This is an extra special Friday as I get to feature not one, not two, but THREE
Columbus Socialites of the Week!
They happen to be the founders of tonight’s
Fête en Blanc.
What is
Fête en Blanc you ask?
Well it began with an idea of friends living in Paris about 20 years ago where they decided to organize a picnic in the
Bois de Boulogne and were told to dress in all white so that they would be able to find each other in the park! The picnic was a hit and immediately became an annual event, now known as the
Dîner en Blanc (an international organization hosting Dîners in cities all over the world).
Move forward to 2011 when
Genevieve Reiner,
Shawnie Kelley and
Mandy Jones came together and decided Columbus needed their own Dîner en Blanc and called it
Fête en Blanc, or White Feast (or Festival, Party, Celebration).
The 2nd annual event is tonight and the fun part is the location is not released until 3 p.m. today. Tickets can also be purchased up until 3 p.m. so if you haven’t bought yours yet, there are only a few hours left!
Last year the event was held at the Columbus Commons so I’m anxious to hear today where the event will be tonight!
I’m also anxious to hear more about the details and ideas that went into this annual event from the three founders!
Where are their favorite hidden gems of Columbus, how do they describe
Columbus Socialites and what’s there favorite Fête en Blanc memory?
GETTING TO KNOW...SHAWNIE KELLEY, MANDY JONES & GENEVIEVE REINER
(In order of picture)
SHAWNIE KELLEY:
Miss C.S. - By far Favorite thing to do in Columbus:
Shawnie: Eat!! One of the most surprising aspects I discovered when researching my travel guide for Columbus was the city's diversity, which is reflected in the diverse culinary offerings. I do love our city's passionate push to eat local and all of our chefs who maintain this philosophy.
Miss C.S. - Favorite Restaurant in the City:
Shawnie: I adore our two old-school steakhouses:
The Top and Hyde Park on Old Henderson.
Miss C.S. - Favorite Hidden Gem:
Shawnie: Made-to-order sushi from
Tensuke Market
Miss C.S. - Favorite Shop/Store:
Shawnie: My friendly neighborhood
Huffman's Market.
Miss C.S. - Best Party, Event or Scene in the City:
Shawnie:
Fête en Blanc, of course
Miss C.S. – Favorite local celebrity:
Shawnie:
AJ Perry of Sassafras Bakery. I'm a suckah for a good hand pie and I love sass!
Miss C.S. – Charity of Choice:
Shawnie: Animal-rescues and food charities.
Miss C.S. - Best Quality of a Person:
Shawnie: Sincerity
Miss C.S. – How long have you been in central Ohio:
Shawnie: 15 years, with a 4-year hiatus to Europe.
Miss C.S. – Favorite memory and/or location of past Fête en Blanc:
Shawnie: Year one, everyone dancing ankle deep in soggy grass with sparklers. It was beautiful!
Miss C.S. - Finish the sentence, “If I could do anything in the World, I would...”
Shawnie: ...Hole up in a French Villa with a revolving door of family and friends and write novels until my hands fall off.
Miss C.S. – Why Columbus? (live, work, play – you name it)
Shawnie: When deciding where to live after moving back from Europe, Columbus felt most like home and I met my husband who grew up here.
MANDY JONES:
Miss C.S. - By far Favorite thing to do in Columbus:
Mandy: Explore new restaurants and eat, eat, eat! The local foodie options are endless and amazing.
Miss C.S. - Favorite Restaurant in the City:
Mandy: My husband and I tied the knot in the wine cellar at
The Refectory so it holds a very special place in my heart.
Miss C.S. - Favorite Hidden Gem:
Mandy:
The Tensuke Market. Best. Sushi. Ever.
Miss C.S. - Favorite Shop/Store:
Mandy:
The Book Loft. I look forward to getting lost and finding a treasure or two deep in the stacks and stacks of books.
Miss C.S. - Best Party, Event or Scene in the City:
Mandy:
Fête en Blanc!
Miss C.S.. – Favorite local celebrity:
Mandy:
Jack Hanna. I spend a lot of time at the Columbus Zoo with my kids and I'm always thankful for what he's done for our city through his commitment to our incredible zoo.
Miss C.S. – Charity of Choice:
Mandy: Food charities and also those that support youth centers.
Miss C.S. - Best Quality of a Person:
Mandy: A sense of humor...and cooking skills. Laughter and food are my favorite combination!
Miss C.S. – How long have you been in central Ohio:
Mandy: I moved to Columbus 14 years ago, give or take a few years in between exploring other cities. Columbus is home and it drew me back for good about 5 years ago.
