Chef Greg Richey brings years of experience in catering as OKC Zoo increases dining options.
As more couples, families, and groups choose the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden as the venue for their events, the Zoo’s food service partner, the SSA Group, has hired Executive Sous Chef Greg Richey to expand and refine its catering arm.
Before joining the Zoo, Richey recently helped open the Ramsey’s Kitchen location in Oklahoma City, worked as executive chef at the Stillwater Country Club, and worked as a caterer at Oklahoma State University.
“As exciting as restaurant work can be, I found myself missing catering,” Richey said. “And the fact that I’m a big animal lover played a part, too. In my brief time at the Zoo, everyone has been super friendly and helpful.”
Another positive of working with SSA and the Zoo is the balance of creativity and customer service, he said. Unlike working in an established restaurant system, Richey is able to do research and development on new recipes and dishes to make events held at the Zoo even more memorable.
Each day brings new opportunities, with SSA Group’s catering menu ranging from sweet and savory breakfast items, boxed lunches, and picnic dinners to plated events with dishes including grilled filet mignon, crispy skin salmon, and roasted cauliflower Wellington.
SSA General Manager Travis Byrd said Richey will bring new levels of culinary excellence to events in the Zoo’s Lotus Pavilion, Canopy Café, the new Love’s Pachyderm Building, and other venues.
“The best meal I had in Oklahoma City in 2024 was the tasting menu Chef Richey prepared during the interview process,” Byrd said. “I could feel a genuine love of cooking in his food, and I knew that his balance of flavors and thoughtful plating would exceed the standards we strive for with our catering operations. I hired Chef Richey in my mind before he served the fourth course.”
Groups looking to host events at the OKC Zoo can find more information about facilities and catering options at okczoo.org/private-events.
Guests exploring the park will find several dining options to choose from, including burgers at Canopy Café, Asian-inspired salads and sandwiches in Lotus Café, and hand-breaded chicken strips and chicken-fried steak sandwiches from Scratch Kitchen.
The Oklahoma City Zoo’s spring hours from Saturday, March 15 to Sunday March 24 are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with last entry at 5 p.m. Regular daytime hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4 p.m. Purchase advance Zoo admission tickets at okczoo.org/tickets and avoid the entry lines. Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the OKC Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, and Oklahoma City’s Adventure District.
Stay connected with the Zoo on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, Linktree and TikTok, and by visiting our blog stories. Make it a “brand zoo” day with a ZOOfriends membership! As a ZOOfriends member of the Oklahoma City Zoo, enjoy free admission for 12-months, plus additional benefits and discounts. You will also be supporting the Zoo’s animal family, education programming, and conservation initiatives both locally and globally. Join or renew today at www.okczoo.org/membership.