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Chef Ora E: Culinary Diva
October 22, 2009
We all have a special girlfriend that we can let our hair down with and talk to about the “issues” in our lives. But, how many of us have that “Ultimate Girlfriend” that can cook up a resolution and a good southern meal. Maybe Chef Ora E, the new official 3rd “Girlfriend” on Girls DO Talk and chef to the stars knows that the stomach is really the secret to one’s mind.
The celebrity chef to some of the world’s greatest athletes, Chef Ora E is truly a culinary queen of all trades with a signature cocktail and cookie launching this season. The host of her own TV show called The Secret to Life is Butter encourages ambitious ones to follow their destiny and accept life’s trials as blessings in disguise. And Chef Ora E can testify to that.
Hi Chef Ora! It’s always so much fun talking to one of the “Ultimate Girlfriends.“
I know that you come from a huge family of 13 siblings. Did you learn how to throw down in the kitchen from your mother or did other relatives contribute to your culinary expertise as well?
Actually, I learned from my mom and my dad. My dad was the head chef when he was in the army. He’s a master on the grill so I learned a lot of stuff from him. My mom is a lover of life and she always said we should be celebrated not tolerated. We celebrated all holidays. We even had celebrations for MLK day. My whole family would get together for holidays. Food represents family for me. I love to celebrate so [what they taught me] definitely stuck.
You are known for your healthy dishes that are also beautifully detailed and multi-cultural. Why is it important for wives, mothers, amateur caterers and others to incorporate these three elements in their dishes?
Visually its important. You’re going to eat something that looks pretty. Like, a lot of people don’t like oatmeal. But if you add brown sugar or cinnamon, its looks (and tastes) better.
For me, it’s important because I have a love and passion for it. But for those who don’t, you don’t have to over-think the process. You’re doing it for those you love, so you’re going to put love and care into it naturally. Just go for what you like. There’s so many cookbooks and recipes out there that you don’t have to put a lot of thought into it.
So, we’re all curious. What Chef Ora entrees do your celebrity clients like the most?
Everyone is different. You just supply and provide for their taste buds. I come from a healthy perspective.
What about…
…Shaquille O’Neal? Shaq likes chicken.
…Lamar Odom? Lamar has a sweet tooth. I always make caramel cakes and carrot cakes for him. He loves candy and cookies, so I made certain that those were in the house.
…James Posey? James Posey likes chocolate… and lasagna.
Do you find that sports figures’ appetite differs from the rest of us?
Yes, because we’re all made different and our food intake differs. For athletes, I focus on nutrition and their bodies. I focus on cardio vascular and their muscles and joints because I want to make sure their muscles stay hydrated so they don’t cramp up and swell and release gases that affect the joints. I don’t’ want too much fat to get into their blood stream; That starts clots in the arteries.
We all know that Lamar Odom just married Khloe Kardashian. What would you have prepared for the wedding?
Well, Khloe and Lamar just started dating so they’re probably still in the process of learning what the other one likes. [ I would have ] fruits, pastas, lasagna, desserts. He’s an Italian kind of guy.
So, tell us about your TV show The Secret to Life is Butter. The title sounds crazy because isn’t butter bad for your health?
Everybody loves butter. Butter is not out to harm you!
The media has put such a bad name on butter. The marketing strategy for margarine has made butter look ugly, but butter is much better for you than margarine. If you read the facts between the two, you’ll realize it.
We [humans] are a natural form, so we digest natural items better. Margarine is a man-made product made with oil.
You’ve been one of the “Ultimate Girlfriends” on your sister Loretta Foxx’s TV show Girls DO Talk for quite some time now. But how does it feel to be the official third girlfriend on the fabulous show?
It feels real good. It feels wonderful to have an organic conversation. The show covers all relationships; whether it’s with family, a good friend, your mate, or your kids; …everything is built from a relationship. I love giving a solution to someone who has been looking for the answer to some question.
Every time I get together with the girls…we always have a blast.
Loretta and I are a riot together. Everybody shoots from the hips and it is what it is.
And now, Girls DO Talk has their own official cocktail? Now that’s the ultimate in fabulosity!
It is the ultimate! I love it, you‘ll love it. It makes you feel good and happy. It’s perfect for hanging with your girlfriends. When you need to laugh and just forget about what’s going on at the house, it makes you feel good and giddy.
(laughs) Good and giddy? I’m assuming the fabulous drink is an alcoholic cocktail?
Yes, inside there’s fresh fruit juice (cranberry,) lemonade and tequila! I have clients who don’t even drink tequila, but love it. It’s best when served with lots of ice.
