The inaugural Chippewa Valley Restaurant Week is almost here, launching for the very first time on Sept. 15! We at Volume One are very excited about how this first effort has come together, creating a brand new culinary and cultural happening for the region. Thankfully, nearly 40 great restaurants shared our vision for a 10-day event filled with special menus, great deals, and fun events between Sept. 15 and 24. We’re proud of those establishments for being leaders in their scene. They took the leap with us to create something new and meaningful for the entire community. Many other restaurants decided to take a “wait and see” kind of approach, opting out in this first year. But that’s OK. We know the community will come out to specifically support those involved, and with that support perhaps next year Restaurant Week will grow even bigger, with many more establishments signing on to participate in the new community tradition.

The concept of a “Restaurant Week” isn’t new: In recent years many larger communities have come to love such events. It’s a chance to enjoy what our region has to offer, to expand our horizons, and to explore where things could go next in our growing food scene. Tucked inside this issue you’ll find the full guide to Restaurant Week – the menus, the events, the chances to win stuff – all the details are there (as well as online at ChippewaValleyRestaurantWeek.com).

And finally, one of the coolest things about all this is our presenting partner: The Chippewa Valley Technical College’s new Culinary Management Program. That’s right, CVTC is launching an entirely new program in support of our community’s restaurants and the up-and-coming talent they need to thrive. You can read more about that in the guide as well. So pick out all the participating restaurants you want to visit during Restaurant Week and get ready! We’ll see you at the table, Sept. 15 through 24!