First episode of Routes: A Discover Oklahoma Production will be available for streaming Thursday
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Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department
123 Robert S Kerr Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(800) 652-6552
First episode of Routes: A Discover Oklahoma Production will be available for streaming Thursday
Episode features James Beard Awards-nominated chefs in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY, August 16, 2024 — The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) today announced the first episode of Routes: A Discover Oklahoma Production will be available Thursday, August 22 online at Discover-Oklahoma.com.
The first episode, “Oklahoma: A Chef’s Playground,” features current and former James Beard Awards nominees and winners across Oklahoma. Additional details on those featured in the episode are included below:
Oklahoma City – Chef Andrew Black, Grey Sweater
Oklahoma City – Chef Jeff Chanchaleune, Ma Der Lao Kitchen
Idabel – Chef Tabb Singleton, Phat Tabb’s BBQ
“Routes, a Discover Oklahoma Original Series is a new cinematic docuseries that takes viewers on an exciting journey to an Oklahoma they may never have known existed,” said Shelley Zumwalt, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. “The show will reveal the heart and soul behind Oklahoma’s remarkable resilience and ability to continue to rise again and again. The Discover Oklahoma legacy lives on in this new series highlighting the people, places and communities that make Oklahoma special.”
Routes: A Discover Oklahoma Production is an original cinematic documentary-style film series from OTRD and VI Marketing and Branding that highlights notable people and places across the state where roots were laid and communities were made. It serves as a valuable resource in sharing travel and tourism insights about Oklahoma, its history, culture and people, for both local and regional audiences.
“Watching this clip, I say to myself ‘oh my God, this is our own chef’s table and I'm so honored to be a part of this,’” said Chef Andrew Black of Grey Sweater. “What an amazing state to live in and to be a part of as our culture grows. This is such a great opportunity to showcase Oklahoma to the world and just to know this is the beginning. I'm so honored to be among a great circle of people to speak on the quality of this work that is produced locally in Oklahoma — it’s just unbelievable, and a true testament to who we are and where we're going.”
The complete first season, featuring four episodes, will be released on a bi-monthly cadence.
Episode 1: August 2024
Episode 2: October 2024
Episode 3: December 2024
Episode 4: February 2025
Additional episodes feature the following:
Tulsa Sound - explores the Tulsa ties of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan and Leon Russell alongside the enduring musical spirit of the city by focusing on Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa's most famous historical venue.
Route 66 - The final episode in the first season dives into the history and legacy of Route 66, including its impact and significance for communities across Oklahoma.
Future episode topics – Outdoors, Western Historians, Aerospace and more.
“Watching this series come to life has been the greatest privilege,” said Taylor Nelson, OTRD Chief of Staff. “Routes showcases Oklahoma in an entirely new light, and it’s been truly thrilling to share our state’s story in such an impactful way. I am incredibly proud of the team at OTRD who have worked towards this release, and I’m grateful to those who have come before us to make the Discover Oklahoma brand so beloved across our great state.”
OTRD partnered with VI Marketing and Branding to elevate and reposition Discover Oklahoma. VI, a full-service marketing firm based in Oklahoma City, was instrumental in the concept, production and development of the new series, Routes.
Media opportunities are available with Shelley Zumwalt on Wednesday, August 21. To set up an interview, please contact Chase Horn at eat0@eau0eav0eaw0.
About the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department seeks to make Oklahoma a premier destination for visitors around the world by promoting and preserving Oklahoma for all to explore. As the third-largest industry in Oklahoma, tourism is a strong driver of economic growth and development. In 2022, the tourism industry contributed $11.8 billion to the state’s economy in direct visitor spending, generated $833 million in state and local tax revenue and supported over 100,000 jobs.
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