The cocktail will launch at our “Laptop & Latte Happy Hour” at the Palms Restaurant this Friday (Oct. 23.) If you’re a social butterfly, you’ll love it! There’s a combination crowd. There are so many people who are in their late twenties and thirties and doing their thing. That’s what it’s all about. Getting out there and making it work. And it’s a great place to meet girlfriends, plus good food, good drinks and great fun!
And it’s always happy hour somewhere in the world, right? (laughs)
Right! (laughs) We also have a deal pending with a premiere tequila [for the cocktail.]
And, just when I thought it couldn’t get any better than an official “Girlfriend” drink, I hear you make the most delicious cookies as well?
Yes. I am also developing a menu of my signature cookies. The cookies will launch soon as well. They are made from all natural ingredients, including butter, of course. My favorite is the Ultimate Butter Cookie with cinnamon. That’s my favorite spice. I’ve been getting good reviews on the cookies, so I’m not the only one who loves them. For fall, I also have Sweet Potato Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon Apple and Oatmeal Pumpkin.
Oh Wow! Those sound so yummy! I can’t wait!What other projects does Chef Ora have her oven mitts in?
I also design cookies for corporate companies. I do seminars and teach men, women and children that food is our friend. You just have to know how to make food work for you.
I know my JOURNALICIOUS! D-Lite! Readers are wondering how you became a celebrity chef in the first place? What’s your story?
I worked in fashion illustration and design for years, but I didn’t care for the job anymore. I had done it all my life. Fashion was all I knew, but I was tired of it. So when I was let go, I considered it a huge blessing.
One day that summer , I got a call with an offer to cook for Shaquille O’Neal. He was my first client. I became his personal chef and he moved me to Miami. I loved it. I loved his family. They gave me a great opportunity.
[After that] God, sent me to Cali. I was Lamar (Odom’s) personal chef for two years. And then God opened a bigger and better door. That second summer I got a call from Tyson Chandler; the Chandlers were in Oklahoma. Then, Chris Paul [called from ] New Orleans. Paul Pierce called last summer. Now, I’m back in New Orleans working with James Posey. I live here during the season and during the off season , I do other stuff [with other clients.] My sister (Loretta) is friends with Josh Howard and I’ve cooked for him as well.
Wow! That’s amazing story. And I, personally, know someone that will be very uplifted with your anecdote for success.
Ok, so you’ve got your TV show The Secret to Life is Butter, you’re signature cookie coming soon and the Girls DO Talk signature cocktail launches this weekend at the Palms Restaurant in Dallas.
That’s right. I don’t mean to promote violence, but somebody’s gonna get knocked down trying to get to the cocktail! (laughs)
Visit Chef Ora E at www.myspace.com/cheforae
Join Girls DO Talk This Weekend
Oct. 22, Girls DO Talk Live Audience TV Show Taping at Bengal Coast (Uptown)
Oct. 23, Chef Ora E Launches the GDT Signature Cocktail “The Ultimate Girl” at GDT Laptop & Latte Happy Hour at Palm Restaurant (West End,)
Oct. 24, Loretta Foxx and Go-To-Girlz Breast Cancer Walk – Walk A Mile In My Stilettos at Saks Fifth Avenue (Galleria)
Oct. 25, Ultimate Girlfriend Rebekah V Birthday Party – Saturday Night in Hollywood at Opus Lounge with our Ultimate Boyfriend Brandon Brown of the Members Only Network
BIG MIKE AND JOSH HOWARD HOST MAKING IT POP 2 AT THE LOFT NYrs EVE NITE
December 31, 2008MAKING IT POP 2 (NYE)
http://www.rsvpvip.com/makingitpop2/
Big Mike & Josh howard present:
“MAKING IT POP 2″ AT THE LOFT
LOCATED DOWN TOWN DALLAS SOUTH LAMAR STREET
If you missed it last year, then you missed the biggest event of the start of the new year!
Dec 31, 2008 this event will be bigger and better inviting every one in the Dallas metroplex area for an extravagant night out on the town!
Guest invites are Jho’s (Josh Howard) NBA friends and Big Mikes entire family (which is the whole state of TEXAS!!) so get there early to avoid the crazy long line’s.
$15 ALL NIGHTT
DOORS OPEN AT 10PM
2 LEVELS PLUS 3000 SQ FT PATIO!! (HEATED TENT THIS YEAR)
V.I.P. LOUNGE
BOTTLE SERVICE & TABLE SERVICE
4 FULL SERVICE BARS
THERE WILL BE TWO MAIN ENTRANCES
Major League DJ SKI – DALLAS, TX
DJ Kokopelli – San Antonio, TX
THIS EVENT IS GOING TO BE ONE TO REMEMBER! Call Brandon Brown for bottle service 302.384.1949 ($300/Moet+5 Guest) ($400/Moet/Table+5 Guest)
