By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph Restaurant Week will return in February giving people the opportunity to try out some new places to eat in town.
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Natalie Redmond says winter is typically a slower time for restaurants.
"So, it's designed to kind of drive some economy to them," Redmond tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr.
During last year’s restaurant week, a charity component was added with the Open-Door Food Kitchen.
Redmond says that will return this year as well, with donations benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank.
"So, if you go to a restaurant, you can click on the QR code and give a donation to support Second Harvest," Redmond explains. "And if we raise $20,000, we have a match for $20,000 to support Second Harvest, our local community food bank."
Redmond says the week is designed to get people to try some new restaurants they might normally not.
"Now support your favorites as well, but it's designed to be like oh I haven't been to this cafe' downtown, I'm going to go check them out and try them," Redmond says.
Redmond says the event also asks restaurant owners to make a special menu, which gives owners a chance to experiment with new items.
"For example, Belle Epoque wanted to try a vegan menu because they weren't sure if that would go over well," Redmond points out. "So, restaurant week gives them an opportunity to try something that they maybe wouldn't normally try to see if there's a market for it."
Redmond says following restaurant week Belle Epoque did end up adding those items due to its success.
Registration is currently underway for the event, which will run February 16th through the 26th.
Redmond says the event is held in February, because this is a time of year that’s normally hard on restaurants.
Redmond says in these colder months, restaurant week provides a great amenity to the community.
"It gives you something fun to go do on a gloomy winter day," Redmond says.
Redmond says on days that are grey and cold, it's hard to motivate yourself to get out of the house
"You don't want to go out and do anything, you can't go to the park, or go spend time outside," Redmond says. "So, you might as well go try a new restaurant."
A full list of restaurants will be available before the start of the event. You can view that list when its available at Stjrestaurantweek.com