In addition to a full and varied menu of eateries getting ready to welcome Quad Citizens to QC Restaurant Week, organizers are cooking up other creative ways to whet foodies’ appetites in the runup to the March 20-26 event.
For Visit Quad Cities, that includes finding ways to not only help bring much-needed business to the dozens of restaurants participating in this year’s promotion, but to bring some love and honor to the QC neighbors who own them and those who provide the talent and service that keep us coming back.
To make that happen, the regional destination marketing organization is once again urging area consumers to recognize those in the local restaurant industry who go above and beyond to make experiences memorable and who bring customer-centric energy to work with them each day.
Nominations will be accepted through Thursday, March 16, and can be submitted via a brief online form found here. From the final list of nominees, Visit Quad Cities will select several industry workers who demonstrate exemplary customer service to be recognized during QC Restaurant Week.
Also on March 16, Visit Quad Cities is conducting a new Restaurant Week AccelerateVQC event at Mercado on Fifth’s indoor space, located at 423 12 St., Moline. Those who attend will hear from local culinary industry leaders about their experiences, how they can work best with local restaurants/caterers/chefs, and what’s happening with local restaurants/eateries today.
Visitors to the gathering, dubbed “A Bite of Knowledge about QC Culinary Scene,” will be able to interact with our restaurants/eateries.
They also will learn more about the culinary industry’s significance to the Quad Cities’ regional destination, tourism, and overall community impact from the panelists who include:
- Emmanuel Garcia, Cocina Verde.
- Elly Vos, Nest Café.
- Dominic Perez, Verde.
- Chef Keys, Cooks and Cuffs.
- Maria Ontiveros, Mercado on Fifth.
Doors for the event will open at 3 p.m., followed by a 3:30-4:30 p.m. panel discussion and a 4:30 p.m. reception. Those interested in attending are urged to register here.
“QC Restaurant Week is one of the highlights of the year as we come together to celebrate our culinary vibe,” said Visit QC President and CEO Dave Herrell. “Restaurants are important small businesses that bring visitors and Quad Citizens together and help showcase our regional destination’s tourism product. We encourage our residents to go try that new spot or visit that place you haven’t been to in a while.
“Our visitor experience is closely tied to the success of our local restaurants, so they need our support. This is a fun week for foodies,” he added.
Visit Quad Cities encourages food lovers to explore www.qcrestaurantweek.com and to check back frequently. In addition to supporting their local restaurants, Quad Citizens have a chance to win local restaurant gift cards. Visit one of the participating restaurants between March 20-26, then go to the website to fill out the entry form and include a photo of your receipt, a selfie at the restaurant, or a pose with your carryout meal.
Follow Visit Quad Cities on social media for updates on QC Restaurant Week, restaurant gift card giveaways, and other happenings @QuadCities on Facebook, and @VisitQuadCities on Instagram and Twitter. Post about your QC Restaurant Week meals using #QCRestaurantWeek.
