KEARNEY, Neb. - It’s a great week to be a foodie in Central Nebraska, as Kearney kicks off a city-wide celebration of local flavor.

The annual Taste Kearney- Restaurant Week is officially underway. Organized by the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, the event highlights and supports the city’s vibrant food scene.

More than a dozen local restaurants are offering limited-time and specially- curated menu items with a few new twists added this year.

“This is the week where we show our love and support for what our restaurants do every day of the year,” said Rylie Mills, Marketing Director for the Chamber. “New this year we have Taste Kearney tickets- you can get a sheet for $100 or $20 a ticket, and those tickets are good for special items. Another change this year is the transition from the chamber’s old “buffalo bucks” to a Stay Kearney gift card, which works like a debit card. That card ties into a new Taste Kearney passport program," Mills explained.

“If you use a Stay Kearney gift card at participating restaurants, you can log those purchases in a passport, and then next week, we’ll draw for a $500 winner,” said Mills.

Participants are also encouraged to keep an eye on the chamber’s social media throughout the week, where hidden tickets, gift cards and other prizes are being given away.

Participating restaurants and special menus are available online at tastekearney.com, with the special event running through Saturday.