Events - Oklahoma Restaurant Association

Events

The Oklahoma Restaurant Association and the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation provide many opportunities for education, networking, and entertainment. Our committees work hard to plan events featuring top speakers, hot topics, and broad appeal. As we address the ever-changing needs of the industry, the ORA reserves the right to put health measures in place for the safety of our members and attendees, which might also include revisions to our annual meetings, events, and activities. We ask for your cooperation and support.

	Oklahoma ProStart Student Competition February 24 - 25, 2022 -Location TBA Come cheer on the future of the restaurant industry as high school students from around the state compete in two distinct competitions for over $50,000 in scholarship awards and the chance to represent Oklahoma in the National ProStart Invitational.
	ORA Annual Member Meeting & 2021 ORA Board of Directors Meeting The Oklahoma Restaurant Association's Annual Meeting to be held virtually at 10:00 am on February 10, 2021, allowing members from across the state of Oklahoma to participate and learn more about the state of Oklahoma's restaurant industry. The event’s key elements include the association's Annual Meeting followed by the introduction of the 2021 ORA Board of Directors and Officers.
	TulsaFest March 29, 2022: River Spirit Casino Resort - Tulsa TulsaFest is an annual members-only event featuring exciting educational programming from top speakers both inside and outside of the restaurant industry.
	Hospitality Day & "A Tasteful Affair" Legislative Reception March 9, 2022: Oklahoma History Center It's that time of year to celebrate and showcase what makes the Oklahoma Hospitality Industry so special. The day will begin with Hospitality Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol where industry leaders will meet with state officials. Following Hospitality Day, the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association are excited to invite you to join us for our, “A Tasteful Affair” Legislative Reception!
	HospitAbilities Virtual Testing Days October tba, 2021: Francis Tuttle Technology Center - Rockwell Campus, Oklahoma City Twice a year the HospitAbilities program hosts testing days for students of all abilities at the Francis Tuttle Technology Center in Oklahoma City.
	ORA Golf Classic October 11, 2021 Quail Creek Golf & Country Club, Oklahoma City Well, it looks like instead of opening the golf season - the ORA Golf Classic will have the opportunity to close the golf season. We hope you'll join us later this year, as members gather to enjoy friendship and a great day on the course. Hope to see you there!
	Odyssey de Culinaire July 15, 2021: Skirvin Hilton Hotel, Oklahoma City July 22, 2021: River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa Hosted in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City, this annual event includes great wines and an amazing five-course dinner created by Chefs and Oklahoma ProStart culinary students. It's two nights filled with fun, style, and amazing food and wine!
	ORA Expo August 18-19, 2021: Bennett Event Center, Oklahoma City Join us for the biggest event of the year! Discover the newest products, latest innovations, and hottest trends in food and beverage services at the ORA Expo. This annual event attracts thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibitors while showcasing products from top manufacturers of food, equipment, and hospitality suppliers.
	Thirst for A Cause August 25, 2021, Petroleum Club Event Center, Oklahoma City This annual event started in 2009, raises funds to help with urgent medical expenses for members of Oklahoma's hospitality industry. Through our non-profit the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation, we are able to give something back to the hard-working employees of independent restaurants and country clubs.
	Hirst Hospitality Awards November 8, 2021: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City This annual event of more than 400 attendees pays tribute to the backbone of the restaurant industry - the restaurant employees and features individual industry recognitions, a live auction and, a featured Vintner.

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Central Hospitality Job Fair

06.02.21

The Oklahoma Restaurant Association, the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, Moore/Norman Technology Center, Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Norman, HeartLine and United Way of Central Oklahoma will host the Central Oklahoma Hospitality Job Fair. The job fair is free to the public and will take place on Friday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Moore/Norman Technology Campus, South Penn Campus located at 13301 South Pennsylvania Ave. A wide variety of hospitality jobs will be available including hotel guest services, waitstaff, culinary, banquets, housekeeping, attractions, maintenance, operations and management positions. The only registration required is for employers to secure a table at the job fair.

Odyssey de Culinaire

05.13.21

Odyssey de Culinaire is a fundraising and awareness dinner to benefit the Oklahoma ProStart® Program. This ever-popular event, which is open to the public, features 2 great evenings of dining with many of Tulsa and Oklahoma City's finest chefs being featured in their home cities. Each of the five courses features a chef mentoring a culinary student to treat attendees to an incredible five-course dinner. Experience an energetic evening and make an impact on culinary education in Oklahoma! Join us for one or both Odyssey de Culinaires - the Oklahoma Restaurant Association's only event open to the public!

Culinary Cook-Off

06.07.21

The Culinary Cook-off is a cooking competition that takes place during the ORA Expo. Oklahoma's most talented chefs will race the clock to create dazzling dishes using a mystery basket of ingredients. Chefs will compete in various heats until the contest is narrowed down to the last two chefs. Judges will consist of a panel of industry professionals who will critique each competitor on plate presentation, creativity, product taste, and sanitation practices, among other things. For each contestant, the high and low scores will be discarded. Chefs will be competing for a trophy, medals, and cash prizes. Learn more by clicking the link! #CCO2021

Cocktail Shakedown

06.07.21

Support Oklahoma’s most talented bartenders as they compete for prizes in the Oklahoma Restaurant Association Cocktail Shakedown. This exciting competition takes place during the first day of the ORA Expo. Bartenders from all over the state will put their skills and abilities to the test as they compete to move through four timed rounds of cocktail preparations including the Championship Round. As each bartender lifts a shaker and creates his or her requisite signature concoction, they race the clock to create innovative and crazy delicious cocktails that will be judged on taste and balance, originality, drink presentation, and stage presentation. Each round reduces the number of talented competitors until the four finalists compete for the grand prize! Applications will be available soon.