Adobe Stock
This year’s event, happening June 14-19, will offer diners prix fixe takeout specials, and a chance to support local food businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis.
As Delaware settles into the first phase of national pandemic recovery, restaurants and related businesses alike are preparing for patrons to return.
However, phase one and even phase two (which may begin as early as June 15) still has plenty of guidelines when it comes to dining out to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
In response to this new way of dining, the third annual Culinary Coast Restaurant Week—known this year as Culinary Coast Takeout Week—will continue to take place at the Delaware beaches, but will be directing more focus toward supporting local businesses no matter if its sitting down or grabbing something to go. Participating restaurants have not yet been announced.
“As part of promoting Southern Delaware as a premier culinary destination, [this event strives to] highlight the area’s vibrant dining scene and agricultural scene,” says Scott Thomas, executive director of Southern Delaware Tourism, one of the main sponsors for the event.
Culinary Coast Takeout Week, sponsored by Southern Delaware Tourism, RehobothFoodie.com, Cape Gazette, and Vizzy Hard Seltzer, will run from June 14-19 and feature over 65 participants from across the Cape Region.
“[This year’s event is] a public service solely to benefit the restaurants,” says Bob Yesbek, founder of RehobothFoodie.com, weekly columnist for the Cape Gazette, and one of the main organizers for Culinary Coast Takeout Week. “Because of the ongoing restaurant shutdowns and restrictions, our local restaurants very much need the business, and [customers] have been flocking to their favorite restaurants to help them make it through this by using takeout and delivery.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, food establishments across the state have been forced to shut their doors for in-person patronage and adapt to socially-safe methods of reaching old and new customers alike.
“Our local restaurants desperately need every last penny we can help them generate,” says Yesbek. “[Our purpose is not only] to promote Delaware Cape Region dining [but also] help our restaurants weather this very stressful, both financially and emotionally, time.”
With this event, the combined efforts of both organizers and local restaurants is set to reignite hope throughout the area, all while still keeping everyone safe.
“I hope that this event compels more residents and visitors to eat and/or order takeout so they can witness and observe the safety and public health measures that our restaurants are undertaking to deliver an enjoyable experience,” says Thomas.
For more information, visit culinarycoastrestaurantweek.com.
