Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will trade baseball for bites on October 4, when the Culinary Arts Society of Oklahoma hosts its fourth annual Chef's Tasting from 4 to 7 p.m. The fundraiser brings together local restaurants, chefs, and culinary schools for food samples, beer and wine tastings, raffle prizes, and games, all in support of Oklahoma's next generation of kitchen talent.
According to The Journal Record, food-only tickets cost $25 for anyone older than 16 and $10 for ages 10 to 16, while children younger than 10 get in free. Beer and wine samples run an additional $10 per person, and tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Proceeds go toward two connected goals: scholarships for culinary and hospitality students, and certifications and scholarships for the high school and vocational teachers who train them.
The Culinary Arts Society of Oklahoma is the Oklahoma City chapter of the American Culinary Federation, officially designated Chapter OK032. Its chapter page describes support for students, chefs, and the foodservice industry, according to the American Culinary Federation OKC Chapter. The American Culinary Federation is referenced in the chapter's name.
A Fundraiser Built for Classrooms, Not Just Kitchens
A Fundraiser Built for Classrooms, Not Just Kitchens The Chef's Tasting is listed in the chapter's event listings on GoFevo, while The Journal Record describes this year's edition as the fourth annual event. What sets the event apart from a typical food festival is where the money actually lands: proceeds fund American Culinary Federation certifications for high school and career tech instructors, a detail confirmed by MetroFamily Magazine. That support connects the event to local culinary education.
That classroom pipeline runs through programs like the ProStart curriculum, a national high school career and technical education track. The Oklahoma Restaurant Association's 2026 material documents the Ben E. Keith Oklahoma ProStart Invitational, according to the Oklahoma Restaurant Association. Francis Tuttle's culinary arts programs had 140 students complete certificates in 2024, per Universities.com.
Why the Workforce Pipeline Matters
Students who move beyond high school programs can continue into higher education or training. That kind of on-ramp matters because Oklahoma's food service industry includes 7,790 eating and drinking places, according to 2025 National Restaurant Association data.
The same industry group's 2026 reporting discusses ProStart and lists scholarships and training resources, underscoring why events like the Chef's Tasting can support culinary education beyond a single evening of food and drink. Programs like Francis Tuttle's are part of the broader training landscape for the dining economy.
A Ballpark With Its Own Public Investment Story
Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is the venue for the Chef's Tasting.
