How time flies when the going is good! What started as an idea in the mind of event planner, Stephanie Scott has evolved from Kingston Restaurant Week to this year's Restaurant Week.

Starting this year, The Gleaner-sponsored calendar event now has on board restaurants in Ocho Rios, St Ann; and Montego Bay, St James. Who knows, in the same way that persons take the Knutsford Express to and from the annual jazz festival, they could try restaurant-hopping among the three towns via this comfortable mode of transport.

So far it's been an exciting challenge for Scott and her team and Food spoke with her about her thoughts on the journey and her plans for this fabulous annual event.

It's a big year for restaurant week this year with the participation of St Ann and St James. Is the event meeting your expectations?

The decision to expand and invite restaurants from St Ann and St James was, in part, a response to repeated requests from these parishes to be included in Restaurant Week and also to give our sponsors greater exposure. The response from the restaurants has been wonderful and we have nine restaurants from Montego Bay and seven from Ocho Rios on board this first year outside the corporate area.

How has the recession impacted on financing the event?

It has admittedly been very difficult to get the necessary sponsorship as most companies have cut their marketing budgets significantly.

When will you include the entire island?

No promises. my philosophy is, 'slowly and well done'. Let us see how this initial expansion goes and, based on that, we possibly will include other cities next year.

What do you enjoy least and most from the experience?

Without a doubt the part I least like is the search for sponsorship. The part I like the most is sitting with sponsors and working out ways to use my idea/event to showcase their brands and the cuisine of our wonderful island. And, of course, to spread the word through The Gleaner and its other publications.

Where do you see Restaurant Week in the next five years?

Hopefully in some of the other islands. Already I have begun putting out feelers in Barbados and would love to see the concept go Caribbean. At the same time, I am working to build the brand overseas in a concerted effort to enhance the tourist product and place the event on the entertainment calendar for visitors. I am proud that Travel and Leisure this month lists The Gleaner-sponsored Restaurant Week in their new column, Where to Go Next.

barbara.ellington@gleanerjm.com