A New chapter – A New 2026 Team
As Diner en Blanc Dallas prepares for its ninth edition on Saturday, September 19, a new local team is behind the scenes bringing fresh energy, deep Dallas roots, and more than 100 years of combined event experience to one of the city's most distinctive social traditions.
Led by Host Cheryl Weis and supported by a team that includes Katy King, Cortnie Davis, Vicky Riley, and Tanara Martin, this year's leadership brings together professionals experienced in producing large-scale events, building community partnerships, creating memorable guest experiences and, importantly, understanding Dallas.
Most of the team are native Dallasites, making this year's event especially personal.
For the new team, 2026 is about more than producing another beautiful evening in white. It is about beginning a new chapter for Diner en Blanc Dallas and returning to the spirit that inspired the original event in Paris: friends gathering around a table, meaningful connection, beautiful food, unexpected moments and the feeling that, for one evening, the rest of the world can wait.
Meet Host Cheryl Weis
At the helm of this new chapter is Cheryl Weis, a Dallas native, longtime event professional and founder of Dallas-based event production firm EventWeis. Cheryl brings extensive experience producing complex, large-scale events, along with a project-management background that shapes how she approaches every experience: thoughtful planning behind the scenes so guests can simply enjoy the moment once they arrive.
Taking on Dîner en Blanc Dallas is also personal. Having been born and raised in Dallas, Cheryl sees the event as an opportunity to bring an internationally celebrated tradition to the city she has called home throughout her life, and to create an experience that feels distinctly Dallas while honoring the Parisian roots of Dîner en Blanc.
“What I'm most looking forward to this year is bringing the Parisian experience to the heart of Dallas. I want guests to feel like they've stepped out of their everyday lives for a few hours and into something completely different -beautiful, unexpected and genuinely fun. More than anything, I want people gathering around the tables, connecting with each other and leaving already excited about next year.”
That vision is especially fitting for the 2026 global theme. While Paris provides the inspiration, Cheryl and the Dallas team are putting their own local touch on the experience. Guests can expect an evening that goes well beyond dinner, with live entertainment, music throughout the night, memorable photo opportunities and a few carefully guarded surprises waiting at the secret location.
Meet co-host Sandy Safi from Diner en Blanc International
Sandy Safi started her Diner en Blanc adventure in 2011, when she drew on her network and experience to help bring the first American Diner en Blanc to New York. She co-founded Diner en Blanc International in 2012 and became the sole owner of the Diner en Blanc trademark and company in 2022.
Above all, Sandy is passionate about encouraging creativity and connecting culinary communities around the world. She has been producing the annual Diner en Blanc events in New York and Montreal while sharing her passion, expertise, and deep understanding of the uniqueness and richness of the Diner en Blanc concept with cities around the world.
“I am delighted to contribute my firsthand knowledge and years of experience with the Diner en Blanc concept to the Dallas team and our guests. Having been part of this extraordinary journey for so many years, it is always a pleasure to share what makes Diner en Blanc so special while seeing each city bring its own personality and energy to the experience,” says Sandy.
A Team Effort
Behind Cheryl and Sandy is a local team helping bring every part of the evening together.
Vicky Riley, Cortnie Davis, Katy King and Tanara Martin bring expertise spanning communications, marketing, partnerships, sponsorships, guest engagement, event operations and volunteers. Together, the team is working toward one shared goal: creating an experience that feels welcoming, elevated and unmistakably Diner en Blanc.
That includes ensuring that the story being told about Diner en Blanc Dallas reflects the city itself.
Dallas is a diverse community, and Diner en Blanc is an invitation for people across the city who love great food, fashion, music, culture and memorable experiences to gather at one extraordinary table.
Whether you've attended Diner en Blanc before or have only seen the sea of white in photographs, the new team wants 2026 to feel like an invitation to experience it for yourself.
Saturday, September 19, 2026
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2026 Theme : Une Soirée Parisienne - La Belle Époque
Put on your finest white attire and
become part of the next chapter of Diner en Blanc Dallas.
The location will remain secret.
A few of the surprises will too.
Because some nights are meant to be experienced - not simply
seen through your social media feed afterward.
