Quick Navigation - Topic Areas

1

Governance & Association Leadership

How restaurant associations are run
Board of Directors & Association Presidents
Speaker

Michelle Korsmo

President & CEO, National Restaurant Association

Leading voice for the restaurant industry representing over 500,000 restaurant businesses across America. Keynote on industry advocacy and workforce development.

Washington, D.C., USA Association Leadership
Policy Advocacy Workforce Industry Trends
Speaker

Kate Nicholls OBE

CEO, UKHospitality

Champion of the UK hospitality sector representing over 700 companies and 3 million employees. Expert on hospitality policy and business resilience.

London, United Kingdom Industry Advocacy
UK Hospitality Policy Recovery
Exhibitor

World Association of Chefs' Societies (Worldchefs)

Global Culinary Authority

International federation representing over 110 chef associations and 10 million culinary professionals worldwide. Certifications, education, and global standards.

Paris, France 110+ Countries
Certification Global Standards Education
Speaker

Willy Bauer

President, DEHOGA German Hotel & Restaurant Association

Leading the largest hospitality association in Europe with over 65,000 member businesses. Expert on European hospitality regulations and sustainability.

Berlin, Germany European Market
European Standards Sustainability Policy
Regional Chapter Leadership & Ethics Committees
Exhibitor

Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS)

Asia-Pacific Hospitality Hub

Premier restaurant association in Southeast Asia driving industry standards, training programs, and regional networking across ASEAN markets.

Singapore ASEAN Region
ASEAN Training Standards
Speaker

Andrew Tjioe

Chairman, Tung Lok Group & Restaurant Ethics Council

Pioneer in Asian fine dining with 40+ restaurants across Asia. Advocate for ethical practices and transparent supply chains in the restaurant industry.

Singapore Ethics & Compliance
Ethics Asian Dining Supply Chain
2

Restaurant Owners & Operators

Core member group
Independent Restaurant Owners
Speaker

Will Guidara

Founder, Thank You Hospitality & Former Co-Owner, Eleven Madison Park

Bestselling author of "Unreasonable Hospitality" and visionary behind the world's #1 restaurant. Expert on transforming service into unforgettable experiences.

New York, USA Fine Dining
Hospitality Leadership Service Excellence
Speaker

José Andrés

Founder, ThinkFoodGroup & World Central Kitchen

Award-winning chef and humanitarian with 30+ restaurants worldwide. Leader in disaster relief food programs and innovative dining concepts.

Washington, D.C., USA Humanitarian
Innovation Philanthropy Global Impact
Restaurant Groups & Chains
Exhibitor

Nobu Hospitality

Global Luxury Restaurant & Hotel Group

Iconic Japanese-Peruvian fusion brand with 50+ restaurants and hotels in 35 countries. Masters of luxury hospitality and celebrity partnerships.

Global 35 Countries
Luxury Dining Hotel Integration Fusion
Speaker

David Chang

Founder & CEO, Momofuku

Revolutionary chef and entrepreneur who transformed Asian-American cuisine. Media personality, podcast host, and author disrupting food culture.

New York, USA Restaurant Group
Asian-American Media Brand Building
Franchise Operators
Exhibitor

Fransmart

Premier Restaurant Franchise Development Company

The powerhouse behind Five Guys, Qdoba, and The Halal Guys franchising success. Experts in scaling restaurant concepts globally.

Virginia, USA Franchise Development
Franchising Scaling Investment
Speaker

Danny Meyer

Founder, Union Square Hospitality Group & Shake Shack

Pioneer of enlightened hospitality with 18+ restaurants and the global Shake Shack phenomenon. Author of "Setting the Table."

New York, USA Multi-Concept
Hospitality Culture Fast Casual Leadership
Boutique & Concept Restaurants
Exhibitor

The Clove Club

Award-Winning London Fine Dining

Michelin-starred modern British restaurant known for innovative tasting menus and intimate atmosphere. Pioneer of the new London dining scene.

