The 2020 Philly Chef Conference: Sustainability, Restaurant Leadership and the Golden Age of Pasta
Check out the full schedule of events for the event's 7th year.
2019’s conference | Photo courtesy of Philly Chef Conference
When Philly Chef Conference released its list of participants for the 2020 event, we knew it was going to be an excellent lineup. Now, the full schedule has been released and we’re more excited than ever.
The conference will kick off on Sunday, March 1st with two excellent talks. The first, a conversation about food memoirs moderated by Jeff Gordinier (Food & Drinks editor at Esquire). He’ll chat with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Phyllis Grant and Kwame Onwuachi, who was named a James Beard Rising Star Chef in 2019. His book, Notes From a Young Black Chef, was also released in 2019, is on its way to becoming a movie starring Lakeith Stanfield.
Sunday’s second talk will feature Will Guidara, one of the biggest names in American fine dining. Until last year, Guidara was front of house leader of Make It Nice Hospitality, the company behind restaurants like the Michelin-starred icon Eleven Madison Park, which lived at the top of the World’s 50 Best List for years. Guidara and his partner, Daniel Humm, recently announced that they’re splitting up, so Guidara’s talk should be interesting.
Monday’s events begin at 9 a.m. and culminate with a 5:30 p.m. reception. Highlights include a roundtable led by the New York Times’ Kim Severson, a conversation called The Golden Age of Pasta with Bon Appetit’s Adam Rapoport, and a presentation from Philly’s own Greg Vernick entitled A Guide to a Sustainable Fish Restaurant. For a full schedule of events, scroll down.
Breakfast, lunch and desserts will be served by some Philly’s best and brightest chefs, including some of our 50 Best Restaurants like South Philly Barbacoa, Palizzi Social Club, Musi, Fiore Fine Foods. Tickets ($50 for Sunday and $195 for Monday) are on sale now.
Sunday March 1: Opening Session and Reception
3:30PM, The Study at University City, $50
When the Recipe is You: A Candid Talk about the Golden Age of Food Memoirs
Moderator-Jeff Gordinier
Panelists: Phyllis Grant, Kwame Onwuachi, and Jean-George Vongerichten
The Recipe for Human Connection
A Conversation between Howie Kahn and Will Guidara
Philly Chef Conference: Day 2
Registration at 8AM, Opening Remarks at 9, $195
Breakfast
La Colombe, Baba’s Brew, 33rd Street Hospitality, Lost Bread Co., Rival Bros., Essen Bakery, Pilgrim Provisions, and Federal Donuts
9AM Opening Remarks: Michael Traud, JD, Ed.D.
9:15-10AM Session
Bistro:
Restaurant Round Up
Moderator: Korsha Wilson
Panelists: Hilary Dixler Canavan, Brett Martin, Khushbu Shah, and Kate Krader
Demonstration Kitchen:
Mastering Pastries
Presenters: Antonio Bachour
Lounge:
Travel as Inspiration
A Conversation between Jason Tesauro and Bo Bech
10:15-11AM Session
Bistro:
Four Editors On Telling Important Food Stories on Shoestring Budgets
Moderator: Nikita Richardson
Panelists: Stephen Satterfield, Madison Trapkin, Lukas Volger, Klancy Miller
Demonstration Kitchen:
Pairing Tea with Bread and Pastries
Presenters: Richard Hart and Henrietta Lowell
Lounge:
Food and Beverage: The Foundation of Modern Real Estate
Moderator: Kevin Sintumuang
Presenters: Trip Schneck, Ed Eimer, Phil Colicchio, and Ahktar Nawab
11:15-12PM Session
Bistro:
Diversity in the Kitchen: the Road Ahead
Moderator: Priya Krishna
Panelists: Claudette Zepeda, Erick Williams, Eric Adjepong, Enrique Limardo
Demonstration Kitchen:
Dueling Pastas
Presenters: David Marcelli/Stefano Secchi
Lounge:
We’re Here to Help: How to Make the Most of your PR & Marketing Partnership
Moderator: Lauren Fonda
Presenters: Liz Dunn, Anna Polonsky, Blake McKay, Claudette Zepeda
Lunch (12-1)
South Philly Barbacoa, Mike’s BBQ, Poi Dog, Le Virtu, Jezabel’s Café, Puyero Venezuela Flavor, Porcos Porchetteria, Palizzi Social Club, Musi
1:15-2:00PM Session
Bistro:
The Golden Age of Pasta
Moderator: Adam Rapoport
Panelists: Amy Brandwein, David Nayfeld, David Marcelli, Stefano Secchi
Bar:
Finding “Faults” in Wine
Presenter: Wine: Rosemary Liss
Demonstration Kitchen:
A Guide to a Sustainable Fish Restaurant
Presenters: Greg Vernick
Lounge:
Chefs as Agents of Change
Moderator: Kat Kinsman
Presenters: Kwame Onwuachi, Karen Akunowicz and Kelly Fields
2:15-3:00PM Session
Bistro:
Restaurant Leadership Techniques for the Next Generation
Moderator: Vaughn Tan
Panelists: Katie Button, Brady Williams, Kevin Boehm and Annika de Las Heras
Bar:
“I Work for You”: A Cocktail Philosophy
Presenter: Chelsea Gregoire
Demonstration Kitchen:
An Inside Glimpse at Manresa Bread
Presenters: Avery Ruzika
Lounge:
Zero Foodprint: Connecting Chefs and Diners So We Can Eat our Way Out of the Climate Crisis
A Conversation between Jeff Gordinier and Anthony Myint
Dessert Break (3:00-3:45PM)
La Colombe, Weckerly’s, Aurora Grace Chocolates, Eclat Chocolates, El Merkury, Fiore Fine Foods, Flow State Coffee Bar
3:45-4:30PM Session
Bistro:
The Food Reporters: Hot Topic Roundtable of Current Events
Moderator: Kim Severson
Panelists: Tim Carman, Amanda Kludt, Julia Moskin, Francis Lam
Bar:
Mezcal for Dummies
Presenter: Niki Nakazawa
Demonstration Kitchen:
Rice is Culture
Presenters: JJ Johnson
Lounge:
Where Science Meets Creativity
A Conversation between Dana Cowin and Arielle Johnson
4:45-5:30PM Session
Bistro:
Inside the Minds of the Top Pastry Chefs
Moderator: Klancy Miller
Panelists: Lincoln Carson, Thomas Raquel, Kelly Fields, Antonio Bachour
Bar:
Cider: Just as Complex as Wine
Presenter: Sam Fitz
Demonstration Kitchen:
Pastry Techniques from a Three Michelin Star Kitchen
Presenters: Thomas Raquel
Lounge:
Defining “Women’s Work” in 2020
Moderator: Charlotte Druckman
Presenters: Diep Tran, additional speakers to be added
5:30 Reception
