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Ricardo's is taking part in the Eat and Drink B.C. event this month.
When Ricardo Scebba goes about planning his menu, like a growing number of Kelowna chefs, he makes sure locally grown goods are top of mind.
“They are better,” he said from his restaurant, Ricardo’s, on the first day of Eat and Drink B.C. promotion, which will allows area residents a chance to get a high-end three course meal at a reasonable cost.
“They’re higher quality and you’re keeping with the 100 mile (diet) radius goal.”
Those are features that customers appreciate and they’re driving the industry in a new direction, explained Mark Golbey, food and beverage manager at Manteo Resort.
“It’s really an up and coming trend,” he said. “A lot of restaurants have it as their focus looking forward, and we’re even asking our suppliers to bring us B.C. products.”
The economics behind buying local is sound, as well. Rosanne Ting-Nak, member services manager for the Okanagan branch of the B.C. Restaurant and Food Association explained the program has multiple effects for the province’s economy. Dining programs with consumer value drives much needed restaurant sales, chefs and restaurateurs support local growers when they buy their product, and marketing encourages consumers to buy local whenever and wherever they can.
When restaurants use local products, it’s estimated 90 cents of every dollar goes back into the local economy.
The fourth annual Eat and Drink BC! program launched today, and promises to deliver some of the province’s best dishes in over 150 participating establishments. Restaurants will be providing either a three course menu — at under $20, under $30 or $40 — or a B.C. Bundle which consists of one or two uniquely B.C. items.
To find out which local restaurants are involved and to get a peek at their menus click here.
kathy@kelowna.com
250-575-0761
Tags: Eat and Drink B.C.
