TRAVERSE CITY -- The Traverse City Film Festival may be centered in downtown Traverse City, but it offers exposure to restaurants and farms well outside the city area.
Film Festival Food Acquaintance Mary Fisher said organizers worked hard to gather food sponsors that reflected all of northern Michigan.
“Everything from Oleson’s to Norconk Farms In Honor…to Food for Thought in Honor,” Fisher said. “We thought a little bit out of the box…this was a great opportunity in our sixth year to reach out to people outside of Front Street and bring in so many talented chefs and farmers.”
As for the restaurants located on Front Street, some say they are ok with outsiders doing business on their turf.
“We don't fear it. We are very confident in our food we are happy with the turnout we received so far. We are confident that this weekend is going to be one of our best,” said Steve Fairbanks, manager at Red Ginger.
Red Ginger credits their success during the Film Festival with the classic combination of dinner and a movie.
“You think about it, people want to go to the movies. Usually dinner and a movie go hand and hand, so the great thing about the Film Festival is the amount of people coming in to Traverse City to go to the movies and they also want to go to a nice place to eat,” Fairbanks said.
