Want your favorite restaurants to keep going? Support them

• Over 100 restaurants in B.C. participating in program
• Helps promote local businesses during slow season
• Allows people to stay local, while trying something new

Restaurants, hotels, and small businesses rely on locals to support them, and the next three weeks are crucial to these establishments staying alive in what is traditionally a quiet time.

However, it’s fair to say the hospitality sector has had a very tough time for almost two years because of the pandemic.

Starting Jan 19 and running through Feb. 10, a number of restaurants and accommodations in Kelowna and the Central Okanagan are involved in Dine Around - Sip, Savour and Stay, offering both dine-in and dine & stay packages.

Three-course meals range in price, from $20 to $60 per person, excluding tax and BC wine, beer or spirit pairings.

Operations director at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort, Delco McEvoy, told Kelowna10 the initiative gives a new meaning to the name ‘staycation.'

“It allows people to get out of their house. With all the travel restrictions it’s been very difficult, but staying local and being able to feel like you’re getting away is very meaningful for people,” he said.

McEvoy added that being part of the community is hugely important, and supporting local is one of his main priorities.

“We’ve had people from all over the Okanagan, [and] all over B.C. for that matter, coming to stay at the resort and being able to really have a staycation with their family,” McEvoy said.

COVID-19 has made it challenging for the hotel, especially in the restaurant.

“Things are changing sometimes daily… and it’s challenging on the associates as well,” McEvoy said.

He said being short staffed, and public health orders changing often, makes it harder for them to deliver services to guests.

Despite the setbacks, McEvoy’s enjoyment for the job is apparent, and his favorite thing about it is interacting with different people.

“I’ve lived here a few years now and every single day I find something new that’s amazingly beautiful and something more and more to appreciate for sure,” he said.

Owner of Mid-Town Station Kitchen + Drink, David Lindsay, said the initiative gives their culinary teams an opportunity to either try some new items, or pair some things differently than they normally would.

“[Dine Around] provides people an opportunity to maybe try some places they’ve never been to before,” Lindsay said, adding his establishment has been involved for a number of years.

“I think there’s so many great spots that Kelowna has to offer, and I think that’s the catalyst of us continuing to grow, is the local community getting behind all the local businesses.”

Lindsay is excited about the program and the opportunity to see some new guests, as well as some regular faces, too.

“I love the social side of the business when it comes to certainly our guests, and also our teams, and just watching our teams do amazing things on a daily basis.”