Restaurant Participants

Relish the Region brings together the best restaurants from across our area for a night packed with flavor, music, and fun.

Guests will sample crave-worthy bites and signature sips, vote for Best Bite and Best Cocktail, and celebrate the restaurants that make our region deliciously unique.

Restaurant space is limited, so early registration is encouraged to secure your spot.

Event Date: April 30, 2026
Event Time: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton

Why Participate?

Relish the Region is a great opportunity to showcase your restaurant and connect with new customers.

Participating restaurants will:

Showcase their food to 500 engaged foodies
Gain exposure through event promotion and marketing materials
Connect with fellow restaurant teams during a restaurant-only tasting hour
Compete for Best Bite and Best Cocktail—the Best Bite winner will be the first to take home the traveling trophy, while the Best Cocktail winner receives a trophy to keep.
Receive 2 tickets to give away to customers to help promote your restaurant

Event Timeline for Restaurants

1:30 p.m. – Load-In Begins

3:30 p.m. – Setup Complete/Staff Walkthrough
Restaurants should be fully set up by this time.

4:00 p.m. – Restaurant Mingle Sampling
Before guests arrive, participating restaurants get the chance to sample each other’s bites, mingle with colleagues, and connect with fellow restaurant teams.

5:00 p.m. – VIP Hour Begins

There will be 100 VIP tickets sold for $120. These attendees get early access to the bites, sips, and fun!

6:00 p.m. – General Admission Opens

7:45 p.m. – Competition Winners are Announced

8:00 p.m. – Event Ends

What Restaurants Provide

Each participating restaurant will prepare approximately 400-450 bite-sized samples and/or 400-450 cocktail sips
- Samples should be true one-bite portions so guests can enjoy food from every restaurant.
- Think small, simple, and flavorful—something that is distinctly your restaurant.
Staff to serve samples
Serving items (plates, napkins, forks, etc.)
Any décor you’d like to add to your designated space
- Each restaurant will have a designated event space to showcase their brand. The more fun and creative, the better!

Best Cocktail Competition

Restaurants may also choose to enter the Best Cocktail competition. Participating restaurants will craft a signature cocktail using the spirit of their choice. Use of Cedar Ridge Bottled-in-Bond Rye Whiskey is encouraged, and those who choose to feature it will receive a $40 stipend supported by Cedar Ridge. Please serve guests a small tasting sample (no more than 2 oz.). Keep it simple or get creative—it’s up to you. Guests will vote for their favorite cocktail during the event.

What Participating Restaurants Receive

Two staff passes for the restaurant-only sampling hour before the event begins
Two General Admission tickets to give away to customers and promote your participation
One 8-foot table and two chairs
Voting box(es) for guest ballots
Promotion packet, including: a poster, flyer, social media ideas, etc.