Why celebrity chef Bobby Flay told Oklahoma audience, 'I might never leave!'

The people who had traveled from across Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas were all excited about one person coming to Oklahoma — and they were ready to make it known.

As celebrity chef Bobby Flay took the stage at the Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant Thursday evening, the crowd of more than 500 people erupted in cheers and applause.

"I love this enthusiasm," Flay quipped at the crowd during his introduction to the meal they were set to enjoy. "I might never leave!"

The crowd cheered louder as he exited the stage to return to help kitchen staff prepare the four-course meal he and his team had spent months developing in partnership with the casino's staff for the evening's event.

Flay would return later to give a demonstration of how to prepare the main course of the dinner and answer questions from the crowd.

"Start drinking, start thinking about the questions you want to ask. We can have a big group therapy session if you'd like. It's really up to you. Anything you want to ask about, the restaurants, the shows, the food that you're eating tonight, some dilemma that you're having at home in terms of getting dinner to the table," Flay told the audience. "Whatever you want to ask, it's fair game. But remember, you're asking the question in front of lots of people, OK, so that's when I start to have some fun."

How did an Oklahoma casino end up hosting a dinner with Bobby Flay?

Durant, Oklahoma, might not be the first place you'd expect to get a meal from a celebrity chef.

In Oklahoma City, where James Beard-nominated chefs like Jeff Chanchaleune and Kevin Lee or restaurants like Nonesuch sometimes bring in other chefs for takeovers, it's a more common occurrence. But with a population of just over 20,000, Durant is not a large metropolis.

However, after several successful smaller restaurant takeover events with celebrity chefs including Rocco DiSpirito, Jet Tila and Alex Guarnaschelli at their sister property in Pocola, the Choctaw Nation's marketing team for the Durant location knew they could dream big.

"Tonight is months in the making," said Kaley Lehew, regional director of marketing at Choctaw Casino in Durant. "Chef Bobby Flay was an easy pick for our team. We've had a great time collaborating with his team and our culinary team bringing the experience to life tonight."

What was the night like for those in attendance?

The "foodie audience" came out in numbers to the sold out event with tickets sold across four pricing tiers for distinct opportunities in addition to the evening's meal, including access to special up-close-and-personal seating for Flay's demonstration, signed copies of his newest cookbook and even a meet-and-greet after dinner.

The menu for the event drew on Flay's love for southwestern flavors and ingredients, as well as spices from around the world and featured a shrimp tostada, corn soup, spice-crusted pork loin and pineapple upside down cake.

"I figured I was coming to the Southwest, I gotta cook my Southwestern ingredients," Flay told the crowd as he explained the menu. "I'm a New York City boy who loves Southwestern ingredients. Don't, don't ask me how that happened, but I got really lucky a long, long time ago and I fell in love with the ingredients and it was the thing that I decided to hone my skills in and so there is not a chili pepper in the world that I don't like."

For Christine and Paul Cramer, who drove to the event from Fort Smith, Arkansas, eating food prepared by Flay was a dream opportunity.

By the time the second course was completed, the duo was thrilled with what they'd experienced and were looking forward to the meet and greet with Flay.

"We've been to four of these (takeover events). I feel like each time the food has been better," Paul Cramer said. "As far as what I would expect from Bobby Flay, I got the flavors that I wanted."

Another Fort Smith resident, Shawn Van Matre, who owns a business called Shorty's Tamales, said he loved Flay's flavors and was excited by the perfect balance of spice in the dishes, but issued a challenge to the chef.

"I want Bobby Flay to come to Fort Smith and try my tamales," Van Matre said. "I bet he's never had one better."

For former Edmond residents Dana and Dawson Stafford, who now live in Denison, Texas, and own a restaurant, the night was a chance to do a bit of research for their own establishment to perhaps bring a bit of "that Bobby Flay flair," to their own menu.

As the main course was served, Flay returned to the stage to offer a demonstration on how to prepare New Mexican spice-crusted pork tenderloin and roasted sweet potatoes.

Spurred on by an audience member, Flay took a shot of bourbon, then turned to answering questions from the audience.

The crowd rose to Flay's earlier challenge and brought questions ranging from inquiries about show logistics to questions about how to make it in the industry as a chef and more. Some audience members earned playful barbs from Flay for their antics, while others asked more personal questions about Flay's daughter, his cats and even his workout habits. True to his word, Flay answered every question.

One of the final questions of the evening centered on lessons learned from his parents. Flay said his father, who passed recently, taught him to "always do the right thing" and that success would follow, sharing more about their relationship.

"You know how you have that person in your life that you check with when you already know the answer, but you want it confirmed? That was my dad," Flay said. "My dad was always my checks and balances so, now that he's gone, I'm going to make some mistakes."

Are more celebrity chefs coming to Oklahoma?

With the success of the Flay event, will there be more like it? Two guaranteed nexts are slated for takeovers at Pocola, and they should be familiar to anyone who watches Food Network.

First up, chef Tiffani Faison, winner of "Tournament of Champions III," takes over the Seven Ponies restaurant April 4-5. Then, two-time "Tournament of Champions" winner Maneet Chauhan comes to the Seven Ponies May 2-3.

Tickets for both events are available at https://www.choctawcasinos.com/events/.