91Ô­´´

A passport picked up Saturday, Aug. 23, will allow people to travel the world on a culinary adventure while never leaving 91Ô­´´ City.

Fork and Finger returns to the downtown with some 30 restaurants taking part, offering $5 and $10 dishes during the one-day event meant to spotlight the diversity of eateries in the City.

The event is organized by the Downtown 91Ô­´´ Business Association.

"Simply put – it’s delicious! Fork & Finger is one of the most anticipated annual events in downtown 91Ô­´´ and the perfect chance to explore a new restaurant or type of cuisine," said Chris Parsons, executive director of the Downtown 91Ô­´´ Business Association (DLBA). "Attendees love that they can sample something new with minimal risk, and the number one comment we hear at the info tent is, 'I just found my new favourite restaurant.' This event is one where you want to come hungry and ready to explore."

Fork and Finger starts at 11 a.m. and wraps at 4 p.m. but not before people enjoy live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and the chance to win prizes with that passport. The passport also outlines which are the vegetarian, dairy free, and vegan options. A new feature is $5 offerings to dogs and cats at two businesses.

People can pick up their passports in McBurney Plaza where the DLBA will have an information booth. They visit participating locations and make a purchase to receive a stamp. Once people have at least three stamps on their passports, they can turn them in at the information booth and be entered into the draw for $2,500 in Downtown Dollars that can be spent at DLBA member businesses.

When not walking between the restaurants to either dine in or take out their Fork and Finger options, people can relax and learn at McBurney Plaza with demonstrations.

12 p.m. - Pizza Dough @ Home: Step by step instructions for making restaurant quality pizza dough using household tools and equipment, including tips and tricks from our pizzeria. Presenter: Andy Slinn, executive chef, Don’t Tell Nonna Pizzeria

12:30 p.m. - For Those Who Like It Cold: Navigating iced coffees, from brew methods to different origins.
Presenter: Johannes van Bommel van Vloten, co-owner, Oldhand Coffee

1 p.m. - Pad Thai: Pan-fried rice noodles in tamarind sauce with egg, tofu, beansprout and chives topped with house roasted ground peanut.
Presenter: Chef Parinya Loptson, executive chef and owner of Ban Chok Dee Thai Cuisine and Food by Fanta.

1:30 p.m. - Cocktails & Mocktails Essentials: Learn to craft a zero-proof Steven's OJ. Discover expert tips and creative tricks to make vibrant, flavorful zero-proof cocktails. Presenter: Hayley Ruscheinski, Steven’s Cocktail Corner Bar + Kitchen

"Insider tip: samples are available after each demo while supplies last," Parsons noted. "Also, when demos aren’t happening, there will be live music all day in McBurney Plaza – so attendees can enjoy great food and entertainment throughout the event."

Organizers have also planned a treat for the ears with live entertainment. Ryan McAllister is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer. Over the span of 20 years he has played thousands of concerts on five continents with artists ranging from Willy Nelson to Sam Roberts. He owns Five Acres Studio in Abbotsford where his work as a producer won a JUNO award. Ryan continues to champion Canadian indie music through his company Valley Music Co.

Organizers suggest people bring a refillable water bottle. There will be filling stations at the event. As well people may want to stock up on $5 and $10 bills.

$5 menu

• 1 Fish 2 Fish Fresh Seafood Market, wild smoked salmon

• Annora Restaurant, truffled mushroom gnocchi

• Asia's Best Cuisine, pork dumplings

• Baba's Bar and Bistro, appetizer spinach corn roll

• Ban Chok Dee Thai Cuisine, Thai iced tea or Thai iced coffee

• Brogan's Diner, small milkshake 

• Cozy Bean Bakery and Café, S'mores chocolate cake cup or strawberry cheesecake cup

• Don't Tell Nonna Pizzeria, New York pizza slice (cheese, pepperoni, and artichoke or Italian sausage) or Detroit slice (Detroit Red Top)

