I can’t wait for Knoxville Restaurant Week!

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait until Restaurant Week! That is a first-ever event in Knoxville set for Feb. 27 through March 4. During that time, about 30 high-profile Knoxville restaurants will offer fixed price meals — three courses for either $25 or $35 — and donate $5 per meal to Second Harvest Food Bank.

This is literally a win-win-win situation. Customers win because of the great prices. The restaurants win by bringing in business at a traditionally slow time of year. And Second Harvest Food Bank wins.

The best restaurants in town are participating — from Ruth’s Chris to the Orangery and Bistro by the Tracks to Le Parigo — and many others which you can find on the Restaurant Week website (click here).

Moxley Carmichael designed and donated the cute logo (if you ask me!), which our graphic designer, Julie Bernal, created. The event organizers told us they wanted a logo that “said:” Knoxville, dining and restaurants. I think the logo does just that! To me, it says food and fun!

Restaurants are significant employers in Knoxville, and economic development officials say Knoxville Restaurant Week can showcase to visitors what our local restaurant scene offers to the dining public.

“People choose cities to visit partly based on the availability of excellent restaurants,” said Gloria Ray, CEO of the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation. “Knoxville has a wide variety of cuisines and the quality is high. That’s why we go out to eat so often here.”

Many major cities, including Chicago, New York and San Diego, have similar events that have become huge tourist draws.

Bo Connor, left, of Connor Concepts, chats with Becky and Bob Luper of Naples during the kick-off of Restaurant Week.

Even though to me Knoxville Restaurant Week is mostly about fun and helping our great new client, Second Harvest Food Bank, other folks are taking advantage of it to do some serious research. Professor Carol Costello in the University of Tennessee’s Department of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management is supervising a survey of customers who participate in Restaurant Week to determine things such as what motivated them to eat out at that time — charity, good prices, great menu? She also will study whether diners end up eating out more often during that week than they normally would. And she’ll study how much restaurants benefit: for instance, will folks buy extra items or better wine if they are attracted by the great specials.

So, don’t waste any time. Restaurant Week had its official kick-off last week to let the media know of all the plans. All three local TV stations covered the kick-off and the News Sentinel‘s fabulous food editor, my friend Mary Constantine, said the paper plans coverage next week just prior to Restaurant Week. Everyone is getting fired up about it.

“We have some wonderful places to eat here and Knoxville Restaurant Week will offer us a great chance to enjoy them,” said Knoxville Mayor Daniel T. Brown, who attended the kick-off along with Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett. “At the same time, we’ll be helping Second Harvest, which makes such a difference in the lives of so many of our neighbors,” Brown said.

Restaurants already are accepting reservations for the special week, so go to the website and look at all the wonderful menus. Make your reservations now! And I’ll see you in the dining room!

Elaine Streno and Knoxville Mayor Dan Brown at kick-off at Ruth's Chris.

From left: Paul Hohe, Ruth's Chris general manager; Carol Costello, UT Dept. of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management; Pam Treacy of Ruth's Chris; Jill Thompson, executive director of Knoxville Tourism Alliance; and Mary Constantine of the News Sentinel.

From left: Knox County Commissioners Mike Brown, Jeff Ownby, Tony Norman and Dave Wright at the kick-off.

Ellen Robinson, center, of Moxley Carmichael, is flanked by Janet Testerman, left, and Gay Lyons, both of Knoxville Magazine.

From left, Kelly Fletcher of Fletcher PR, Susan Martino and Lauren Bice, both of Second Harvest. (We at Moxley Carmichael have a great relationship with Kelly.)

Knoxville Mayor Dan Brown, left, and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett shake hands over a good cause!

City Councilman Duane Grieve, left, and County Commissioner Dave Wright

David Kiger and Kathleen Anderson, both of The Orangery

Thom was one of the most popular people at the kick-off!

These crab cakes passed by Shannon were some of the tasty nibbles provided by Ruth's Chris for the kick-off. It was great seeing all the restaurateurs being so friendly with each other.

This tuna on cucumber appetizer offered by Michelle was delicious.

Our soon-to-be-retired police chief, Sterling Owen, IV, left, poses with Mayor Brown.

Mary Constantine, left, of the News Sentinel, and Tami Hartmann of Moxley Carmichael.

Thanks to Ruth's Chris, beautiful at sunset, for its generous hosting of the Restaurant Week kick-off.

Photo credit: All photos by Julie Bernal of Moxley Carmichael.