41.5 F
Indianapolis
Friday, March 29, 2024

Longtime chef at Beef & Boards retires

More by this author

Odell Ward didn’t know anything about Beef & Boards when he was looking for a job 38 years ago. He was coming out of the Air Force and landed a couple of temp jobs he didn’t enjoy before finding the dinner theater company on the northwest side of Indianapolis.

Nearly four decades later, Ward retired as executive chef.

“It was one of the best and most rewarding things that has happened to me,” he said. “The theater always felt like family to me, and it always will.”

Ward spent more than 30 years of his time at the company as executive chef, which left him responsible for cooking for hundreds of guests at each show. His red cabbage and stroganoff were among his favorite dishes and seemed to be popular with audiences.

Doug Stark, who’s owned Beef & Boards since 1980, said Ward was always ready with a big smile and a big hug.

“He cared for the theater and its customers,” Stark said. “He’s a problem-solver and a friend.”

Ward said he stayed for so long because he fell in love with the operation and enjoyed the people.

Now that he’s retired, Ward said he’s looking forward to spending more time fishing, one of his favorite things to do.

“And just enjoy the little things at a nice and relaxed pace,” he said.

Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.

- Advertisement -
ads:

Upcoming Online Townhalls

- Advertisement -

Subscribe to our newsletter

To be updated with all the latest local news.

Stay connected

1FansLike
1FollowersFollow
1FollowersFollow
1SubscribersSubscribe

Related articles

Popular articles

Español + Translate »
Skip to content