Oklahoma’s newest culinary celebration will arrive on Saturday, October 17, as OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark debuts OKANAFest, the state’s first resort-wide food, wine and entertainment festival. Tailored exclusively for guests aged 21 and over, this inaugural, high-energy experience will completely take over OKANA, transforming the property into a vibrant journey of flavor, sound, and atmosphere — highlighted by a special celebrity-chef appearance from Hell’s Kitchen champion and culinary industry leader, Chef Christina Wilson.
“This is not your typical festival,” said Gerson Velasquez, Managing Director of OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark. “Guests won’t simply be sampling food—they’ll experience the creativity and craftsmanship that define every dining venue across the resort. We set out to create an experience that encourages guests to explore every corner of the resort while discovering exceptional cuisine, thoughtfully curated wines and spirits, live entertainment, and unexpected moments along the way. Whether you are enjoying an exclusive VIP cocktail experience with a master mixologist or taking in performances from bands and aerialists throughout the resort, every detail is designed for guests to wander, taste, and stay awhile.”
Created as an annual signature event, OKANAFest reflects OKANA’s commitment to expanding beyond traditional hospitality experiences by introducing destination events that encourage both locals and visitors to experience the property in new ways throughout the year.
Event Highlights Include:
Chef-Driven Bites: Standout dishes crafted by OKANA’s inspired culinary team, led by Executive Chef Wyatt Rogers, highlighting the best flavors from across the resort’s 14 dining venues. Throughout the event, guests will experience exclusive tasting menus, live cooking demonstrations, limited-time festival dishes and chef-created bites available only during OKANAFest.
Premium Beverage Partners: Curated tastings featuring an extensive lineup of top-tier beer, wine, and spirits. Guests will sample wines, craft beers and premium spirits from nationally recognized brands while learning directly from beverage experts through guided tastings, cocktail demonstrations and curated pairings.
Immersive Entertainment: High-energy live performances and music woven throughout the entire resort layout, from live bands and DJs to aerial bartending and contortionists.
Celebrity Chef Headliner: Chef Christina Wilson
OKANA is thrilled to welcome Chef Christina Wilson to play a special role in OKANAFest. Originally from the East Coast, Wilson honed her craft in several of Philadelphia’s acclaimed restaurants before competing on, and winning, Season 10 of Hell’s Kitchen in 2012. Her victory earned her the coveted position of Executive Chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas and since then she rose through the ranks of Gordon Ramsay North America, ultimately serving as Vice President of Culinary and helping to lead the opening of more than two dozen restaurants worldwide — including Ramsay’s Kitchen at Chisholm Creek, where she first fell in love with Oklahoma City.
“The people here make you feel at home instantly,” said Wilson. “I was pleasantly surprised by the dynamic food, cocktail, and art scene. This city is packed with talent. You can feel that Oklahoma City is on the cusp of a true renaissance – it has the same energy Austin had two decades ago: incredible momentum, a vibrant culture, and a community deeply proud of its midwestern roots.”
Wilson now combines her passion for cooking and OKC as she headlines an exclusive VIP meet & greet, live cooking demonstration, and Q&A session at OKANAFest, giving guests the rare chance to connect with her in person.
Ticket Options & Elevated VIP Access:
Guests can book General Admission tickets, priced at $75, for full access to OKANAFest’s festival showcase, including live entertainment throughout the resort, food, wine and spirits tastings, a custom OKANAFest wine glass, and immersive photo ops.
For guests looking to make the most of their day, VIP Access tickets, priced at $125, unlock an elevated, limited-access experience layered on top of everything General Admission offers. VIP guests enjoy:
Complimentary valet parking and one hour early admission
Exclusive meet & greet with Celebrity Chef Christina Wilson, Hell’s Kitchen Season 10 Champion
Premium chef-driven brunch buffet, curated by OKANA’s culinary team
Intimate, VIP-only live entertainment and cocktail demonstrations from expert mixologists
Custom OKANAFest wine glass lanyard
To purchase tickets or learn more about the event, visit www.okanaresort.com/offers-events/okana-fest/ or call (572) 228-4001.
Dining and Cooking