Longmont’s fifth annual Restaurant Week is emphasizing the area’s connection to locally grown food.
With 30 local restaurants participating in the 10 day celebration of local food, drinks and the people that make it happen, many participating businesses source some or most of their ingredients from the more than 50 farms and ranches throughout Boulder County and the Colorado farms beyond that.
“Longmont has a rich history in agriculture, and that connection to locally grown food has carried on for more than 150 years to today,” said Leah Winkler, communications director for the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce, which produces the event.
From Oct. 7-16, several local food and beverage establishments will be offering exclusive menus for $25, $35 and $45. The restaurants are all over Longmont, offering cuisines of all kinds.
“I think Longmont Restaurant Week does an excellent job of connecting the community through a shared love of food,” Winkler said. “Over the years, we have heard from so many diners that Longmont Restaurant Week has introduced them to places they would have never tried, and that those places have since become favorites.”
Tickets are not required to participate in Longmont Restaurant Week, and reservations are recommended but not required. Winkler added that timing is important — while most restaurants will have their menus available for dinner, lunch outings should check with the restaurant first to see if their specials will be available at that time.
Winkler emphasized that the event is a great way to show appreciation for local businesses, which have been especially hard hit by inflation and labor shortages.
“From the community perspective, not only do you have the opportunity to discover new restaurants, but it is a great way to show your support of your favorite restaurants,” she said. “The food and beverage industry in particular has struggled with rising costs and staffing shortages, an event like this gives people a little extra incentive to show their love to our local businesses.”
New this year, the Times Collaborative, a co-working space in downtown Longmont, has a commercial kitchen that will feature three rotating chefs throughout the week. The schedule will be available on their website profile at www.longmontrestaurantweek.com, along with other participating restaurants and their menus.
The Times Collaborative is hosting a kick-off event this Friday, which features plates from eight in-house chefs. Unlike the rest of Longmont Restaurant Week, this is a ticketed event with proceeds going to Longmont Food Rescue.
