before it gets posted. That way robots or just hateful trolls can’t use my blog to get their evil messages out. Make sense?
My group passed on it this year, but I’m happy that the event was held–and hopefully will continue to be held–in a less “arresting” locale. Nothing like almost getting arrested to put a damper on an evening. I’m a big fan of your Tuna Dauphin & agree it’s a great choice for the occasion. Hoping we can re-join the festivities next year! It’s the only time I wear the only white dress I own.
Gay: Let’s put our groups close together next year!
Let’s do it! It’s pretty easy. You just have to line up & walk in together. They won’t announce the date until next summer, but it’s generally around the same time every year, so you can sort of plan on 2nd or 3rd Saturday in August.
I ran into one of the organizers tonight (told her how much we appreciate her) and she said they may move it to June when heat is less of an issue. Here’s hoping they do. (But I will come whenever it is!)
That looks SO fun! I want to go next year!!!! What a great idea!
Gina: I will forward the email to you when I get it next year!
We’d love to come next year! May we be included on email list? Thank you! What fun!
Madeline: When I get email next year, I will forward to everyone who commented on this blog that they were interested. Thanks for reading!
Cynthia, I am new to Knoxville, and was turned onto your blog by my new friend Lauren Miller! Absolutely loving it, thank you for sharing!! I would love to be included in this event next year–looks like a ball!!
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