Hidden Gem - E-Town Feature

Near the northwest corner of town, a tree-lined drive obscures an oasis of food and fun. The golf course at the corner of Oakwood and Willow is a familiar landmark for Enid residents, but there’s more happening at the Oakwood Country Club than meets the eye these days. Night after night, Executive Chef Marcelo Miranda turns food into art and delivers a fine-dining experience unlike anything else in town.

Chef Marcel—as he is affectionately called—takes pride in being approachable and enjoys “going the extra mile” to deliver a memorable experience with “innovative cuisine, exceptional service, and refined presentation.” Although Chef Marcel is a four-time Silver Medal Award winner, was previously named Top Chef of Oklahoma, and has decades of experience working in 5-star hotels and resorts from California to Florida, it’s not his accolades that you’ll hear about from him first. It’s food.

“I love to cook. It’s my life,” he says, and he does plenty of it. Chef Marcel leads The Grill, the restaurant inside the OCC Clubhouse, which is open six days a week for members and their guests. On top of that, he leads the outside Catering & Event services, delivering fabulous food anywhere caterers are allowed. He says he loves when clients “share ideas and brainstorm possibilities” with him and his 11-person team. He approaches “every event as a creative endeavor,” bringing an artistic approach to the culinary arts.

A closer look at The Grill’s menu highlights some of Chef Marcel’s skill. The Beefsteak Tomato Salad arrives with tomato slices standing on end and is served with balsamic Bermuda onions, homemade vinaigrette dressing and a wedge of blue cheese. The Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon entrée includes porcini mushroom ravioli, farm-raised salmon with a blackened crust, caper berries, tomato coulis, and a crown of julienned carrots, zucchini, and yellow squash. Asked about the decision to pair salmon and tomato sauce in the same dish, Chef Marcel hints at the science behind the selection. “Salmon is a mild fish, so the acid in the tomato sauce and the capers helps to bring out the flavor,” he said.

Born in Brazil to Italian parents, Chef Marcel first came to Oklahoma 22 years ago and fell in love. Now he’s returned to the state and commutes from Oklahoma City to Enid each day in his Prius. He’s always loved Oklahoma, he says, for its friendly people and quality of life. Now he’s delighting the members and guests of the Oakwood Country Club with an “elegant and creative dining experience.”

“Chef Marcelo Miranda has elevated the division’s level of expertise entirely,” said Cole Wasinger, Oakwood Country Club General Manager. “I have no doubt in my mind that his culinary excellence and seasoned professionalism have enhanced our food quality and presentation,” Wasinger said.

“I enjoy the collaborative relationship I have with Cole,” Chef Marcel said. “I like being free to come up with new concepts and food options.”

While Chef Marcel eagerly accommodates special requests, he recognized there were some needs he couldn’t fill with a dine-in experience. Some members might not have the time, for example, or might want to take something home. To meet this need, Chef Marcel introduced a collection of freshly prepared Grab & Go options of soups, salads, and entrées that are ready to go and packaged for traveling. He also redesigned The Grill menu to make it easy for members to customize their entrées by selecting from a variety of proteins, sides, and sauces to pair with everyday favorites like lobster bisque soup.

It’s all about creating and delivering memorable occasions, Chef Marcel says. It’s clear he means to accomplish the mission, whether he’s orchestrating Sunday brunch or the event of a lifetime.

The Grill inside the OCC Clubhouse is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, offers brunch on Sundays, and is closed Monday. For more information on membership, or to schedule a tour of the Oakwood Country Club, contact Cole Wasinger, General Manager, at 580-234-5811. For information on how to have Chef Marcel cater your next meeting or event, send an email to catering@oakwoodofenid.com.

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