A Tour De Forks History

 
Facts and History

The Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties has held Tour De Forks as an annual event from 1992 - 2004, 2006-2008.  This year in 2009 , we will host our 16th A Tour de Forks!

The A Tour De Forks has raised over $425,000.  Some of the many organizations that the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties in Kansas have been proud to support are Sunflower House, Communities in Schools, Wonderscope, Johnson County Christmas Bureau, Duchesne Clinic, Project Turnaround, KC Reads, Ears that Hear, Project Cherish, and Kaw Valley Behavioral Healthcare. 

In April of 2000, the JLWJC organized the event, A Tour de Forks Salutes Great Chefs in the Midwest, bringing in 10 world class chefs paired with 10 local chefs for a weekend of premiere patron dinners, cooking classes and a Gala dinner event.

A Tour De Forks has previously included two Tour venues with three seatings with 75 participants each.  The Tour has traditionally included Plaza area restaurants.  JohnsonCounty tours have also been held.

Historically the Tour is traveled by trolley or bus.  A walking Tour was held at Crown Center in 2002.

Ticket prices are $75 per person, excluding the Great Chefs Tour.

Corporate sponsorship equates to more funding opportunity for our community projects.

Participating restaurants have included:

  • 1996:   Californo's, Jule's, Parkway 600, Classic Cup, Grand Street, J. Gilbert's, Abigail Rose, Forks in the Air, Yia Yia's, Martini's.
  • 1997:   JJ's, Raphael, Bo Lings, Grand Street, Jule's, J. Gilbert's, Romano, Hereford House, Yia Yia's, Bristol.
  • 1998:   JJ's, Grand Street, Figlio, Classic Cup, Jule's, J. Gilbert's, Yahooz, Yia Yia's, EBT, Bristol.
  • 1999:   No records available
  •  2000:   Great Chef's Event
  • 2001:   Art Gallery, La Bodega, Lidia's, Great Harvest Bakery.
  • 2002:   Grand Street Café, Frondizi's, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Great Harvest Bakery, Benton's, Milano.
  • 2003:   Frondizi's, Oak Room, Grand Street Café, Sebastienne, Webster House, Lidia's, Morton's, Fedora.
  • 2004:   Webster House, Frondizi's, Frankie's on the Plaza, Joe D's,Hannah Bistro, 40 Sardines, O.P. 1906, Bravo Cucina Italiana.
  • 2006:   Pierpont's, Le Fou Frog, Melting Pot, Benton's, Capital Grille, M&S Grill, Grand Street Café.
  • 2007:   Pierpont's Capital Grille, Californo's, M & S Grill
  • 2008:  Pierpont's, One80 Lounge, The Peppercorn Duck Club, The Bistro at Union Station, Hereford House, Yahooz, Yia Yia's, EBT.
  • 2009:  Woodyard BBQ at Boulevard Brewery Co., The Capital Grille, City Tavern, Grand Street Cafe; La Fou Frog, M&S Grille, Vininos.