Twelve eateries and Queens Brewery gave away free samples of their food and beverages to roughly 250 passersby today, as Queens Restaurant Week 2014 officially kicked off with a festive outdoor ceremony at The Shops at Atlas Park in Glendale.

More than 200 restaurants — including such favorites as Bayside’s Bourbon Street, Rockaway’s Thai Rock, and Astoria’s Zenon Taverna — will participate this year. Most establishments will offer a three-course, prix fixe dinner for $28 and lunch for $14.

The borough is so cuisine-heavy that diners need more than a week to cover all their options. Thus, Queens Restaurant Week 2014 will run from Oct. 13 to Oct. 30, although owners will decide if they want to offer their specials on weekdays, weekends or both.

“One of the reasons we are known as ‘The World’s Borough’ is that our amazing diversity allows us to offer an incredible variety of the best dishes from around the world,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, who was at the kick-off. “Queens Restaurant Week is a great way to highlight this fact and encourage both borough residents and visitors to enjoy some of this outstanding cuisine. I hope everyone will take advantage of this great opportunity to enjoy some really amazing food!”

“Melrose Credit Union has been part of the NYC financial services landscape since 1922 and an active, Queens-based institution since the early 1960s. We realize and understand that the restaurant industry is part of the fabric of the mosaic that is Queens and NYC. And Melrose is part of that mosaic,” stated Melrose Credit Union Director of Marketing & Public Affairs Rob Nemeroff. “It is the foods of the many different cultures and ethnicities that create the common bonds between all New Yorkers. Food is one of the things that makes Queens the unique and wonderful a place that it is and Restaurant Week exemplifies that thought.”

“The Shops at Atlas Park is not only known for offering a dynamic retail mix but also for its great restaurants. That’s one of the main reasons we are very excited to host the Queens Restaurant Week kick-off event,” said Liza Diaz, Property Manager, The Shops at Atlas Park. “We are the perfect location for this community event as we offer ample free space in a family-friendly environment.”

“This is NYC’s most delicious bargain, as there truly is something for every taste bud,” added Queens Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Seth Bornstein.” Plus, it fits in perfectly with the Queens Tourism Council’s mission to inform on the borough’s wonderful places to eat, shop, enjoy culture and have family fun. It’s in Queens and Eats in Queens!”

Queens Restaurant Week 2014 is a program of the Queens Tourism Council. It is sponsored by Flamma 41, Jet Blue Airways, Melrose Credit Union, Queens Brewery, Queens Courier, Resorts World Casino New York City, and Restaurant Depot. ‘)}