For Chef Deb VanTreace, the kitchen is more than just a place to prepare food, it’s a space filled with memories, love, and a deep sense of homage. As the owner of several successful restaurants, including Oreatha’s at the Point, Chef Deb’s culinary journey is a testament to her passion and dedication to her craft.
Oreatha’s at the Point isn’t just another restaurant in the heart of Atlanta; it’s a tribute to Chef Deb’s mother, Oreatha, who passed away but left an indelible mark on her life. “Oreatha is my mom’s name,” she explains. “I wanted to do something to pay homage to her and to all mothers. As chefs, people often ask us who inspired us, and for me, my mother was my first chef. She provided food and nourishment when we were growing up. If it wasn’t for her and the female figures in my family, spending time with them in the kitchen, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Her culinary style is a beautiful blend of her family’s traditions and her own unique twist. “The cuisine at Oreatha’s is based on the recipes passed down from my family, but with my southern twist on them. We run dishes like Indian with a southern twist,” Chef Deb shares, highlighting her creativity and respect for her roots.
Running multiple restaurants is no small feat, and Chef Deb is the first to acknowledge the challenges that come with it. “There’s always something happening—a walk-in freezer breaks down, or someone doesn’t show up for work. There are always moving pieces with everything I’m doing,” she admits. Despite these obstacles, she remains optimistic and grounded. “The reward is in being able to use the gift God gave me, creating good food, and touching many people with my food. It’s fulfilling for me to know that I am contributing to the marketplace and the livelihood of my staff, just making sure they’re okay and being a sounding board.”
Her role extends beyond her restaurants as she also partners with the Centurion Lounge at the airport, a venture that presents a different kind of challenge. “The lounge has so many moving pieces, and it’s definitely different because I don’t have 100% control over it, which I’m thankful for sometimes,” she says with a laugh. “We serve up to 3,000 people daily, providing recipes that can keep up with that workload. Every day it’s like a world stage and having the opportunity to teach so many people from different places is a dream come true.”
Looking ahead, Chef Deb is excited about the future and the evolving dining landscape. “We have to keep creating, but I think we’re getting into an era where people are looking for comfort and confidence. We try to balance creativity with comfort, and you’ll see a lot more experimentation with cuts of meat, balancing inflation in difficult times,” she reflects. “After COVID, we all learned some lessons, and we have to be willing to constantly adapt to what’s going on in the world.”
Chef Deb’s journey is not just about food; it’s about resilience, creativity, and community. With a new cooking show premiering soon, she’s excited to share her philosophies on food with a national audience. “I am always looking for ways to brand and market myself. In a few days, I will be on national TV, sharing some of my tricks and philosophies on food, and I am so looking forward to this!”
Follow Chef Deb VanTreace on social media @chefdebvantreace to keep up with her latest culinary adventures and to learn more about her restaurants. Her story is a powerful reminder that with passion, dedication, and a little creativity, anything is possible.
“I am always looking for ways to brand and market myself. In a few days, I will be on national TV, sharing some of my tricks and philosophies on food, and I am so looking forward to this!”