Tired of seeing her restaurant sit dark after her close of 2 p.m. five days a week, Country Manor Kitchen (Armstrong) owner Kim Stinson came up with an idea.

Let other local chefs take over her place for an evening.

This Friday, Nov. 1, the owner/operator of Mia More Taco Truck Experience will take over the reins of the the Country Manor Kitchen beginning at 5 p.m.The fee is a very minimal $250 which covers the essential hard costs of gas, power, cleaning and paper products.

"Everything needed is here, new cooking facilities, dishes, pots and pans, POS system programmed with their menu, and even staff available to hire to assist," said Stinson, who works closely with the chefs to help ensure a successful night. She also offers guidance and experience in the fee.

Mia More Taco Truck Experience and Tiffany's Asian Treats have each done a takeover on several occasions, and all evenings, said Stinson, have gone over well.

"Because our quaint place is only open until 2 p.m. so why shouldn't a professional or home chef who may have never worked in a restaurant not get a golden opportunity to create a dinner service," said Stinson who hit upon the idea after a chinwag with her friend who runs the OKF Grill Food Truck in Lake Country.

Stinson operates the Country Manor Kitchen Wednesday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day (2590 Pleasant Valley Boulevard), opening up during the time of COVID. In October of 2023, she started doing Friday and Saturday dinners, putting out feelers as to what kind of food people would like to see served.

"Armstrong is a meat and potatoes town," laughed Stinson. "Some of the dinner nights were good. Some nights, not so good."

As she started winding down her dinners, she vented her frustrations to her friend from the OKF Grill, and Stinson then wondered exactly how many places were there to get food in Armstrong-Spallumcheen, so she created a list.

The correct answer? Well, according to Stinson, it's 31.

"I am looking for other aspiring chefs that do not have a brick and mortar building that would love this opportunity," said Stinson, who will help promote the restaurant take overs on social media.

If you know anyone who cooks amazing foods, especially ethnic types, and they could benefit from this experience, you can reach Stinson at 250-215-0144 or message her through .

"The City of Armstrong is looking forward to some amazing cuisine," she said.