Foodies and residents alike will have the opportunity to sample the wonderful flavours of Bragg Creek during its inaugural food and wine festival and the first course is being served March 1.

During the month of March restaurants, coffee shops and wine merchants will be presenting two events including Dine in Bragg Creek and its kick-off event, Taste of Bragg Creek, which will be held on March 1 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bragg Creek Community Centre. Not only is it intended to promote the Bragg Creek’s restaurant scene, but it will also be a fundraiser for the Bragg Creek Community Association (BCCA).

Charlie Holschuh, former owner of the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, said the Taste of Bragg Creek food and wine festival will highlight local merchants who will sell food and beverage samples at specialty themed booths.

“Taste of Bragg Creek is a great opportunity for local restaurants and food and liquor merchants to showcase their menus and products,” said Holschuh.

Josef Wiewer, who owns the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and the newly renovated The Italian Farmhouse Ristorante & Bar (formerly Madrina’s Ristorante), said he is pleased admission is free for the Taste of Bragg Creek event.

“That is unlike any other food and wine festival in Alberta,” said Wiewer. “We will be able to offer a ‘taste’ of our food for a low price.”

Tasting tickets will be available at the door for $1.50 each, and merchants will sell their food and beverage samples for between one and three tickets.

“I hope everyone who attends has a great night and comes back to visit Bragg Creek,” said Wiewer. “We have lots of fun places for a meal, a snack or a good pint.”

Rose Dallyn, owner of The PowderHorn Saloon, said merchants want to be involved because the event is something new and exciting for the community.

“I think the turnout will be fantastic,” she said.

Dallyn said people do not realize the hamlet of Bragg Creek, just 30 minutes from Okotoks, has restaurants with great atmospheres, lower than average prices and skilled chefs.

“Bragg Creek has more independent restaurants than other neighbouring communities,” she said. “That makes us unique.”

While also promoting Bragg Creek’s unique restaurant scene, Holschuh and Jane Boyce, the creators of the festival, hope Taste of Bragg Creek raises funds for the Bragg Creek Community Association.

“I hope it will be a successful fundraiser for the BCCA,” said Boyce.

BCCA president Sunil Mattu said his association is proud to work with local, talented restaurateurs and businesses to help make this event a success.

“This event is yet another way for us to celebrate everything that is Bragg Creek,” said Mattu. “We hope that Creekers and food lovers from Calgary, Cochrane and Okotoks come and enjoy the Taste of Bragg Creek.”

Holschuh and Boyce also said they hope the Taste of Bragg Creek will become a tradition in the community.

“We want Taste of Bragg Creek to become an annual event,” said Holschuh. “We are counting on the support of the community.”

Dallyn said local merchants will participate again if the event is a success, and restaurants outside of the hamlet may join in the future.

“This event might grow to include even neighbouring community restaurants,” she said.

Everyone attending and purchasing food and beverage samples at the Taste of Bragg Creek will receive a Dine in Bragg Creek Passport, which they can have stamped each time they eat at a Bragg Creek restaurant during the month of March.

“At the end of March, the passports will be collected, and one lucky winner will be awarded a grand prize,” said Boyce.

A Taste of Bragg Creek wine and food festival is the kick-off for the main event which is Dine in Bragg Creek.

During Dine in Bragg Creek restaurants will offer set priced menus for the month of March.

For example, Bragg Creek fine dining restaurants will offer a four-course dinner for $39.95, family restaurants will offer a three-course dinner for $24.95, and bistros and coffee shops will offer a lunch menu for $12.95.

Holschuh said he hopes this event will help local restaurateurs, as March is a usually a slow month for dining establishments.

“You must be very innovative when business is slow,” said Holschuh, “I always wished something like this would exist to cover the slow season when I owned the Bavarian Inn.”

For more information on Taste of Bragg Creek and Dine in Bragg Creek call 403-949-4277 or info@braggcreekca.com

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