Taste Trenton announced plans to expand its restaurant event into a 10-day showcase called “10 Crucial Days of Dining” from September 13 to 22, 2024. The event will feature a restaurant crawl with small sampling plates and a traditional restaurant week with multi-course meals at special prices. “We had started to invite restaurants to offer meal specials and about a half are already offering full meal discounts or special meals at a set price. So, this is a natural evolution,” said Taste Trenton Coordinator Bernard McMullan. Taste Trenton began in 2014 with 10 restaurants in Chambersburg. It expanded to include downtown Trenton and later the entire city, growing to 40 restaurants representing various cuisines. Guests can purchase a $10 pass online for the entire event. Menus will be posted on TasteTrenton.com, listing tasting specials, featured meals, and prices. Printed maps will be available at public locations. “People both within and outside Trenton are often surprised to learn that there are more than 100 restaurants with tables and menus in Trenton—and that number generally excludes pizza shops, take-out Asian, and delis,” McMullan said. “Our task in Taste Trenton is to allow people to experience the range and diversity of those restaurants in a manner that encourages guests to walk across the threshold of each and try them out. If they have an enjoyable experience, they will come back; if not, then restaurant managers may need to consider what can be changed to make guests want to return.” Restaurants can apply to participate until August 15. The event organizers are also compiling information about artistic, musical, and historical activities in Trenton. Ten Crucial Days of Dining is organized by Taste Trenton Tours, LLC, a New Jersey registered nonprofit organization. Volunteers and business owners interested in helping can contact Bernard McMullan at TasteTrenton@gmail.com.