Boost and Launch Your Culinary Business
january 26-29, 2025 | Houston TX
4-day conference
Elevate your culinary business
Dive into interactive workshops, panel discussions, and inspiring keynote presentations from renowned experts to help your culinary business succeed.
choose your journey
Ready to Accelerate Your Business?
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, our dynamic workshops are your lift-off to success!
2 DAYS | JANUARY 27-28, 2025
The ultimate 2-Day business development track.
Strap in for high-energy training with industry experts and watch your established culinary business soar to new heights. Ideal for small culinary business owners and professionals eager to elevate their game!
- Inspiring Keynote Speaker
- Game-Changing Business Growth Panels
- Interactive Master Classes
- Tailored Business Coaching
- Valuable Networking Opportunities
- Happy Hour Sessions
- Complimentary Breakfast & Lunch
2 DAYS | JANUARY 28-29, 2025
The Ultimate 2-Day training experience for aspiring culinary business owners and professionals.
Ready to take your business dream to the next level? We'll guide you step-by-step to successfully launch your restaurant or culinary venture.
- Specific Culinary Business Workshops
- Foundational Master Classes
- Customized Business Coaching
- Valuable Networking Opportunities
- Happy Hour Sessions
- Complimentary Breakfast & Lunch
THE LOCATION
Rice University Anderson-Clarke Center
Where lifelong learning converges with cutting-edge technology.
Situated on the stunning Rice University campus, often referred to as the 'Harvard of the South', this dynamic venue features state-of-the-art audiovisual facilities and a reputation for transformative education. Don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your culinary business in this vibrant, inspiring setting.
6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005
713.348.4803
PURCHASE TICKETS
Secure Your Seat for Liftoff
Ticket prices will increase on the day of the event. Feed the Soul Foundation will not be issuing invitation letters to support visa applications to attend our 2025 Global Conference. We recommend that individuals outside the United States wishing to attend the conference utilize their passports for identification.
Boost Camp Ticket Bundle
JANUARY 27 - 28, 2025- BOOST Camp is for existing culinary business owners seeking to grow their businesses to the next level.
- 2-Day Boost Camp Pass
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch
- Includes Heart & Soul Dinner Ticket
- Happy Hour Sessions
Launchpad Ticket BUNDLE
JANUARY 28 - 29, 2025- Launchpad is for those seeking to learn how to start a culinary business.
- 2-Day Launchpad Pass
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch
- Includes Heart & Soul Dinner Ticket
- Happy Hour Sessions
HEART & SOUL DINNER Ticket
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2025- The Heart and Soul Dinner is the kick-off to the Global Culinary Conference hosted at the Historic El Dorado Ballroom located in Third Ward Houston. This inaugural scholarship dinner supports minority students, enabling them to follow their culinary dreams without financial obstacles.
BOOST Camp TICKETs
JANUARY 27 - 28, 2025- BOOST Camp is for existing culinary business owners seeking to grow their businesses to the next level.
- 2-Day Boost Camp Pass
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch
- Happy Hour Sessions
LAUNCH PAD TICKETs
JANUARY 28 - 29, 2025- Launchpad is for those seeking to learn how to start a culinary business.
- 2-Day Launch Pad Pass
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch
- Happy Hour Sessions
SINGLE DAY TICKETS
select which day you will attend- Single Day Pass of your choice of Business Development Sessions
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch
- Single Happy Hour Ticket
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Explore new frontiers in food as world-renowned chefs and culinary leaders take you on a journey through the future of cuisine, where culture and sustainability are the stars of the show.
Chef JJ Johnson
A James Beard Award-winning chef, TV personality, restauranteur and cultural tastemaker.
Chef James Tahhan
3x Emmy Award Winning Chef, Restaurateur, and Best Selling Author
Gocha Hawkins-Haynes
A visionary celebrity chef, owns the renowned Gocha’s Breakfast Bars and Gocha’s Tapas Bar.
WHO SHOULD attend?
Restaurant Owners
Food Truck Owners
Bakery Owners
Caterers
Private/Personal Chefs
Hospitality Management College Students
Future Culinary Business Owners
Industry Experts
Why You Should Attend?
Elevated Networking
Connect with industry experts, influential chefs, and top restaurateurs. Unlock collaboration and growth opportunities while learning from the best.
