Nātv’s Mother’s Day Brunch Supports the Next Chapter of Growth

(TVLSE, Okla.) On May 9 and 10, modern casual Native American restaurant Nātv will host a Mother’s Day brunch at Mother Road Market, bringing a limited pop-up experience to the community.

Chef Jacque Siegfried has spent much of her life doing what she loves: feeding people. Siegfried, who is of Shawnee and Cherokee descent, was raised in Tulsa and grew up eating hardy foods like stews, vegetables and meats. As a child, she watched as food brought people together, and that observation shaped her plans for the future.

"I’ve wanted to be a chef since I was four or five,” Siegfried said.

Siegfried completed her culinary arts training at Platt College, then spent 20 years working her way through top Tulsa-area kitchens, including Cedar Ridge Country Club, the Duck Club, the Savory Chef, the Mayo and the Tulsa Club Hotel. 

But after 20 years training and working in large kitchens, Siegfried felt something was missing.

"It really bothered me that we never went over Indigenous foods,” Siegfried said. “There’s so much here that wasn’t represented.”

That thought stayed with her, but she kept cooking. 

Then, COVID-19 changed everything.

Like most people working in the food industry, Siegfried faced the constant stress of long hours and short staffing. 

“I was burnt out,” Siegfried said. “I didn’t even know if I wanted to stay working with food anymore.” 

A simple question from her husband Ricky changed that. He asked what kind of food made her happiest to cook. 

Her answer was immediate.

“Native food.” 

“Then do it,” Ricky said.

With support from her family, Siegfried took a chance, stepping away from the typical restaurant path. Beginning with catering jobs, pop-ups and powwows, she built Nātv from the ground up. The success of these small ventures led to a demo kitchen and take-over cafe at Mother Road Market. These initiatives from Kitchen 66, sponsored by Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation, are designed to help aspiring local chefs gain practical experience, test recipes, and build brand awareness.

While building her repertoire of recipes, Seigfried centered Indigenous foodways.

"We wanted to showcase ingredients and dishes that Indigenous people have always had,” she said.

Those early moments built momentum and led to Nātv’s first storefront in Broken Arrow. Siegfried developed a full dining experience with an all-Indigenous menu.

As the restaurant grew in popularity, it became clear that the space was not designed for growth. With her lease coming due, Siegfried had to make a decision. 

"We’re not shutting down Nātv,” Siegfried said. “We’re just pivoting.” 

That pivot brought Nātv back to where it started, with pop-ups, catering and community events, but with a view for long-term planning.

Now, Siegfried is focused on finding a permanent space that can support Nātv’s growth, a place where the restaurant can settle in to serve the community for the long haul.

On Mother’s Day weekend, Nātv will host a brunch pop-up, featuring favorites with a twist: blue corn pancakes with wojapi, housemade venison sausage, smoked trout on corn mush cakes, and maple-roasted turkey roulade. 

Siegfried hopes attendees will enjoy the opportunity to share a meal while celebrating the people who matter most. 

“I want people to feel like their soul got fed,” Siegfried said. “I want them to feel loved. That’s what I want every person to feel when they come in.”

The restaurant may not have its permanent home just yet, but Nātv is still bringing the community together through food, one event at a time. 

Nātv’s Mother’s Day brunch will be held in the demo kitchen at Mother Road Market on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $59 for adults and $19 for children 12 and under. Reservations are required.

Nātv will also be open with a limited menu 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday (walk-ins available).