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For immediate release (September 8th, 2022): The menus are live and First Bite diners are clamoring for reservations for the upcoming 10 days of culinary creativity in Boulder, September 30 – October 9. The 17th annual dining event will highlight over 30 locally owned restaurants in Boulder County, each offering menus that fit the dining style of their establishments. Alongside the comprehensive list of restaurant offerings, diners can also celebrate the dining scene through a new industry award and preview tours.

Based on the reality that “people are a different diner every night of the week,” First Bite sought to expand the offerings to include breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner menus along with a wider range of styles (beyond that of fine dining establishments). “Boulder is chock-full of incredible places to dine no matter the occasion or time of day, and we’re eager to elevate them in the community,” shared Jessica Benjamin, owner, and producer of First Bite.

For the last three years, First Bite has been encouraging restaurants to offer whichever creative menu they desire, abandoning the traditional constraints of a prix fixe menu. This year chefs took charge and are cooking up specialty menus of all shapes, sizes, and prices. Benjamin shares, “We have restaurants offering a single appetizer, chef’s selection flight, family style meals for four, and multi-course menus – all sure to satisfy your cravings.”

Diners can explore the menus on First Bite’s website (firstbiteboulder.com) and will find daytime options from Dry Storage, Boulder Social, and new-to-town Süti & Co, a Scandinavian-inspired coffee shop opening this month at 16th and Pearl. Many restaurants are offering menus throughout the day, including Ash’Kara, Cafe Aion, Gemini, Spruce Farm & Fish, and Gunbarrel’s Raglin Market. “We are thrilled to participate in First Bite this year as it helps to showcase amazing small local businesses and what we’re most passionate about – bringing people together over great food and drinks. In 2022, First Bite announced a few changes, which really helped four of our restaurants to participate this year… It gave our chef’s the freedom to really feature the dishes they’re most proud of across different menus.” shares Amber Winston, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager for Concept Restaurants, and participants Spruce Farm & Fish, The Corner Bar, Boulder Social, and Frank’s Chophouse.

Diners looking for a more upscale dining experience (and more of the traditional multi-course format) should check out the menus of Basta, Farow, Steakhouse 316, Marigold, Mateo, and Boulder Cork, among others. However patrons choose to dine, they are sure to be dazzled by their meals, reconnect with friends and their community and maybe even discover somewhere new to return to for a special occasion.

Participants include:

• 740 Front
• Ash’Kara
• Avanti F&B
• Basta
• Bohemian Biergarten
• Boulder Cork
• Boulder Social
• Brasserie Boulder
• Brasserie Ten Ten
• Busey Brews Smokehouse & Brewery
• Café Aion
• The Corner Bar
• Corrida
• Dagabi Cucina
• Dry Storage
• Farow
• Frank’s Chophouse & Tavern
• Gemini
• The Greenbriar Inn
• Japango
• Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro
• Marigold
• Mateo
• OAK at Fourteenth
• Raglin Market
• River & Woods
• SALT
• Sforno Trattoria Romano
• The Sink
• Spruce Farm & Fish
• Steakhouse 316
• Süti & Co

For those looking to get an early taste of these restaurants’ dishes before the September 30th kick-off, Local Table Tours will host two walking (and tasting!) preview tours on September 21 and 28th. Led by owner Megan Bucholz, these tours will be a sneak peek of both the participating restaurants and dishes that are on their First Bite menus in a fun, intimate way to experience multiple restaurants in one fell swoop. Tickets are $110 all-inclusive and are available at https://www.localtabletours.com/calendar-boulder/.

Something always important to First Bite is shining the spotlight on the restaurant workers, those that are truly making the magic happen day in and day out. “Particularly after the past two years, we feel it’s more important than ever to recognize the tireless passion and hospitality that so many are giving in our industry. Thanks to our partner, Society Insurance, we are proud to recognize both front-of-house and back-of-house workers with our Industry Icon Award and a cash prize,” shares Benjamin. Nominations open on September 6th and can be submitted on the First Bite website through October 11th, with the winners being announced on October 14th.

Creating connections between diners and the wide variety of small businesses and nonprofits that support the dining industry has long been an important value of the First Bite team. This year, First Bite is partnering with Meati, a Boulder-based company dedicated to offering a craveable nutrient-rich mushroom protein, to support The Little Diners Program. This family-friendly dining resource will debut through the First Bite blog and benefit Growing Up Boulder. Growing Up Boulder is a 501c(3) that actively works within Boulder to advocate for children to have a stronger voice within the city through engagement, integration, and community connection. The Little Diners Program will elevate the discussion of how to raise children in today’s food society and will provide the next generation with a chance to engage with the food community and local chefs.

As First Bite has evolved over the years, one thing has remained the cornerstone of all that the team produces; highlighting the incredible restaurants in Boulder County and telling their stories to diners.

About First Bite: 

First Bite works throughout the year to engage diners and tell the stories of Boulder County restaurants. The 17th Annual First Bite will take place September 30th – October 9th, 2022. The event will feature ten days of exciting menu offerings and unique experiences for diners, the Industry Icon Awards recognizing outstanding restaurant staff, and a nod to Growing Up Boulder, a kid-centric nonprofit strengthening the voice of Boulder’s littlest diners.

As a company, First Bite is a resource in the community consistently embedded with both the restaurant community and the community of diners. In January 2022, First Bite launched its give-back fund, Food is Love in response to the Marshall Fires, and in April 2022 launched the inaugural First Sip event focusing on the beverage scene in Boulder County. Throughout the year, their cookbook, A Bite of Boulder, is available on their website and at various local shops.

Additional information on First Bite can be found on their website firstbiteboulder.com or on Instagram @firstbiteboco. More high-resolution professional photos are available on request.