Restaurant Week Grand Rapids (RWGR) kicks off today with 12 days of delicious dining in Greater Grand Rapids. The event takes place today, Wednesday, August 9 through Sunday, August 20. New this year, over 25 participating locations will be offering a lunch option. Lunch will include 2 courses for $14.

“This is our 8th year organizing Restaurant Week Grand Rapids, and we wanted to spice things up,” said Doug Small, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “By offering lunch we are inviting more restaurants to participate in the culinary event that might not have had the chance, and it allows our local chefs another opportunity to create a unique dish.”

Most of the 76 restaurants participating in Restaurant Week GR are featuring 3-course menus for $28 per person – or – 3 courses for 2 people for $28. Some of the participating restaurants have vegetarian and vegan selections, as well as other dietary foods (such as gluten free) on their menus. Menus for the restaurants are featured on RestaurantWeekGR.com.

RWGR not only promotes the Greater Grand Rapids culinary scene, but also helps The Secchia Institute for Culinary Education Student Scholarship Fund with educational support. Since 2010, Restaurant Week participating restaurants and sponsors have contributed over $127,000 to the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education’s Student Scholarship Fund at GRCC. Participating restaurants donate $1 for every Restaurant Week meal sold to the scholarship fund that is granted to selected students within the Institute’s culinary program. Twenty-five students have received scholarships over the past 8 years.

The public can share their RWGR experiences on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram by using #RWGR.