It was damp, but even so, organizers of this year鈥檚 annual in downtown 91原创 City are reporting attendance was up.

The event, which offers visitors a chance to try sample dishes at downtown dining places, as well getting tips from top chefs and enjoying live music, drew between 1,000 and 1,200 people throughout the day, said Teri James, the executive director of the Downtown 91原创 Business Association (DLBA).

鈥淎ttendance was slightly up from last year despite the rain,鈥� James said.

There were 16 participating restaurants.

Most reported between 150 and 200 of their sampler dishes were consumed.

鈥淲e handed out over 700 passports,鈥� which participants could use to visit restaurants for $5 sampler plates and return the passports for prizes once they visited at least three establishments.

Of the 700 passports issued, 550 were completed and returned to be drawn for 鈥渄owntown dollars.鈥�

Two people won $100, two won $200 and one person won $400.

James said the live cooking demonstrations in McBurney Plaza, held under temporary tent shelters to keep the audience and demonstrators dry, were 鈥渉igh energy and very well attended.鈥�

鈥淲e will definitely be hosting a fork and finger event in 2019,鈥� she said.

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Among the featured chefs was high-profile chef , creator and host of the television series Surreal Gourmet, and Glutton for Punishment, and a producer and host of World鈥檚 Weirdest Restaurants.

During one presentation, Blumer made his Ultimate Salmon Burger, which uses BC fresh, wild salmon with aioli, guacamole and lemon.

Chef Anya Keefe, chocolatier and owner of Appetite for Success provided what was billed as 鈥渁 crash course in the basics of flavour and taste perception.鈥�

Big Dog Barbecue pitmaster Kevin Legge was handing out samples all day, fresh off the grill.

dan.ferguson@langleytimes.com
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