Torey is now the Head Chef at “The Bend” located inside the Oxbow Country Club. To try his food visit Oxbow Country Club at Oxbow Golf & Country Club. 130 Oxbow Drive. Oxbow, ND.
How did you get started with cooking?
Ostlund: When I was 18, I worked at an Applebee’s and hated the food there. (Laughs) I figured, food’s got to be better than this. That’s how it started. I kind of fell into it, and found out I was good at it.
You’re the youngest executive chef in North Dakota. What was that like?
Ostlund: It’s different. There’s a lot more to being a chef than just cooking. You have the management side. You have to know your numbers and costs, and you have to stay ahead of trends. It’s a lot more than people realize.
Are the hours the worst part of the job?
Ostlund: It’s a lot of long hours. You miss soccer games and birthdays. I can go five days without seeing my kids. It’s tough.
Best story?
Ostlund: Just recently, we had a 300 plus wedding and my sous chef and I were working, and I got a call at 6 in the morning that one of my cooks was arrested. (Not related to him. It was an accidental arrest.) We ended up having to put together this 300 plus wedding, with just the two of us. It was an outdoor, tent wedding off the premises. It was one of the crazier times we’ve had.
Is the restaurant open year round?
Ostlund: We’re open year round. We’ve always been open to the public, but we’re making it more out there for people. We’re open Wed. – Sun. from 4 to 9 p.m.
What’s your favorite dish to cook?
Ostlund: I like to pick out a lot of different ingredients and whip something up. It’s the best part of cooking. There are always different ways to pair different things.
When you get home do you feel like cooking?
Ostlund: I actually don’t cook at home. My wife cooks for the kids. I usually get home past dinnertime.