• Farm Country Brewing, 12 oz. Mango Passionfruit Sour or German pilsner

• Food by Fanta, Singapore chicken and rice; curry puff; green Thai iced tea; Pandan Kunafa strawberries; roselle juice; chicken burger

• Mr. Siopao De 91Ô­´´, open-face Bao (chicken, pork or vegetable)

• Oldhand Coffee, cold brew coffee and an Earl Grey Snickerdoodle cookie

• Oxford Ice Cream, mini ice cream flight with waffle chip (choose three flavours)

• Papa John's Pizza, specialty pizza slice and can of soda; garlic knots and can of soda

• Periska Foods, two pounds of strawberries

• Red Swan Pizza: eight-inch personal classic pizza

• Red Velvet Café, almond croissant

• Steven's Cocktail Corner Bar + Kitchen, fire cracker shrimp ceviche

• Sticky’s Candy Emporium, jumbo chocolate chip cookie with chocolate ganache

• The Station Café, iced coffee or iced tea and a homestyle cookie

$10 Menu

• Adelicia’s Mexican Restaurant, flautas

• Ashoka Indian Cuisine, butter chicken with rice; vegetable pakora and cocktail samosas; noodles & Manchurian

• Asia's Best Cuisine 91Ô­´´, chicken chow mein; fried noodles

• Avishan Authentic Middle East Grill, lamb koobideh kabab with rice, Gormeh Sabzi (Persian herb & bean stew) with rice

• Baba's Bar and Bistro, butter chicken with rice and a naan

• Ban Chok Dee Thai Cuisine, chicken cashew with rice; red curry chicken with rice; yellow curry tofu with rice

• Brogan’s Diner, mini Chevy burger with fries

• Chicko Chicken 91Ô­´´ Downtown, YangYeom chicken and a pepsi

• Donair Hut, chicken, beef or lamb rice platter

• Donair To Go, falafel wrap; fries or salad with choice of meat (chicken, beef or lamb); chicken and rice

• Los Guerreros Hispanic Food Productos, bean and cheese pupusa and two chicken tacos

• Mr. Siopao De 91Ô­´´, steamed bun (choice of filling) with an ube, taro or cappuccino slush

• Periska Foods, five pounds of blueberries

• Red Swan Pizza 91Ô­´´. two topping medium pizza

• Rib & Chicken, rice bowl with pork, beef, or chicken mayo

• Steven's Cocktail Corner Bar + Kitchen, OJ smash burger

• Sticky’s Candy Emporium, chocolate cracking milkshake

• The Pie Hole, pie squared with vanilla ice cream

$5 Fetch & Feast Features

(for pets)

• 1 Fish 2 Fish Fresh Seafood Market, chemical free dog treats (whitefish, skins, salmon, sardines, tuna)

• Harvey Pet Food & Supplies, Harvey's Chips & Brew (dog brew and locally made dog treats); frozen yogurt cup with cookie crumble; cat treat tubes and a variety of treat samples

It's past the deadline for restaurants and businesses to sign up as it requires lead time to finalize menus, and create the passport, which includes a map. But Parsons noted that it's not difficult to get them to sign on.

"Recruiting restaurants has gotten easier each year, as Fork & Finger has built a strong reputation for delivering a great experience for both attendees and participating businesses. It’s really a win-win. Attendees get to try new restaurants, cuisines, or menu items with low risk, while restaurants get to impress potential new customers with their amazing $5 and $10 features – many of whom become loyal regulars," he noted. "The event continues to grow, and we have an extremely high return rate. For 2025, 93 per cent of active restaurants from last year are participating again, plus we’ve welcomed 17 new businesses to the passport."

The DLBA receives plenty of feedback from the participants.

"Restaurants appreciate that attendees come to their actual locations – not the temporary [Fork and Finger] setup – allowing them to serve their food at their highest standard. Many report seeing lots of new faces and hope those attendees become repeat customers," he said.