Cory Schreiber, Portland

There is a growing trend of chefs who are creating a menu stocked with food and drink from their own home state. Cory Schreiber is marketing the fact that the Wildwood Restaurant and Bar in Northwest Portland– which he operated for years– offers locally grown, farm-fresh products. He believes his patronage to Oregon agriculture not only brings in customers, but introduces them to the quality and importance of the industry. Cory understands the opportunity to bring urban and rural Oregon together through the experience of food.

Of course, Cory is very familiar with the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Growing up on the coast, he harvested oysters from Yaquina Bay for the family restaurant, Dan and Louis’ Oyster Bar in Portland. Cory always knew about the connection between where the food came from and where it ended up. After spending several years learning from and working with well-known chefs from throughout the country, Cory returned to Portland in 1994 and began “cooking from the source” as he calls it, and opened Wildwood, emphasizing sustainably grown produce from the Northwest prepared in beautiful and flavorful ways.

Cory won the James Beard Award in 1998 for Best Chef Pacific Northwest and has continued to make a name for himself on a local, regional, and national basis.

Cory’s vision is backed up by a commitment to the local producer. During the growing season, he was often seen walking up and down the aisles of vendors at the Portland Farmers’ Market, talking to them, buying fresh produce from them. He still thrives on having contact and a dialogue with local producers. Sometimes that has taken him to the farm for a first-hand look at the quality of what is being grown. Other times, the farm has come to him as local, often small niche producers would bring their harvest to the restaurant.

The pinnacle has always been reached when the cooking and preparing is completed. Anyone who has dined at Wildwood will tell you just how delicious the local flavors can be.

Late in 2007, the Oregon Department of Agriculture announced the hiring of Cory Schreiber to spearhead and manage the department's efforts to increase utilization of Oregon fresh and processed foods in the state's school feeding programs. In his new role, Schreiber works with farmers, food processors, distributors, and school district food service staff as well as existing farm-to-school groups and programs to help get more nutritious, locally-produced foods into Oregon schools.

Cory Schreiber clearly has a unique skill set and tremendous experience that will help Oregon establish itself as the leader in farm-to-school efforts. He has developed an impressive network of farmers, processors, markets, and other key partners that will result in putting more Oregon-grown food products into Oregon schools. He also has an enthusiasm to make a difference in the nutritional lives of children as well as helping our local growers be successful.

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These are authentic stories from real farmers.  Any editorial content does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Agri-Business Council of Oregon or our members.