ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and Visit Howard County announced spectacular Summer Restaurant and Craft Beverage Weeks will be July 11th - 24th, 2022. Nearly 30 restaurants and craft beverage creators are featuring specialty menu items and drinks over during the two weeks. A full list of participating locations is available here. Photos of the event can be found here.
Howard County has one of the best restaurant scenes in the nation because of our diverse community and its high-quality, varied cuisines. From gastro pubs to upscale dining – there is something for everyone to support locally owned and operated businesses during our restaurant weeks. We’re also using this time to show our appreciation and gratitude for our hospitality workers who have gone above and beyond to welcome residents and visitors alike to Howard County.
“Restaurant Weeks has always been widely popular with visitors and residents alike, it’s like a phenomenon,” added Amanda Hof, Executive Director for Visit Howard County. “This year we felt it critical to raise awareness and appreciation, to all the individuals, no matter what their walk of life, that keep our restaurants, hotels, retail operations, and attractions running. Our HoCo Gratitude program comes in perfect timing with Restaurant Weeks. Our hope is for Restaurant Weeks patrons to show their gratitude to hospitality workers through words of thanks, compliments, practicing patience, and tipping up when possible”.
Visit Howard County has also launched, HoCo Gratitude, an awareness campaign to show appreciation for Howard County’s hospitality workers. Hospitality workers put their best foot forward to warmly welcome out-of-town guests and residents alike. Over 20 local hospitality workers will be highlighted throughout the summer. Restaurant Weeks patrons are encouraged to show their gratitude to hospitality workers, with a compliment, practicing patience, or tipping up. Learn more at HoCoGratitude.com.
“Restaurant Weeks is a longstanding tradition in Howard County that offers us the opportunity to try a variety of eateries, sample new cuisines, and show our support for this important sector of our local economy that add richness to the quality of life here in our community,” said Howard County Economic Development Authority CEO Larry Twele.
“While the pandemic maybe behind us, fuel prices and supply chain pressures are still impacting our businesses,” said Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Leonardo McClarty. “Restaurant weeks always present great opportunities for trying new things at new places. More important, it provides an opportunity to support locally owned businesses as they navigate one more challenge.”
“Restaurants are one of the most diverse industries in America,” said Restaurant Association of Maryland President & CEO Marshall Weston Jr. “They include mothers who worked their way up to management roles, chefs who realized their dream of opening their own restaurant, teachers who work in the summer to earn extra money, bartenders putting their kids through college, immigrant families realizing a better life and high school students learning on their first jobs. Restaurants represent the best of Howard County and deserve to be celebrated.”
“Howard County Restaurant weeks offer diverse selections for our county residents as well as for those in nearby counties to come explore what is new, and new to you,” said Yolande Lacan, General Manager for Homewood Suites Columbia and Board Chair for Visit Howard County. “I hope to see many familiar faces out and about and by all means to see and be seen as well as show a little love to our Restaurant community while you are exploring their wonderful flavors. They have stood strong over the past several years and it's now a great time to get out and show the restaurants that support once again”.
"I took over the Rathskeller at the height of the pandemic and we look forward to Restaurant Week every winter and summer,” said William Low, Owner & Manager, of Rathskeller in Elkridge. "With increasing costs and supply chain issues, the support from diners during Restaurant Week helps not just our overall operation but supports our part-time and full-time staff as well. It's not easy being in this business, which is why I'm so grateful that Visit Howard County is recognizing Selina Peterson, Assistant General Manager, through its HoCo Gratitude program. This recognition helps show our appreciation for her hard work and dedication".