Although the economy is slowly recovering, events like the one on Saturday (October 20) are great for our small business owners.

For seven years in a row 'Taste of Cochrane' has been serving up sample sized portions to community members to encourage and promote the shop local, support local, experience.

Ronnie Knowles, Organizer says he is happy to have revived the event which was once run by the Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce. Seeing the value of promoting businesses on their own turf provides a very different experience, says Knowles. "It is one opportunity that people have during the year to sample not only the food served at over nineteen local places but the biggest thing is to see their location, the ambience, the staff, and the owners rather than going to a big gym where everyone has a little table serving food. This really takes in the whole community."

Jag Thind, Owner of Mehtab East Indian Cuisine as well as JOE'S Liquor has been involved with Taste of Cochrane since the first year but stepped up this year to sponsor the event that he finds quite valuable. "It is a really good event for Cochrane and especially for the small businesses and restaurants like us, for people to go out and see what's going on."

With changes to government legislation and regulations, many independent restaurant owners and small businesses are suffering, so events like this are a great benefit, adds Thind. "It is really beneficial and really important even if it's just to remind people that even with lots of chains there is a lot of small businesses that do a great job to make this community, a great community. It makes a huge difference for small businesses like us to have people come out, try it out and keep reminding them we are still here and you can try out some awesome food and other places all around Cochrane."

This year, Taste of Cochrane will only be selling 120 tickets as they want restaurants to be well prepared, shares Knowles. "We have been pretty strict this year and we are going to do 120 max and that is it. The reason for that is the cost to the restaurant and when you get thirty people coming in you've got to be prepared."

Tickets for Saturday's event are available for purchase at Schooners, Mehtab, Coffee Traders, JOE'S Liquor or HERE. The cost to attend Taste of Cochrane is $25 (kids 6 and under are free) and bussing is even provided courtesy Southland Transportation for the event which runs from 11 am to 3 pm. Ticket holders are encouraged to start at Mehtab where they will trade their ticket in for a wristband.

The following businesses are participating in this year's Taste of Cochrane: 

  • Mehtab East Indian Cuisine
  • JOE"S Liquor Store
  • Killarney's Family Pub
  • Mr Mikes Steakhouse
  • Menchies 
  • The Gentry Espresso and Wine Bar 
  • The Venue Bar and Grill
  •  Schooners On First
  • The Texas Gate
  • Horse Creek Heritage Candy and Gifts
  • Global Pet Foods
  • The Boot
  • Krang Spirits
  • The Avenue Cakery and Bakeshoppe
  • Cochrane Coffee Traders
  • COBS
  • Chiang Rai Thai Cuisine
  • A Little Taste of Country
  • The Rustic Olive Bar