Omaha Restaurant Association

at 4270 N 139th St, Omaha , 68164 United States

1. Organization
2. Food & Beverage

The ORA was established in 1944 as a non-profit organization to promote the highest standard of quality in the Omaha Hospitality industry through leadership, scholarship, philanthropy, and advocacy.

Description

ORA History The Omaha Restaurant Association began in 1944 with a small group of restaurateurs that met at the Castle Hotel. Seven faithful members agreed to serve on the first Board of Directors and began meeting every month to discuss the purpose of the ORA as well as the welfare of their members and of the hospitality industry, in general. One of the early purposes was to promote “eating out”, and they did succeed, as Omaha is known to this day as a city of great food, and great restaurants... In the early years, the ORA did not have paid staff, and was operated solely by the elected board. In the early 1980’s that was changed by the Board, resulting in the hiring of Mr. Harold Norman to be the first Executive Director. Harold, with his wife Dorothy, were very instrumental in the growth, and stature of the ORA. Perhaps one of Harold’s biggest achievements was the thousands of dollars he raised for scholarships. Upon Harold’s retirement in 2000, Jennie Warren was named the new Executive Director and remains in that position 12 years later, as the ORA continues to thrive. The ORA has served the community well through the promotion eating at Omaha’s great restaurants. The ORA also works with many local groups and agencies to insure that Omaha is always known for great food and service. Some of the agencies the ORA has worked with include the Douglas County Health Department, the Nebraska Restaurant Association, The American Culinary Federation, and the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College. The ORA has additionally served the residents of the area by offering scholarships to those outstanding individuals who are interested in making a career in the food industry. What was once a committee of the ORA (The Scholarship Committee), in 1991 became the Omaha Restaurant Association Foundation (ORAF). It is now an affiliated but separate organization that promotes and distributes scholarships. The ORA can look with pride at the reputation that Omaha restaurants have developed in the greater metro area. It is proud of its members who have risen to positions of national prominence. Perhaps unprecedented, the ORA has had three individuals who have gone on to be President of the National Restaurant Association. We owe a great debt of gratitude to these individuals, as well as all of those who have served on the ORA Board, especially our presidents, and our two Executive Directors. If not for their dedication, perhaps Omaha would not be so well known for its wonderful restaurants. ORA Members that became National Restaurant Presidents: 1919-1920 John W. Welch, the First President 1959-1960 Raymond C. Matson, Hilltop House 1994-1995 Herman Cain, Godfather’s Pizza, INC.

Opening time

• Mondays: 08:00- 17:00
• Tuesdays: 08:00- 17:00
• Wednesdays: 08:00- 17:00
• Thursdays: 08:00- 17:00
• Fridays: 08:00- 17:00

Company Rating

892 FB users likes Omaha Restaurant Association, set it to 11 position in Likes Rating for Omaha, Nebraska in Organization category

Summary

Omaha Restaurant Association is Omaha based place and this enity listed in Food & Beverage category. Located at 4270 N 139th St NE 68164. Contact phone number of Omaha Restaurant Association: (402) 493-4739