CHAPEL HILL, N.C . — The 15th Triangle Restaurant Week is underway, but organizers say participation has dropped drastically because local restaurants are facing an uphill battle between staffing shortages, operation costs and COVID-19.
Triangle Restaurant Week is happening until January 30
Organizers say 45 restaurants are participating this year, but usually an average of 125 restaurants participate in the promotion
Organizers say fewer businesses decided to do it because of staffing shortages, operation costs and COVID-19
“Triangle Restaurant Week is a celebration of culinary excellence around the Triangle. It gives patrons the ability to try new restaurants they may have never visited before and restaurants the ability to reach some new customers and try out some new fun dishes they may add to the menu,” said Kelly Stewart, the program manager for Triangle Blvd.
Kipos Greek Taverna in Chapel Hill is one of the restaurants participating in the promotional week.
“Kipos is an ode to us growing up in Greece with our grandmothers and our mothers and cooking with them. This is the feeling we try to infuse in this place,” said George Delidimos, the executive chef at Kipos Greek Taverna.
Triangle Restaurant Week is a time when local restaurants offer several courses at a special price.
“It’s a nice way of going out and getting a couple of more options in a nice package deal that seems very affordable to people,” Delidimos said.“It’s a nice way of going out and getting a couple of more options in a nice package deal that seems very affordable to people,” Delidimos said. "I can’t imagine myself walking into an office with a suitcase. I always wanted to be in a kitchen with sizzling sounds and all that stuff. This is the best environment I can be in."
There are 45 restaurants participating this year, but organizers say that number is normally around 125 total restaurants.
“Participation is way down due to the pandemic, soaring food costs and staff shortages. Many restaurants also opted out because they have been forced to close for a few days here and there due to staff members testing positive for COVID and just didn't want to take the risk,” Stewart said.
Delidimos says he understands why some made the decision not to do it.
“A lot of restaurants opted out this year because of the rising costs of ingredients and labor. It’s extremely hard to find people that want to stay in kitchens this year,” Delidimos said.
However, he says being a part of this yearly tradition offers a sense of normalcy.
“We have to keep pushing and keep persevering. We are in the restaurant business to provide, to feed food to people and nurture them. Now is not the time to back out. Now is the time to keep pushing and that’s how we feel,” Delidimos said. "We decided to do it because we felt like we had to continue that dedication to our community. We’ve been around for about seven years, and everybody in this community has been extremely kind to us so we felt like we had to give back."
Triangle Restaurant Week specials range in price from $15 to $40 depending on whether it’s lunch or dinner.
For a full list of participating restaurants, visit the Triangle Restaurant Week website.
