For the first time ever, Aberdeenshire will have its very own Restaurant Week - taking place between November 4 to 10.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Economic Development Service is serving up the week-long promotion and inviting hotels, restaurants, cafes and a host of other eateries to place their order and sign-up for the event to offer a range of special offers.
It’s teamed up with a number of organisations including local business groups, VisitAberdeenshire, Scotland Food & Drink, Aberdeen City & Shire Hotels Association, Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Scottish Chefs to encourage business sign-ups and raise consumer awareness.
Food festivals such as this are hugely successful, proving popular with both businesses and customers alike across the country and November’s event will help to highlight all the fantastic places to eat across the region.
Facing the ongoing challenges around supply chain costs and the wider cost-of-living, it’s hoped Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week will give the local hospitality sector a much-needed boost and bring a wealth of new customers through their doors.
The aim of November’s event is to increase that vital footfall by showcasing the incredible range of food and drink across Aberdeenshire to locals and visitors alike, highlighting value, quality, provenance, and choice at a traditionally quieter time of year.
For participating businesses this could result in:
• Increased sales: The reduced plate cost of Restaurant Week is attractive to consumers during a cost-of-living crisis. Although you offer your meals at lower prices, this should increase your bookings overall;
• Attracting a new consumer base: Restaurant Week is traditionally a time when many people try new restaurants. This means you have an opportunity to impress and convert them to regulars;
• Enhanced reputations: Participating in Restaurant Week can help you expand marketing activities.
Aberdeenshire Council Leader Councillor Gillian Owen said: “I am really excited about the first ever Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week this November and I would encourage all local restaurants and cafes to get on the menu and really showcase the region’s excellent fare far and wide. The north-east hospitality and food and drink sectors are incredibly important to our economy and we must continue to do everything we can to engage existing and new customers for our businesses.
“We also know that more and more consumers are looking for opportunities to attend events and activities within our villages and towns. They want to enjoy delicious dining experiences which they cannot access online, but we also have to be mindful that these need to take into consideration the pressures around the cost-of-living.”
Councillor Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, added: “This is a tremendous chance for diners to not only head for their own favourites places but to try different eateries and experience new culinary treats. We have a rich variety of cuisines to choose from across Aberdeenshire and with the special deals being offered I am sure they will prove hugely popular with customers new and old alike, while providing that much-needed boost in footfall for the businesses themselves.”
For more information and to register your businesses for Aberdeenshire Restaurant Week email restaurantweek@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or visit www.aberdeenshirerestaurantweek.com