London, UK 1 Michelin Star
Modern British Tasting Menu Innovation
Speaker

Gaggan Anand

Chef-Owner, Gaggan Anand Bangkok

Four-time Asia's Best Restaurant winner and progressive Indian cuisine pioneer. Known for emoji-only menus and theatrical dining experiences.

Bangkok, Thailand Progressive Indian
Avant-Garde Experience Design Asian Best
3

Chefs & Culinary Leadership

High-visibility and speaker-ready
Executive Chefs & Culinary Directors
Speaker

Massimo Bottura

Chef-Patron, Osteria Francescana

Three Michelin stars and twice crowned World's Best Restaurant. Founder of Food for Soul combating food waste globally through community kitchens.

Modena, Italy 3 Michelin Stars
Italian Cuisine Anti-Waste World's Best
Speaker

Dominique Crenn

Chef-Owner, Atelier Crenn

First female chef in America to receive three Michelin stars. Pioneer of poetic culinaria and sustainable seafood practices in fine dining.

San Francisco, USA 3 Michelin Stars
Poetic Cuisine Sustainability Women in Culinary
Speaker

Heston Blumenthal

Chef-Proprietor, The Fat Duck

Pioneering molecular gastronomy and multi-sensory dining. Three Michelin stars and revolutionary approach to food science and experience design.

Bray, United Kingdom 3 Michelin Stars
Molecular Food Science Multi-Sensory
Michelin-Star & Award-Winning Chefs
Speaker

Ana Roš

Chef, Hiša Franko

World's Best Female Chef 2017 and Slovenia's culinary ambassador. Pioneer of hyperlocal, foraged ingredients and regional Slovenian cuisine.

Kobarid, Slovenia 2 Michelin Stars
Hyperlocal Foraging Slovenian
Speaker

Mauro Colagreco

Chef, Mirazur

World's Best Restaurant 2019. Argentine-born chef creating lunar-influenced menus with vegetables from his own gardens overlooking the French Riviera.

Menton, France 3 Michelin Stars
Garden-to-Table French Riviera Biodynamic
Speaker

Virgilio Martínez

Chef-Owner, Central

World's Best Restaurant 2023. Peruvian cuisine explorer presenting ecosystems and altitudes through tasting menus celebrating biodiversity.

Lima, Peru World's Best 2023
Peruvian Biodiversity Altitude Cuisine
Speaker

Clare Smyth

Chef-Owner, Core by Clare Smyth

World's Best Female Chef 2018 with three Michelin stars. Former chef at Gordon Ramsay Restaurant, now redefining modern British fine dining.

London, UK 3 Michelin Stars
British Fine Dining Women Leaders Excellence
4

Cuisine & Culinary Disciplines

How associations segment expertise
National & Regional Cuisines
Exhibitor

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) - Food Division

Japanese Culinary Promotion

Official organization promoting Japanese food culture, ingredients, and culinary traditions worldwide. Connecting international buyers with Japanese producers.

Tokyo, Japan Government Body
Japanese Cuisine Export Washoku
Speaker

Enrique Olvera

Chef-Owner, Pujol & Cosme

Leader of modern Mexican cuisine movement with restaurants in Mexico City and New York. Elevating traditional Mexican ingredients to fine dining excellence.

Mexico City, Mexico World's 50 Best
Mexican Traditional Techniques Corn & Mole
Fine Dining & Casual Dining
Exhibitor

The World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy

Global Fine Dining Authority

The prestigious organization behind the annual World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Setting standards for culinary excellence and innovation globally.

London, UK Global Authority
Rankings Excellence Global Standards
Speaker

René Redzepi

Co-Founder & Former Chef, Noma

Revolutionary chef who redefined Nordic cuisine and the New Nordic movement. Five-time World's Best Restaurant, now focused on fermentation and food future.

Copenhagen, Denmark Nordic Pioneer
Nordic Fermentation Foraging
Street Food & Fusion Concepts
Speaker

Jay Fai

Chef-Owner, Raan Jay Fai (Michelin Star Street Food)

The legendary Bangkok street food chef and only Michelin-starred street food vendor. Famous for crab omelettes cooked over charcoal with signature goggles.

