Food and drink

Inspired by the bounty of the Northwest, our catering options reflect our commitment to sustainability.

Meet Chef Rob

If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the delicious smells drifting through the Oregon Zoo, look no further than executive chef Robert Kelley. Born and raised in California, Chef Rob cooked his way through Hollywood and the Bay Area before bringing his talents to Portland. He trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena and kicked off his career at Hollywood’s legendary Chateau Marmont.

After years as a private chef, and later, culinary director for a Silicon Valley robotics company, Chef Rob joined the Oregon Zoo as sous chef in fall 2023. His creativity and drive quickly made an impact, and he stepped into the executive chef role in the summer of 2024. That same year, he was nominated for Levy’s Chef of the Year award — a nod to “his passion, determination and focus on the highest quality food.”

Chef Rob’s favorite zoo residents are the giraffes, Desi and Buttercup, who he swears have excellent taste in leafy greens.

And his favorite food? Macaroni and cheese. Because even world-class chefs know that sometimes the best dish is the one that makes you feel like a kid again.

Come say hi, grab a bite, and taste what Chef Rob is cooking up around the zoo.