Mushroom Tortellini (submitted photo/Old Vines Restaurant at Quails' Gate winery )

By Kevin Rothwell

8,000 will take part

Dine Around event returns with COVID-19 changes

Feb 3, 2021 | 4:01 PM

This year’s ‘Dine Around Okanagan’ will have some changes to accommodate public health order restrictions, like take-out and the foodie festival will run for a month instead of the normal two and half weeks.

The annual launch party which was a February social highlight was cancelled.

While there are dozens of restaurants from Kelowna, Lake Country, West Kelowna, Penticton and Osoyoos taking part, there are no Vernon eateries on the list.

The restaurant sector has been hit especially hard by the pandemic.

“This is great for restaurants as we help promote their businesses during what has been a challenging year,” Ian Tostenson, president and CEO of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association, said. “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.”

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Restaurants feature a three-course menu at different price points from $15 to $55 with suggested BC VQA wine pairings, B.C. Craft Beer pairings or spirits and cocktail pairings.

A list of participating restaurants and their menus can be viewed online at www.dinearound.ca with the majority of restaurants offering take-out as an option this year.

There are other added incentives in 2021 to reward diners for attending the event.

You can scan the QR code on restaurant posters and complete the form to be entered to win $350 in restaurant gift cards.

There are also chances to win throughout the festival by winning $25 gift cards from participating restaurants by using social media. To enter you can take a photo of your food and wine, spirit or beer pairing and then tag the restaurant you are visiting along with #dinearound2020 and post to Facebook or Instagram.

The British Columbia Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA), the Wines of British Columbia and B.C. Dairy sponsor the event from Feb. 5 to March 7, 2021.