Bangkok, Thailand 1 Michelin Star
Street Food Thai Tradition
Exhibitor

Singapore Food Festival

Hawker Culture & Fusion Innovation

Annual celebration of Singapore's UNESCO-recognized hawker culture. Showcasing traditional dishes and modern fusion interpretations from top vendors.

Singapore UNESCO Heritage
Hawker Culture Festival Southeast Asian
5

Food Quality, Safety & Standards

Mandatory association pillar
Food Safety & Certification Bodies
Exhibitor

SGS Food Safety Services

Global Food Testing & Certification

World's leading inspection and certification company for food safety. HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, and BRC certifications for restaurants and food businesses.

Geneva, Switzerland Global Network
HACCP Certification ISO 22000
Exhibitor

NSF International

Public Health & Safety Standards

Independent organization developing standards and certifications for food safety, water quality, and consumer products. Trusted by global restaurant chains.

Michigan, USA 180+ Countries
Standards Testing Compliance
Speaker

Dr. Frank Yiannas

Former FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy

Former VP of Food Safety at Walmart and FDA leader. Expert on blockchain traceability and digital transformation of food safety systems.

Washington, D.C., USA Policy Expert
Traceability Blockchain Digital Safety
Sustainable Sourcing & Quality Standards
Exhibitor

Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

Sustainable Seafood Certification

Global nonprofit setting the standard for sustainable fishing. Helping restaurants source certified sustainable seafood and communicate ocean stewardship.

London, UK Sustainability
Seafood Ocean Health Certification
Exhibitor

Rainforest Alliance

Sustainable Agriculture Certification

International nonprofit certifying sustainable coffee, cocoa, tea, and produce. Connecting restaurants with ethically sourced ingredients worldwide.

New York, USA 70+ Countries
Coffee Cocoa Ethical Sourcing
6

Training, Education & Talent Development

Strong alumni & mentorship overlap
Culinary Schools & Academies
Exhibitor

Le Cordon Bleu

World's Premier Culinary Arts Network

Founded in Paris 1895, now operating 35 institutes across 20 countries. Training 20,000+ students annually in culinary arts, hospitality, and gastronomy.

Paris, France 35 Institutes
Culinary Arts Diploma French Technique
Exhibitor

Culinary Institute of America (CIA)

America's Premier Culinary College

World-renowned culinary college with campuses in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore. Producing industry leaders for over 75 years.

Hyde Park, New York, USA 4 Campuses
Degree Programs Professional Research
Exhibitor

Institut Paul Bocuse

French Culinary & Hospitality Excellence

Elite French institution founded by legendary chef Paul Bocuse. Bachelor's and Master's programs in culinary arts, hospitality management, and gastronomy.

Lyon, France MOF Alumni
French Excellence Hospitality Gastronomy
Apprenticeship Programs & Chef Mentorship
Speaker

Thomas Keller

Chef-Proprietor, The French Laundry & Per Se

America's most decorated chef with seven Michelin stars. Renowned mentor producing the next generation of culinary leaders through rigorous training.

Napa Valley, USA 7 Michelin Stars
Mentorship Excellence Standards
Exhibitor

ment'or BKB Foundation

Culinary Excellence & Competition Training

Non-profit supporting young culinary talent through competition training, mentorship, and grants. Preparing Team USA for Bocuse d'Or and global competitions.

New York, USA Bocuse d'Or
Competition Grants Development
7

Hospitality & Guest Experience

Service excellence
Front-of-House Management & Service Design
Speaker

Erin Moran

Former COO, Union Square Hospitality Group

Pioneer of hospitality culture and team development. Expert on creating service systems that balance operational excellence with genuine guest care.

New York, USA Service Culture
Culture Operations Team Building
Exhibitor

The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center

Legendary Service Training

The gold standard in hospitality training, sharing The Ritz-Carlton's renowned service philosophy with restaurants and hotels worldwide.