Miss C.S. – Favorite memory and/or location of past Fete en Blanc:
Mandy: Opening the event with everyone waiving their white linens in the air made me so proud! I knew then that no amount of rain or mud could keep us from having an amazing night.
Miss C.S. - Finish the sentence, “If I could do anything in the World, I would...”
Mandy: ...Move to France and open a Patisserie.
Miss C.S. – Why Columbus? (live, work, play – you name it)
Mandy: Columbus is so comfortable, yet exciting and fun. I'm never disappointed and always surprised by the new and wonderful things this city has to offer.
Miss C.S. - In ONE word, a Columbus Socialite is:
Mandy: Adventurous!
GENEVIEVE REINER:
Miss C.S. - By far Favorite thing to do in Columbus:
Genevieve: Eat! I love that we have exceptional farmer's market, artisan breweries, distilleries, and a dining scene that ranges from multi-course fancy to parking lot food truck.
Miss C.S. - Favorite Restaurant in the City:
Genevieve: I have a favorite for every genre or mood, but I have a consistent love for
Deepwood. The ambiance is warm and friendly, and the dishes and cocktails are thoughtfully crafted.
Miss C.S. - Favorite Hidden Gem:
Genevieve:
Fortune, a tiny Szechuan Chinese restaurant in a strip mall on Ackerman and Olentangy. It's super spicy, and as far as I can tell, pretty authentic.
Miss C.S. - Favorite Shop/Store:
Genevieve:
The North Market.
Miss C.S. - Best Party, Event or Scene in the City:
Genevieve: Aside from
Fete?
Miss C.S.. – Favorite local celebrity:
Genevieve:
Jaime Moore and
Adam Welly of
Wayward Seed Farm. They're passionate, innovative and I love their dedication to the promotion of heirloom vegetables.
Miss C.S. – Charity of Choice:
Genevieve:
Local Matters, of course! The staff is 100% dedicated to improving our local food system, ensuring that everyone has access to healthy food. In a world of fast food joints, over-sized sodas, and pre-packaged meals, they're introducing Columbus children to real fruits and vegetables and helping our community regain control of what they eat.
Miss C.S. - Best Quality of a Person:
Genevieve: Enthusiasm--it makes life infinitely more fun.
Miss C.S. – How long have you been in central Ohio:
Genevieve: I was born and raised here, did a brief stint in Boston for college, and then came back. The Midwest is best!
Miss C.S. – Tell us more behind the creation of Fete en Blanc:
Genevieve: We were inspired by the original French version, Diner en Blanc, which came to the US last year and was hosted in New York City. Shawnie, Mandy, and I decided it looked like a blast and we should have something like it in Columbus.
Over a couple of margaritas at El Vaquero, we figured it out and made it happen.
Miss C.S. – Favorite memory and/or location of past Fête en Blanc:
Genevieve: Watching an early group of guests arrive in fabulous outfits (think feathers and top hats) and seeing them set up beautifully crafted picnic table spreads. I knew then that the evening was going to be a success.
Miss C.S. – What can people expect this year (tonight) that is different (other than location):
Genevieve: More space, and under the night sky. Last year we made a last minute switch to a giant circus tent. We have a couple of other surprises in store as well.
Miss C.S. – Being a nonprofit, what made you decide to still give to another nonprofit, Local Matters, this year:
Genevieve: Last year we broke even on expenses and profits and decided that this year should we actually make money, we should donate it to a worthy cause. We never planned for Fete to be a money making venture, just an opportunity for a grand community celebration.
Miss C.S. - Should people be casual or more dressy in white? Suggestions for men?
Genevieve: It's as dressy or casual as you want it to be. The goal is for people to have fun and do something a little out of the ordinary. We know guys might not have white pants handy, so khakis are totally fine.
Miss C.S. - Finish the sentence, “If I could do anything in the World, I would...”
Genevieve: ...Eat my way around the globe, then come back home and try to recreate everything I ate in my kitchen.
Miss C.S. – Why Columbus? (live, work, play – you name it)
Genevieve: Columbus is friendly, inexpensive and more awesome than people give it credit for. I'm so proud to be from a city that is full of vibrant people and cool ideas.
Miss C.S. - In ONE word, a Columbus Socialite is:
Genevieve: Passionate
Thank you all and I think your idea and event is a fun addition to the Columbus events' scene! Best of luck with your event tonight! I also learned so many new places to try in our City that I wasn’t aware of! Fortune and The Tensuke Market, here I come!
For you readers out there, buy your ticket, (there are only a few left) wear your white, pack a picnic basket and enjoy a night of fun with your friends under the stars!
For more information, visit
www.feteenblanc.com and for an extra $5 added to your $10 ticket cost, this Fête Swag Bag can be all yours!
Eventing off (in white),
Miss C.S.
