Chef Kurt Fleischfresser began his career at Le Vichyssoise in Chicago under Chef Bernard Cretier, later working at The French Room at The Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, Enjolie at The Mandalay Four Seasons in Los Colinas, Vincent’s on Camelback in Phoenix, and La Champagne at the Registry Resort in Scottsdale, among others.
With his partner Chris Lower, he established some of the best restaurants in Oklahoma, including The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro, Ground Floor Café, Iguana Lounge, Earl’s Rib Palace, The Museum Café, Portobello, The Deep Fork Grill, Irma’s Burger Shack, and Montrachet (Tulsa). In 2004, Kurt obtained full ownership of The Coach House, and in 2009, joined Carl Milam and Western Concepts Restaurant Group.
Chef Kurt has twice been invited to the world-renown James Beard House in New York City as part of the Great Regional Chefs Program, and is a two-time finalist in the prestigious American Culinary Gold Cup Competition which is the first portion of The Bocuse d’Or. In April of 2009, Kurt was awarded the Medaille de Merite by L’Academie de Gastronomie Brillat-Savarin for his contributions in education in the culinary arts.
Kurt currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, is a member of The James Beard Organization and Slow Food, and is Director of Operations at Vast (OKC).