Atlanta, USA Global Training
Luxury Service Training Standards
Guest Journey & Luxury Hospitality Standards
Exhibitor

SevenRooms

Guest Experience & CRM Platform

Leading restaurant CRM and guest management platform used by top hospitality brands. Creating personalized dining experiences through data intelligence.

New York, USA Tech Platform
CRM Personalization Data
Speaker

Georgie Hodgson

General Manager, Claridge's Restaurant

Leading front-of-house operations at one of London's most iconic luxury hotels. Expert on blending tradition with contemporary guest expectations.

London, UK Luxury Hotels
Luxury Tradition Guest Relations
8

Restaurant Business & Operations

Key for professional audiences
Cost Control, Pricing & Supply Chain
Exhibitor

MarketMan

Restaurant Inventory Management

Cloud-based inventory and purchasing platform helping restaurants reduce food costs by up to 5%. Used by thousands of restaurants globally.

New York, USA SaaS Platform
Inventory Cost Control Cloud
Exhibitor

Sysco Corporation

Global Foodservice Distribution Leader

World's largest foodservice distributor supplying 600,000+ customer locations. End-to-end supply chain solutions from farm to restaurant.

Houston, USA $68B Revenue
Distribution Procurement Supply Chain
HR, Staffing & Digital POS Technology
Exhibitor

Toast, Inc.

All-in-One Restaurant POS Platform

Leading restaurant technology company powering 100,000+ restaurants. Integrated POS, payments, operations, and marketing platform.

Boston, USA NASDAQ: TOST
POS Payments Operations
Exhibitor

7shifts

Restaurant Team Management Platform

Simplifying restaurant labor management with scheduling, communication, and compliance tools. Used by 40,000+ restaurants across North America.

Saskatchewan, Canada 40,000+ Restaurants
Scheduling Labor Team Management
Speaker

Anjan Mitra

Co-Founder, Dosa & Former Tech Executive

Silicon Valley veteran turned restaurateur operating award-winning Dosa restaurants. Expert on bringing tech efficiency to restaurant operations.

San Francisco, USA Tech + Hospitality
Operations Tech Integration Scaling
9

Innovation, Trends & Future Dining

Modern growth area
Food Tech & Automation
Exhibitor

Miso Robotics

AI-Powered Kitchen Automation

Creator of Flippy, the world's first autonomous robotic kitchen assistant. Revolutionizing back-of-house operations with AI and robotics.

California, USA Robotics
Automation AI Robotics
Exhibitor

Kitchen United

Ghost Kitchen & Cloud Cooking Pioneer

Leading ghost kitchen infrastructure provider enabling restaurants to expand through delivery-only locations without traditional real estate costs.

California, USA Ghost Kitchen
Ghost Kitchen Delivery Expansion
Sustainable & Plant-Based Concepts
Exhibitor

Impossible Foods

Plant-Based Meat Revolution

Pioneer of plant-based meat alternatives available in 40,000+ restaurants worldwide. Making the global food system sustainable without sacrificing taste.

California, USA 40,000+ Restaurants
Plant-Based Sustainability Innovation
Speaker

Alexis Gauthier

Chef-Owner, Gauthier Soho (Vegan Fine Dining)

Former Michelin-starred chef who transitioned his acclaimed London restaurant to fully vegan. Pioneer proving plant-based can be luxury fine dining.

London, UK Vegan Fine Dining
Vegan Fine Dining Transition
AI, Smart Kitchens & Future Dining
Exhibitor

Picnic Works

AI-Powered Food Assembly Systems

Intelligent food assembly systems automating pizza production and other high-volume items. Bringing consistency and efficiency to fast-casual operations.

Seattle, USA Assembly Automation
AI Assembly Pizza Efficiency
Speaker

Dr. Amanda Little

Author, "The Fate of Food" & Food Futurist

Leading researcher on the future of food systems. Expert on how technology, climate, and innovation will reshape dining in the coming decades.

