DINE AROUND THOMPSON OKANAGAN SET TO KICK-OFF

(Kelowna, BC, January 17, 2017) – The British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) is excited to bring back the popular DINE AROUND THOMPSON OKANAGAN presented by the Wines of British Columbia January 18 to February 5, 2017.To kick-off the festival the BCRFA is hosting a launch party tonight at Okanagan College and is sold out with more than 300 people expected to be in attendance.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 5000 people are expected to take in the festival January 18 – February 5. A list of participating restaurants and their menus can be viewed online at www.okwineanddine.ca.“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.””We are thrilled to have the opportunity to promote the Wines of British Columbia and the BC Craft Brewers 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 and 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 incentive to the community to take in Dine Around by visiting participating restaurants Jan 18-Feb 5 you can enter to win $250 in restaurant gift cards by requesting a ballot entry form, completing and leaving 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, the community is encouraged to take a photo of your food and wine, spirit or beer pairing and then tag the restaurant you are visiting along with #dinearound2017 and post to twitter, facebook or instagram to be automatically entered, winners will be selected at random throughout the festival and there are more than twenty chances to win through social media.To follow the festival you can like the page on facebook.com/sipsavoursave follow @bcrfa on twitter and instagram and follow the hashtag #dinearound2017About the BC Restaurant and Foodservices AssociationThe BCRFA is the largest and most progressive industry organization in British Columbia. We area collective group of restaurant professionals devoted to the sole purpose of creating the most favourable business environment for our members.As the voice of BC restaurants, we are dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of our unique industry partners and restaurant members, providing valuable information and exclusive opportunities. Together, we help to improve business and achieve success. With more than 40 years experience, and with over 3,000 members, we continue to be the foremost resource for our industry.