DINE AROUND OKANAGAN KICKS OFF IN TIME FOR WINTER APPETITES
By Roslyne Buchanan.
Ever popular DINE AROUND OKANAGAN returns January 15 to February 2, 2020 by the British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) and sponsored by the Wines of British Columbia and Tourism Kelowna.
If the launch held at Okanagan College Kelowna is an indication of how anxious the Okanagan Valley is to get out there and support local establishments, 2020 will be a DINE AROUND OKANAGAN to remember. Despite a chilly night, a sold-out crowd of more than 350 people nibbled and slurped their way through delicious representations of what to expect.
Most of the restaurants presenting at the launch had their DINE AROUND OKANAGAN menus on hand so guests could be tantalized to reserve a table. While the presenting establishments didn’t replicate what to expect, the appetizers and beverages provided tasty insight.
Multi-course menus are featured at 50 restaurants throughout the Okanagan for $15, $25, $35, $45 or $55 with suggested BC VQA wine pairings, BC Craft Beer pairings or spirits and cocktail pairings. With more than 8,000 people expected to participate, it’s a good idea to make a reservation or two at various participating restaurants. When you arrive, request the Dine Around menu and be prepared for a thoughtfully designed meal. See a list of participating restaurants and menus online at www.dinearound.ca.
New in 2020 is complementary Dine Around and Stay packages. Three Okanagan restaurants including Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort, Eldorado Resort and Watermark Resort are offering packages. For more information visit the Dine Around website: Dine Around, Sip and Stay.
“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, it’s a win-win for the consumer and our member restaurants.”
Christina Ferreira, Dine Around coordinator noted, “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.”
Extra incentive to partake in Dine Around is offered by the BCRFA: From January 15 to February 2 at the participating restaurants, you can enter to win $350 in restaurant gift cards by requesting a passport entry form, completing and leaving it at the restaurant. There are more chances to win throughout the festival by using social media to be eligible to win $25 gift cards from participating restaurants. To enter, take a photo of your food and wine, spirit or beer pairing and tag the restaurant you are visiting along with #dinearound2020 and post to Facebook or Instagram to be automatically entered. Winners will be selected at random throughout the festival with more than 20 chances through social media.
Track the festival by liking the page on facebook.com/sipsavoursave following @bctastesbetter on Twitter and Instagram and following the hashtag #dinearound2020
The BCRFA is the largest and most progressive industry organization in British Columbia. The voice of BC restaurants, it is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of its unique industry partners and restaurant members, providing valuable information and exclusive opportunities with a goal to improve business and achieve success. The BCRFA has more than 40 years’ experience and over 3,000 members. For further information see https://www.bcrfa.com/
Photos by: Roslyne Buchanan.