Nashville, USA Futurist
Future Food Climate Innovation
10

Marketing, Branding & Media

Visibility & growth
Restaurant Branding & Social Media Strategy
Exhibitor

BentoBox

Restaurant Website & Marketing Platform

All-in-one website, marketing, and commerce platform for 16,000+ restaurants. Helping independent restaurants compete with chains online.

New York, USA 16,000+ Restaurants
Websites Marketing Commerce
Speaker

Andrew Zimmern

TV Host, Chef & Food Media Personality

Emmy-winning host of Bizarre Foods and advocate for diverse culinary cultures. Expert on food storytelling and building media presence for restaurants.

Minnesota, USA TV & Media
Media Storytelling Culture
PR, Food Media & Awards
Exhibitor

Michelin Guide

World's Most Prestigious Restaurant Rating

The definitive guide to fine dining since 1900. Stars that define careers and drive international gastrotourism to cities worldwide.

Paris, France Global Authority
Stars Excellence Authority
Exhibitor

James Beard Foundation

America's Culinary Awards Authority

The Oscars of the food world, celebrating excellence in American cuisine. Awards, scholarships, and advocacy for a sustainable food future.

New York, USA Awards & Advocacy
Awards American Cuisine Scholarships
11

Suppliers, Producers & Partnerships

Ecosystem integration
Local & Global Food Producers
Exhibitor

D'Artagnan

Artisanal Meats & Specialty Foods

Pioneer in sustainable, humanely-raised meats since 1985. Supplying top restaurants with foie gras, game, organic poultry, and charcuterie.

New Jersey, USA Artisanal
Specialty Meats Sustainable Premium
Exhibitor

Natoora

Radical Seasonal Produce

Farm-direct produce supplier connecting Michelin-starred restaurants with regenerative farms. Champions of flavor-first, sustainable agriculture.

London, UK Farm-to-Table
Seasonal Regenerative Direct Trade
Equipment & Kitchen Technology
Exhibitor

Rational AG

Intelligent Cooking Systems

World leader in combi-steamer technology used by professional kitchens globally. iCombi Pro and iVario systems transforming commercial cooking.

Bavaria, Germany Global Leader
Equipment Combi-Steamer Innovation
Exhibitor

Electrolux Professional

Complete Foodservice Solutions

Global provider of professional kitchen equipment for restaurants, hotels, and institutions. From cooking to dishwashing and laundry solutions.

Stockholm, Sweden Full Kitchen
Cooking Dishwashing Professional
Logistics & Cold Chain
Exhibitor

Lineage Logistics

Temperature-Controlled Logistics Leader

World's largest cold storage and logistics company. Advanced automation and AI optimizing the cold chain for restaurants and food distributors.

Michigan, USA 450+ Facilities
Cold Chain Logistics Automation
12

Wine, Beverages & Sommelier Circles

Often its own association track
Sommeliers & Wine Education
Exhibitor

Court of Master Sommeliers

Premier Sommelier Certification

The world's most prestigious sommelier certification program. Four-level diploma system producing the finest wine service professionals globally.

London, UK Global Certification
Certification Master Sommelier Excellence
Speaker

Pascaline Lepeltier

Master Sommelier & Advocate for Natural Wine

One of only 30 female Master Sommeliers in the world. Champion of biodynamic and natural wines, consulting for top New York restaurants.

New York, USA Master Sommelier
Natural Wine Biodynamic Women in Wine
Wine & Spirits Partnerships
Exhibitor

Moët Hennessy

Luxury Wines & Spirits Portfolio

LVMH's wine and spirits division featuring Dom Pérignon, Krug, Veuve Clicquot, Hennessy, and 20+ prestigious houses. Premium partnerships for fine dining.

Paris, France LVMH
Champagne Cognac Luxury
Exhibitor

Diageo Bar Academy

World-Class Bartending Education

Training platform from the world's largest spirits company. Cocktail education, sustainability programs, and professional development for bartenders.

London, UK Training
Cocktails Training Bartending
Craft & Premium Beverages
Exhibitor

Fever-Tree

Premium Mixers & Tonics

Revolutionary premium mixer brand transforming the cocktail experience. Natural ingredients and sophisticated flavors for discerning bartenders.

