We present a technique for fabricating laterally patterned [111] and [100]-oriented regions of CdTe on GaAs by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Patterning of the crystal orientation is important for quasi-phase-matched nonlinear optical frequency conversion in semiconductor waveguides. Scanning electron micrographs and x-ray diffraction analysis are used to confirm the presence of [111]/[100] grating structures. The CdTe layer is shown to be a suitable template to pattern the orientation of subsequently grown wide-band-gap films of ZnSe and ZnTe.