Sizzle Dining restaurants sell an unprecedented number of meals during 2024 event
Southwest Florida’s premier culinary event, Sizzle Dining, broke multiple records this year, including a remarkable 62,529 meals sold at participating restaurants in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.
The highly anticipated annual dining event, which offers accessible multi-course meal options, set new benchmarks for success. A $62,529 donation from the 114 participating restaurants will be given to Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida, a non-profit organization that provides nutritional food to food insecure elementary students every Friday throughout the school year.
Giving back to the community
“This achievement shows how even the smallest contributions can have a big impact in supporting those who need it most,” said Guy Clarke, co-founder of Sizzle Dining.
Cecilia St. Arnold, executive director of Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida, echoed the sentiment: “It’s inspiring to see how the restaurant community has united to ensure our children have access to food outside of school. The support from Sizzle Dining is making a meaningful difference for so many families.”
The 2024 Sizzle Dining event introduced exciting new experiences, including pop-up brunches and Sizzle & Savor chef-led lunch demonstrations, allowing diners to experience and learn about local restaurants in a unique and more intimate setting.
A catalyst for change
Additionally, Sizzle Dining has evolved to become an economic catalyst during one of the slowest times of year in Southwest Florida.
- Economic impact: Sizzle Dining contributes more than $3 million annually to the Southwest Florida economy by promoting local restaurants and encouraging residents and visitors to dine out
- Strengthening community ties: The event fosters a sense of community pride and loyalty as locals discover and support restaurants during a slower time of year
- Driving business growth: In addition to promoting local restaurants, Sizzle Dining generates increased revenue for businesses within the hospitality industry supply chain
- Creating jobs: The increase in diners stimulates employment opportunities in the hospitality sector, enhancing local job growth
- Tourism boost: Sizzle Dining attracts visitors to Lee, Collier and Charlotte County, generating additional economic benefits for local establishments
- Supporting charitable causes: In the past three years, Sizzle Dining has helped provide more than 25,000 hunger-free weekends for more than 700 food-insecure children who live in our area
Celebrating support and collaboration
“The summer months can be slower for some of our Lee County businesses, especially in the restaurant industry,” says Tamara Pigott, executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. “We’ve witnessed the impact Sizzle Dining has made on our community, and we’re excited to see that it’s driving residents and visitors to our fantastic local restaurants.”
“Sizzle Dining is not just a celebration of our region’s incredible culinary talent, it’s a vital boost to our local economy during a traditionally slower time of year,” says Jau Tusa, Tourism Director of Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention & Visitor Bureau. “By supporting Sizzle Dining, visitors and locals alike help our restaurant community thrive, ensuring the vibrancy of our destination’s dining scene while contributing to a cause that supports local children in need. It’s events like these that showcase the unique experiences that Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades offer, all while giving back to our community.”
The 2024 Sizzle Dining event has set a new standard, and plans for an even more impactful event in 2025 are underway, with several restaurants already committed to building on the tradition of offering exceptional culinary experiences and making a meaningful difference in the community. For more details and to stay updated on what’s to come, visit SizzleDining.com.
*Photo caption from left to right: Karina Borgia-LaCroix, Cecilia St. Arnold, Nathan Shaw, Jon Roberson, Marilyn Santiago, Guy Clarke, LaRae Davenport
About Sizzle Dining
Sizzle Dining began in 2016, as a week-long dining event in Naples. Year after year, it has grown substantially and is now a 21-day event thanks to the commitment of local restauranteurs and Sizzle’s founders, Guy and Erin Clarke. Each year, participating local restaurants create mouth-watering prix-fixe lunch and dinner menus that highlight their chef’s impressive culinary skills. The menus are offered at affordable prices to encourage visitors to try a variety of local restaurants. This event helps drum up business for our local dining scene during one of the slowest months of the year in Southwest Florida. On top of the much-needed boost to our local culinary industry, Sizzle Dining gives back to the community in an even more impactful way. For every meal purchased, restaurant owners donate $1 of their proceeds to Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida, an incredible organization that helps feed our local elementary school children over the weekends.
For more information and the full list of participating restaurants, visit www.sizzledining.com