Looking for photos, stories about Jacques Orenstein

**Steve** · 07-08-2009, 10:49 PM

Doug, let me have my fun here - I'm doing this for okchistory.com!

**gen70** · 07-09-2009, 10:08 AM

I may live under a rock but, who is he?

**Steve** · 07-09-2009, 10:21 AM

Sorry. Jacques Orenstein was, according to many, the first gourmet chef and restaurant operator in Oklahoma City (although I'm sure there were others in earlier years). He had a cooking show on WKY TV throughout the 70s, operated several restaurants in the 60s, 70s and 80s, and owned Creative Cookery.

**TOWNHERO** · 07-09-2009, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Steve

Sorry. Jacques Orenstein was, according to many, the first gourmet chef and restaurant operator in Oklahoma City (although I'm sure there were others in earlier years). He had a cooking show on WKY TV throughout the 70s, operated several restaurants in the 60s, 70s and 80s, and owned Creative Cookery.

I had forgot about him and when you explained who he was, I remembered. I believe the first restaurant he opened was on N Western. Just north of NW 60th. Around 1965-1966, he opened a restaurant by the airport. I believe the building is still three. It was called, and my memory is not as good as it use to be, "Sign of the Ram" or "Rams Head". I actually worked there for about a year. I lived on the southside off of 37th and May. I worked there for about nine months or so as a buseboy. I wasn't old enough to drive but had to ride my motorcycle to work. The restaurant was also part of a motel/hotel. I did the room service also. One time I remember a popular rock band was in town for a concert and they were staying at the motel. I think it was the Grass Root? Anyway, I got their room service a couple of time and they gave me a BIG tip and I got to meet them.

**Steve** · 07-09-2009, 10:38 AM

TOWNHERO, do you have any memories of Orenstein? What was he like?

**gen70** · 07-09-2009, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Steve

Sorry. Jacques Orenstein was, according to many, the first gourmet chef and restaurant operator in Oklahoma City (although I'm sure there were others in earlier years). He had a cooking show on WKY TV throughout the 70s, operated several restaurants in the 60s, 70s and 80s, and owned Creative Cookery.

I still don't remember him but do you know the address of Creative Cookery?

**TOWNHERO** · 07-09-2009, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Steve

TOWNHERO, do you have any memories of Orenstein? What was he like?

I think I was 15 So any memories are probably tainted. I would work from 4:00pm to 11:00/12:00pm. I don't think he was around very much. I vaguely remember another chef that was a big man. I do remember, she was either his admin assitant or something like, the lady turned out to be the mother of a girl that was the best friend of my future girlfriend and later wife. I met them again in 1969 when I was working for a Humpty's on NW 23rd and Portland.