KELOWNA – The British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) has brought back the popular Dine Around Thompson Okanagan, presented by the Wines of British Columbia, between January 17 and February 4.
To kick-off the festival the BCRFA hosted a launch party January 16 at Okanagan College. The party was sold out with more than 300 people attending.
For the next two and a half weeks more than 50 restaurants throughout the Thompson Okanagan are featuring a three course menu for $15, $25, $35 or $45 with suggested BC VQA wine pairings, BC Craft Beer pairings, or spirits and cocktail pairings.
Guests can visit the participating restaurants and ask for their Dine Around menu. Reservations are encouraged as more than 8000 people are expected to take in the festival. A list of participating restaurants and their menus can be viewed online.
“This festival is great for restaurants as we help promote their businesses during what has been traditionally a slow time of year,” comments Ian Tostenson, President/CEO BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association. “Consumers also appreciate it as they have the opportunity to sip, savour and save with these delicious three course menus for such incredible prices. Many residents take the opportunity to get out and try restaurants that they may not have ever been to or don’t visit often enough, so it’s a win win for the consumer and our member restaurants.”
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to promote the Wines of British Columbia during the Dine Around Thompson Okanagan Festival. This is an excellent opportunity for local restaurants, wineries and breweries to focus locally and showcase how well BC VQA wines, BC Craft Beer and Craft Spirits pair with our local foods,” comments Christina Ferreira, coordinator Dine Around Thompson Okanagan.
The BCRFA is also adding more incentivefor residents to take in Dine Around. Those who visit participating restaurants between January 17 to February 4 can enter to win $250 in restaurant gift cards. Guests just need to request a ballot entry form, complete it, and leave it at the restaurant.
There are also chances to win throughout the festival by winning $25 gift cards from participating restaurants by using social media. To enter, restaurant guests are encouraged to take a photo of their food and wine, spirit or beer pairing and post it on social media, with a tag back to the restaurant visited and the hashtag #dinearound2018.
Posts toTwitter, Facebook or Instagram are automatically entered. Winners will be selected at random throughout the festival for the more than twenty chances to win.
To follow the festival you can like the facebook page, follow @bctastesbetter on Twitter and Instagram and track the hashtag #dinearound2018.