The winter edition of Dhaka Restaurant Week is going to start today in Dhaka to offer people's favourite dishes at discounted rates, said a top official of the organising company -- Foodiez.

Food lovers can enjoy the signature dishes of 60 restaurants during the week, said Syed Ashiqur Rahman, founder of Foodiez, at a media briefing at The Daily Star Centre.

The restaurant week that will end on December 10 this time is held twice a year -- one in summer and the other in winter, he added. The event sponsored by Coca-Cola and powered by Dan Cake offers amazing platters for the food lovers, with many contests and awards for those who share their food experience online, the organisers said.

It is the perfect opportunity for food lovers in the city to try different platters and restaurants; all participating restaurants offer their signature items at previously set prices of Tk 499, Tk 999, Tk 1,499 and Tk 2,499, depending on the sharing size, Rahman said.

Foodiez has been organising such an event because the primary entertainment for people in Dhaka is food. “We love our food and we are adventurous in the way we try out new kinds of food.”

Restaurant owners in Dhaka faced challenges since the attack at Holey Artisan Bakery on July 1, but the situation has gradually improved, he said.

Mushfequr Rahman Bhuiyan, head of engagement at the commercial division of Grameenphone, said the operator is giving a 10 percent discount for all 3.4 million star customers of Grameenphone during the event.

“We continue to do these interesting and innovative food festivals and restaurant weeks with Foodiez throughout the year not only because food and Coke is the perfect match; despite the bustle of the city, food is an opportunity to take a break from it all, whether with friends or family, and catch up over a great meal,” Shadab Khan, managing director of Coca-Cola Bangladesh, said in a statement.

“The Dhaka Restaurant Week takes the festival to individual restaurants around the city, so you can go to your favorite restaurant and be a part of the festivities without having to worry about traffic or commute,” Khan said.

Asif Ahmad Chowdhury, chief executive officer of Bengal Meat, also a major sponsor of the event, said: "Genuine food hygiene and authentic taste of meat has been redefined by Bengal Meat in this country.”

“They are now planning to spread these appreciations across the hospitality industry. We welcome you to taste the difference with mouth-watering steak platter in 15 participating restaurants of this event,” Chowdhury said.