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TASTE OF KNOXVILLE RESTAURANT WEEK KICKOFF PREVIEWS SPECIAL MENUS

February 12, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 12, 2014

For more information,
Contact: Amanda Shell
Moxley Carmichael
(865) 255-0661

[title] Participating eateries to be announced for 4th annual event

The public, elected officials and community leaders are invited to a free kickoff event and free preview of Knoxville Restaurant Week’s special menus at Taste of Knoxville Restaurant Week at the Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay St., on Feb. 18 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The full roster of more than 30 participating restaurants will be announced, and several will provide complimentary samples of what guests can expect from the fourth annual Knoxville Restaurant Week.

From March 2-7, Knoxville diners will be treated to a special week of great meals for a great cause. Three-course meals will be offered at a special fixed price of $25 or $35 at the participating local restaurants.

Knoxville “foodies” can now make reservations at their favorite dining spots. Guests are encouraged to make reservations early, as popular restaurants fill quickly.

“I hear from people who look forward to Restaurant Week all year. You can’t beat the fine dining cuisine at great fixed prices,” said Elaine Streno, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. “Every year, Knoxville Restaurant Week keeps growing, and last year, we doubled the number of participating restaurants. I am grateful for everyone who participates – from our sponsors and restaurants to the diners.”

Restaurant Week fans will be glad to know that past favorites, including Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Fleming’s, The Melting Pot, Chesapeake’s and The Orangery are returning with sumptuous new specialty menus. There are also several new participating restaurants, including Parkside Grill and C&C Bistro.

Diners can go to the newly revamped Knoxville Restaurant Week website, http://www.knoxvillerestaurantweek.com, to view the full list of participating restaurants and browse menus. To make a reservation for this special week, restaurants should be contacted directly, and contact information is listed on the website.

In addition to the great deals offered to local diners, Knoxville Restaurant Week benefits the East Tennessee region in three key ways. First, it drives traffic to restaurants at a typically slow period for the dining industry. Second, Knoxville enjoys increased economic activity by residents and visitors going out to eat. Third, Second Harvest Food Bank receives donations to feed the hungry and help the one in six East Tennesseans living in poverty.

Last year, Restaurant Week raised more than $49,000 that provided meals for more than 147,000 needy East Tennesseans. Since its first year in 2011, Knoxville Restaurant Week has helped provide meals to more than 250,000 East Tennesseans.

“Knoxville Restaurant Week benefits everyone involved,” Streno said. “This event feeds thousands of hungry East Tennesseans, while providing an excellent dining experience for patrons and driving sales and economic impact to the restaurants. That’s why this fundraiser is so much fun.”

Pilot Flying J is the presenting sponsor of the event. Other sponsors include more than 30 leading Knoxville restaurants, KaTom Restaurant Supply, US Foods, the City of Knoxville, Knox County, Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association, the Knoxville News Sentinel and Moxley Carmichael.

Knoxville restaurants may still register to participate by visiting the website or calling Elaine Streno at 865-243-8216.

About Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, a member of Feeding America, has worked to eliminate hunger since 1982. In 2012, this organization provided food for more than 12.2 million meals in 18 counties in East Tennessee. With nine major programs and 525 Agency/Food Partners, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee serves approximately 168,000 people each month.