London, UK Premium Mixers
Mixers Craft Natural
13

Sustainability, Ethics & Responsibility

Increasingly critical
Sustainable Kitchens & Waste Reduction
Exhibitor

Winnow Solutions

AI Food Waste Management

AI-powered technology helping commercial kitchens cut food waste in half. Used by IKEA, AccorHotels, and leading restaurant groups worldwide.

London, UK AI Technology
Food Waste AI Measurement
Speaker

Dan Barber

Chef-Owner, Blue Hill at Stone Barns

Pioneer of farm-to-table dining and author of "The Third Plate." Advocate for regenerative agriculture and waste-free cooking principles.

New York, USA 2 Michelin Stars
Farm-to-Table Regenerative Waste-Free
Ethical Labor & Community Engagement
Exhibitor

One Fair Wage

Restaurant Worker Advocacy

National nonprofit fighting for fair wages and working conditions for restaurant workers. Leading the movement to end subminimum wage.

New York, USA Advocacy
Fair Wages Workers Rights Advocacy
Speaker

Asma Khan

Chef-Owner, Darjeeling Express

First British chef featured on Netflix's Chef's Table. All-women kitchen celebrating second-chance employment and community empowerment.

London, UK Women Empowerment
Women-Led Community Indian Cuisine
14

Events, Competitions & Awards

Association visibility
Culinary Competitions & Food Festivals
Exhibitor

Bocuse d'Or

World Culinary Olympics

The most prestigious culinary competition in the world, held biennially in Lyon. National teams compete for gold in this ultimate test of culinary skill.

Lyon, France Since 1987
Competition Excellence National Teams
Exhibitor

S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy

Next Generation Chef Competition

Global competition discovering and nurturing the next generation of culinary talent. Mentorship from world-renowned chefs and international exposure.

Milan, Italy Global Competition
Young Chefs Mentorship Development
Restaurant Awards & Industry Congresses
Exhibitor

Madrid Fusión

International Gastronomy Congress

World's most important gastronomy summit bringing together 2,000+ chefs, sommeliers, and food professionals for innovation showcases and networking.

Madrid, Spain Annual Congress
Congress Innovation Networking
Exhibitor

Asia's 50 Best Restaurants

Asia-Pacific Culinary Authority

The definitive ranking of Asia's finest restaurants. Annual awards ceremony celebrating culinary excellence across the Asia-Pacific region.

Singapore Annual Awards
Rankings Asia-Pacific Awards
15

Alumni, Masters & Legacy Circles

Prestige tier
Retired Master Chefs & Lifetime Achievement
Speaker

Alain Ducasse

Living Legend of French Cuisine

First chef to earn 21 Michelin stars across three restaurants. Educator, mentor, and ambassador of French culinary traditions worldwide.

Monaco 21 Michelin Stars
Legend French Education
Speaker

Alice Waters

Founder, Chez Panisse & Edible Schoolyard Project

Pioneer of California cuisine and farm-to-table movement since 1971. James Beard Lifetime Achievement and advocate for school food reform.

Berkeley, California, USA Lifetime Achievement
Pioneer California Cuisine Education
Hall of Fame & Ambassador Circles
Exhibitor

Relais & Châteaux

World's Finest Hotel-Restaurants Association

Exclusive collection of 580 independently owned luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants across 60 countries. The ultimate standard in hospitality excellence.

Paris, France 580 Properties
Luxury Heritage Excellence
Exhibitor

Les Grandes Tables du Monde

World's Finest Restaurants Association

Exclusive association of 190 of the world's most prestigious restaurants. Membership by invitation only, representing the pinnacle of gastronomy.

Paris, France 190 Members
Prestige Invitation Only Global Elite
Speaker

Ferran Adrià

Father of Molecular Gastronomy, elBulli Foundation

Revolutionary chef who changed modern cuisine forever with elBulli. Now leading culinary innovation research and education through the elBulli Foundation.

Barcelona, Spain elBulli Legacy
Molecular Innovation Research