Downtown 91原创 Business Association鈥檚 (DLBA) annual Fork and Finger event attracted thousands to 91原创鈥檚 downtown area and McBurney Plaza 鈥� some coming all the way from downtown Vancouver.

On Saturday, Aug. 27, people gathered at the plaza to enjoy live music, free live cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef Spencer Watts and award-winning barbecue pitmaster Kevin Legge, and collect their Fork and Finger passports.

The passport allowed the attendees to visit any of the 14 participating restaurants, try their food samples for just $5, and be entered into a draw to win $1,000 DLBA Downtown Dollars.

Teri James, executive director of the association, said the event was created to benefit the restaurants and the community. If people can try the food from a restaurant for a nominal fee, it is more likely to entice them back to check out more of the menu offerings.

鈥淛udging by the volume of people here today, everyone would agree that this is an awesome event,鈥� James commented.

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Coming from downtown Vancouver, Harpreet Singh and his friend drove 40-kilometres for the event.

But the duo said the experience was worthwhile.

鈥淲e are having a great time and we are here to see what 91原创 has to offer,鈥� said Singh.

The two friends planned on visiting almost every restaurant on the list to try the $5 samples and enter the draw. Singh and a friend weren鈥檛 the only ones hopping from one restaurant to another on Saturday, Aug. 27.

91原创 resident Carol was on the way to her fourth stop when 91原创 Advance Times caught her enjoying samosas with her daughter.

Her favourite was Kooben Cafe鈥檚 tasting platter, which included a mini soda drink, ham and cheese sandwich, and a mini cupcake.

鈥淔resh and nice food. I am enjoying myself. I think more people should come and enjoy every year,鈥� she commented.

She, too, planned on visiting almost all the restaurants on the list.

For restaurant staff members, too, it was a busy day as the Fork and Finger event brought hundreds to their establishments. All 14 participating restaurants saw long lineups throughout the day.

READ MORE: Downtown 91原创鈥檚 most delicious event returns!

As Kooben Cafe鈥檚 Narayani Patel swiftly prepared food and drinks for people who had lined up outside the cafe, she told 91原创 Advance Times that about 100 sampler platters were sold within a few hours of the event鈥檚 start.

She further thanked DLBA for organizing the event.

鈥淲e are grateful that we have a business in downtown 91原创,鈥� she said.

One of James鈥檚 favourite events, Fork and Finger, is also DLBA鈥檚 signature event.

The day ended with chef Watts鈥� Creole lobster bisque demonstration. The lobster salad, Louisiana corn succotash, and old bay cream had all the foodies lined up in long queues for free samples.

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