posted at 2:50 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Some of Ryan Woodward’s. front second from the right, staff Monica Smith, from left, Linda Pruitt, Gary Bevins and Hugh Sexton will be among those the menu for the Owasso Community Resources’ Owasso’s Best Gala on Saturday.

Having 700 over for a meal, who would you call? In Owasso the person to put in charge of such a task is Ryan Woodward, dietary and catering manager at Bailey Medical Center.

Woodward, who has a degree in hotel and restaurant administration from Oklahoma State University, is up to the challenge.

His latest project will involved feeding more than 700 people in a two-day period. It is not his normal routine, but this Friday and Saturday will be different as he coordinates a menu that includes French crepes, Italian cannolis and Mexican empanadas, as well as a heart-healthy diet and regular meals at the Bistro, the medical center's cafeteria. Advertisement

On Saturday, Bailey Education Foundation will host the biggest event is has since opening in Owasso.

"Owasso Community Resources Gala, it's the biggest one we've done here," said Woodward.

The gala is the annual fundraiser for OCR and will feature a tour around the world with cuisines from four different countries.

Although, Woodward won't be responsible for the sushi and Japanese food at the event, that will be provided by chefs from Reasor's, he will be coordinating every item that guests will be eating.

Food preparations for the OCR Gala began early this week so everything will be ready, he said.

Some items, like tamales, could prepared ahead of time and placed in the cooler. Other food will be prepared at the event, including the crepes and fajitas.

"Everything will be homemade," Woodward said. "It's totally different styles of cooking, we'll be utilizing all our resources for the event."

Food stations will be throughout Bailey Education Foundation Center, as well as two giant tents outside. Italian food will be featured in the main room.

Gala guests will find French food as they first enter where they will see mini hot air balloons.

Then guests will find Japanese food including sushi prepared by Japanese Sushi chefs donated by Japanese Food Express of Reasors.

Two giant tents will house the area where Mexican food will be offered.

The Latin buffet will include beef and chicken enchiladas, tamales, taquitos, tacos, empanadas, chips, and fresh salsa and guacamole.

In the French and Mexican areas there will be ice sculptures, costing about $700, Woodward said.

He and his staff of nine will not neglect their regular routines on Friday and Saturday.

Members of his staff include Monica Smith, Linda Pruitt, Gary Bevins, Hugh Sexton, Lori Insley, Maria Mejia, Lurdes Zaragoza, Dax Swastneberg and Karen Kennedy. They are responsible for patient meals three times daily and feeding more than 200 staff at the medical center. All this will be out of the same kitchen, Woodward said.

His staff will begin working at 6 a.m. on Saturday and work until the event concludes that night.

OCR Executive Director Jeannette North is planning for 400 gala participants, so Woodward has a full weekend.

Prior to coming to Bailey, he worked managing a Pei Wei restaurant for one and a half years. He has also opened a couple of restaurants.

"OCR is are largest charity," Woodward said." We really like helping out OCR. They do a good job to help the community. That's why we are here too, to help the community."

The value of Bailey's contribution is somewhere between $25,000 to $30,000, which includes food, materials, facility and staff, he said.

This isn't the first OCR event Woodward has catered. Last year, he and his staff provided the menu for a book signing by Jim Stovall.

Providing services for special events is becoming a regular thing for Woodward and his staff.

"I've done six weddings here and there will be four more this year," he said. "We've had an actual ceremony here. We've got the facility, but people don't think about having a wedding at a hospital per se."

Tickets are $100 per person for the event that begins at 5:30 p.m.. Call 272-4969 for more information to purchase tickets. Tickets are available at F&M Bank on 96th St. N. or RCB Bank on 86th St. N. or call 272-4969 to reserve your ticket with Visa and MasterCard.

OCR provides a food pantry, emergency utility assistance and a host of other services.

It helped 865 children with school supplies and 321 Thanksgiving meals and 550 children with Christmas gifts and 20 disabled adults in the cities of Owasso and Collinsville.

©Neighbor Newspapers 2008