2/6/19 A Tasteful Affair Legislative Reception Members of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association gathered with legislators for a relaxed evening at the biggest legislative reception in the state.
2/6/19 ORA Annual Meeting ORA members met at the Oklahoma History Center on February 6, 2019 to formulate association activities and vote on 2019 leadership.
2/6/19 Hospitality Day at the Capitol Members of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association gathered at the State Capitol and spoke to legislators about issues facing our industry.
11/12/18 Hirst Hospitality Awards Members rolled out on November 12, 2018 for the 20th Annual Hirst Hospitality Awards, which pays tribute to the backbone of the restaurant industry - the restaurant employees. This event also supports the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation's goal of providing scholarships to qualified students of the hospitality industry. What a fantastic night!
9/26-27/18 Culinary Cook-off Twelve Oklahoma chefs, accompanied by culinary students from across the state, competed in the Culinary Cook-off on September 26 and 27, 2018. Using a mystery basket of ingredients, they raced the clock as they competed in various heats and were judged on plate presentation, creativity, product taste, and sanitation practices. Congratulations to everyone who competed!
7/19/18 Odyssey de Culinaire Tulsa The ORA hosted Odyssey de Culinaire on July 19 at the River Spirit Casino Resort. Attendees enjoyed a “Loclahoma: Featuring Local Oklahoma Farms & Friends” menu theme.
7/12/18 Odyssey de Culinaire OKC The beautiful Skirvin Hilton Hotel was the location for the OKC Odyssey dinner. Chefs did a great job with the French “Ode to Bocuse: A Celebration of the Life and Recipes of Paul Bocuse” theme and attendees enjoyed their evening.
4/16/18 ORA Golf Classic Thanks to all the golfers who met us at Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club in Oklahoma City for the 2018 ORA Golf Classic! It was a fun day on the course!
4/3/18 TulsaFest Attendees had a great time at the annual TulsaFest event, featuring a networking luncheon and educational sessions. The event was held at the beautiful River Spirit Casino in Tulsa, and we’re already looking forward to 2019!
2/28/18 ProStart Student Invitational Industry professionals flooded the Embassy Suites Norman on February 28, 2018 for the annual Oklahoma ProStart Student Invitational. Top ProStart students showcase their talent, passion, and skill in the Culinary and Management competitions, where over $50,000 in scholarship money was at stake.
2/7/18 Hospitality Day/Legislative Reception Members of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association spoke to legislators about issues facing our industry, and then ended the day with the biggest legislative reception in the state.
2018 ORA Academy The ORA Academy offers continuing education and professional development to particular demographics of ORA’s membership; in 2018, the Academy visits both OKC and Tulsa with a BOH/Culinary track and a FOH/Management track!
11/6/17 Hirst Hospitality Awards Members rolled out on November 6, 2017 for the annual Hirst Hospitality Awards, which pays tribute to the backbone of the restaurant industry - the restaurant employees. This event also supports the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation's goal of providing scholarships to qualified students of the hospitality industry. What a fantastic night!
8/30/17 ORA Cocktail Shakedown Bartenders from ORA member restaurants put their skills and abilities to the test on August 30 as they competed through timed rounds of cocktail preparations including the Championship Round. As each bartender lifted a shaker and created his or her requisite signature concoction, they raced the clock to create innovative and crazy delicious cocktails that were judged on taste and balance, originality, drink presentation, and stage presentation.
8/30-31/17 Oklahoma Restaurant Convention & Expo More than 6,000 industry professionals attended the annual Oklahoma Restaurant Convention & Expo, the largest trade show in the state of Oklahoma and the most important event for foodservice and hospitality industry professionals! This year's convention offered exciting educational seminars and mixology demonstrations, hundreds of exhibits, an opening night party, the ever-popular Culinary Cook-off, and the exciting Cocktail Shakedown.
8/30-31/17 Culinary Cook-off Twelve Oklahoma chefs, accompanied by culinary students from across the state, competed in the Culinary Cook-off on August 30 and 31, 2017. Using a mystery basket of ingredients, they raced the clock as they competed in various heats and were judged on plate presentation, creativity, product taste, and sanitation practices. Congratulations to everyone who competed!
7/27/17 Odyssey de Culinaire OKC The beautiful Skirvin Hilton Hotel was the location for the OKC Odyssey dinner. Chefs did a great job with the “Regional Fusion” theme and attendees enjoyed their evening.
7/20/17 Odyssey de Culinaire Tulsa The ORA hosted Odyssey de Culinary on July 20 at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel. Attendees enjoyed a “Sunday Supper“ menu theme.
4/24/17 ORA Golf Classic Thanks to all the golfers who met us at Quail Creek Golf & Country Club in Oklahoma City for the 2017 ORA Golf Classic! It was a fun day on the course!
2017 ORA Academy The ORA Academy offered continuing education and professional development to particular demographics of ORA’s membership; in 2017, the Academy had both a BOH/Culinary track and a FOH/Management track! All sessions were so successful that we'll be hosting Academy in both OKC and Tulsa in 2018!
6/30-7/1/15 Oklahoma ProStart Educator Conference ProStart educators from across the state came together for this annual event that included educational topics, hands-on culinary training, lunch, pertinent information about the State Competition, and an optional ProStart ServSafe Instructor Certification Class.