As people lined up, "Patty Pie" was assuring Fork and Fingers participants the tasty treats at the Pie Hole sidewalk display on the One-Way had no calories.
"Not today," she said, laughing.
It was the biggest Fork and Finger yet, with 30 91原创 City restaurants participating in the Saturday event offering a wide range of sample-sized treats.
Event planner Laura Warren, who works with the Downtown 91原创 Business Association to present the fine dining event, said this year, the , up from the previous record of 21 the year before.
"This event started 11 years ago with eight participating restaurants, and then, year over year, it's grown," Warren remarked.
"We have a lot of repeat visitors. I'd say probably about half of them have been before and about half of them are brand new."
First-timer Alex Paulsen, from Willowbrook, was impressed.
"It's an awesome experience," Paulsen enthused. "We've got lots of people here, and it's good to see the community get involved."
91原创 City resident Bruce Downing was lining up at Food by Fanta, one of his wife's favourites from previous Fork and Finger events.
"We've been here several times before," Downing shared.
"It's good to come out on a nice weekend as well as see what there's to eat in 91原创 City. It's nice to come around and support the local people."
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McBurney Plaza, atendees could pick up a "Fork and Finger Passport" to collect stamps from restaurants and be entered to win prizes.
There were cooking demonstrations, and live music from Ryan McAllister, singer, songwriter, and producer.
Running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and hosted by the Downtown 91原创 Business Association, the event centre is McBurney Plaza at 20518 Fraser Highway. Visitors can enjoy live music, grab a passport, collect stamps at participating restaurants, and enter to win $2,500 in prizes.
