COCHRANE— If you’re looking for a great way to explore Cochrane’s culinary scene, look no further than Cochrane Tourism’s first annual Dine-Out Cochrane campaign, running from Nov. 13 – 22.
At 27 different participating locations around the community, foodies will be able to try 33 different menu items as a part of the promotion that fall into three different categories— Nibbles and tastings, lunches and dinners.
It is a great way to showcase the restaurant’s food and also some of the partnerships restaurateurs have with local farms, said Jo-Anne Oucharek, executive director of Cochrane Tourism.
But, the tasty morsels are not the only benefit of participating in Dine-Out Cochrane.
The campaign is operating on a passport system, in which participants can get a stamp for visiting one of the participating locations.
Collect ten stamps and you will be entered into a draw to win $250 Cochrane Dollars, which can be redeemed at more than 100 businesses around town.
Passports can be picked up by visiting any participating location and can be dropped off for the draw at the Cochrane Visitor Information Centre.
The entire program is being run through Cochrane Tourism’s new Explore Cochrane app, which is where you will find a full list of participating restaurants and businesses.
Oucharek noted that there are double rewards available for Explore Cochrane App users, who earn 10 Explore Cochrane points for visiting participating locations on the app.
Accumulating 100 points will earn the user 10 Cochrane Dollars.
Using the app for Dine-Out Cochrane will earn you a stamp on your passport, and the 10 Explore Cochrane points.
It’s a “win-win,” Oucharek said.
“It’s a great way for people to get out and enjoy our local culinary scene and get rewarded at the same time,” she said. “Before dinner or after lunch you can go shopping and check out some of the other locations that are on there and maybe come into a business you’ve never been into before.”
The program was originally scheduled for March but was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the schedule change works out well for the restaurants, who typically struggle at this time of year, Oucharek said.
“November is typically a tough month for the restaurant industry, so they thought that this would be a great way to boost people coming in to the restaurant and help them get through this month,” she said.
Download the free Explore Cochrane App from the Apple App and Google Play app stores.
Restaurants participating in Dine-Out Cochrane are offering set menu items for the promotion. Reservations must be made in advance to ensure the establishment has time to prepare the special dishes being offered.
