Restaurant Week will take place from March 16 to March 23. Contributed / Heart of Biddeford

Hot off the tails of Maine Restaurant Week, Biddeford Restaurant Week will kick off on March 16, bringing flavors and fun to Southern Maine communities.

Organized by the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Biddeford and Saco Main Street, the annual event showcases the region’s vibrant food scene with special promotions, unique dining experiences and interactive culinary events.

March can be a difficult time for local restaurants, Heart of Biddeford Assistant Director Abby Leibowitz said. Restaurant Week is an opportunity for locals to support their favorite restaurants, or even find a new favorite.

“It’s to promote the restaurants in mid-March when we’re coming out of winter and tourism isn’t as high,” Leibowitz said. “We want to make sure we’re promoting everyone getting back out there and seeing the great food that exists in Maine.”

Throughout the week, restaurants will offer deals, small gift cards and prix-fixe menus to get both restaurants and their visitors out of the winter slump.

Batson River, a brewery with locations in both Biddeford and Kennebunk, is offering a prix-fixe menu that Director of Marketing Adam Taylor says the staff looks forward to every year.

“It’s not only a great community building event, but it shines a light on the hard-working individuals who sustain the excellent culinary culture that Maine has to offer,” Taylor told the Courier. “Every year our team looks forward to using the prix-fixe menu as a chance to showcase what Batson River is currently excited about.”

Laura Dolce, director of the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel Chamber of Commerce, said any event that highlights Maine’s rich food culture is worth exploring.

The Community Soup-er event will kick off Restaurant Week this weekend. Contributed / Heart of Biddeford

“We hope people take this opportunity to visit the local restaurants participating, either as a repeat customer or for the first time,” Dolce said.

Restaurants aren’t only offering prix-fixe menus. BiddoBanh, a sandwich shop in downtown Biddeford, will offer a free Cambodian dessert with any sandwich or bowl order.

Leibowitz is especially excited for it.

“I’m definitely looking forward to that,” she said.

On Sunday, March 16, Restaurant Week will kick off with a Community Soup-er at First Parish Congregational Church in Saco.

For just $12 a ticket, attendees can enjoy soup, bread, and desserts donated by local restaurants. All proceeds will benefit local food pantries.

“It’s a great way to get the community together,” Leibowitz said.

Also this year, a cooking competition called “FYOOD” will take place at the Biddeford Regional Center for Technology on Wednesday, March 19.

Two teams will face off in two different culinary challenges to see who has the chops to cook with the best. The challenges will also show off the culinary program at the school, Leibowitz said.

Restaurant Week will run through March 23, with deals and offers throughout the week.

“Look for your local favorites, but also try someplace new,” Leibowitz said.