Empowering Experiences
Participate in insightful mastermind sessions, unique workshops, and an interactive trade show designed to spark creativity and expand your professional culinary network.
Personalized Support
Prepare your business for success with the extensive knowledge shared over the 4-day event. Take home a comprehensive workbook to guide you throughout the year.
Community Building
Network with small business owners nationwide, creating a lasting ecosystem of support and collaboration that continues beyond the convention.
What Can You Expect?
Get hands-on training to teach you how to grow or launch your culinary business operations to gain more profit.
Renowned experts share valuable insights on securing funding, managing personnel, devising effective marketing strategies, and ensuring successful business operations. This conference is an educational experience filled with a diverse range of business development topics tailored to cater to the needs of culinary entrepreneurs.
2025 Global Culinary Conference
Event Date: JANUARY 26-29, 2025
Location: RICE UNIVERSITY Anderson-Clarke Center
6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005
– Dynamic keynote speakers to offer insight & inspiration
– Panels to discuss growth for culinary businesses
– Master Classes to develop sustainability in culinary business operations
– Interactive Breakout Sessions
– Happy Hour Networking Events
– Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch for attendees
a food & beverage experience
explore global culinary flavors
Discover international delights, tailored for small business owners, culinary professionals, and passionate consumers.
4 days | January 26-29, 2025
A 4-day event where culinary professionals from around the world provide an exploration of diverse culinary flavors.
CULINARY SCHOLARSHIP DINNER
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2025
The Heart and Soul Dinner is the kick-off to the Global Culinary Conference. This inaugural scholarship dinner supports minority students, enabling them to follow their culinary dreams without financial obstacles.
- Seated Dinner: 5-course dinner
- Venue: Historic El Dorado Ballroom located in Third Ward Houston
- Attire: Cocktail/Chic
- Live Music: Entertainment from local artists
- Ticketed Event: Open to the public & conference attendees
Meet the Chefs Crafting Your Dinner
Featuring a team of esteemed global chefs working together to present a five-course dinner that showcases a truly global culinary experience.
Dayanny De La Cruz
Vice President of Culinary, Levy Restaurants
Chef Patricia “Patti” Delgado
Executive Chef, Ninfa’s at Uptown
Shannen Tune
Executive Chef, Craft Burger
Chef Chris Williams
Owner of Lucille’s
Emmanuel Chavez
Executive Chef, Tatemó
Mark Holley
Executive Chef, Davis Street
thank you to our Dinner Chairs
Gaynell Drexler
Elise Drexler
Brittany Gilmore
INDUSTRY MIXERS
Blast Off and Expand Your Network
Enjoy valuable networking opportunities and gain insights from top culinary experts at our exclusive events.
The Takeoff
January 27, 2025
Fasten your seatbelts for an extraordinary happy hour as we embark on a journey to connect with fellow industry professionals! Prepare for a thrilling evening of lively conversations, dynamic networking, and a heartfelt welcome to our conference!
Mid-Flight
January 28, 2025
Take a refreshing break in the heart of the conference at our lively trade show, where professionals and vendors converge. Savor light refreshments as you discover fresh ideas to elevate your business.
The Landing
January 29, 2025
As the conference comes in for a landing, join us for one more round of drinks and conversation with industry leaders. It’s your chance to make those final connections and ensure a smooth descent into new opportunities.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to boost your business.
Ticket prices will increase on the day of the event. Feed the Soul Foundation will not be issuing invitation letters to support visa applications to attend our 2025 Global Conference. We recommend that individuals outside the United States wishing to attend the conference utilize their passports for identification.
Boost Camp Ticket Bundle
JANUARY 27 - 28, 2025- BOOST Camp is for existing culinary business owners seeking to grow their businesses to the next level.
- 2-Day Boost Camp Pass
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch
- Includes Heart & Soul Dinner Ticket
- Happy Hour Sessions
Launchpad Ticket BUNDLE
JANUARY 28 - 29, 2025- Launchpad is for those seeking to learn how to start a culinary business.
- 2-Day Launchpad Pass
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch
- Includes Heart & Soul Dinner Ticket
- Happy Hour Sessions
HEART & SOUL DINNER Ticket
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2025- The Heart and Soul Dinner is the kick-off to the Global Culinary Conference hosted at the Historic El Dorado Ballroom located in Third Ward Houston. This inaugural scholarship dinner supports minority students, enabling them to follow their culinary dreams without financial obstacles.
BOOST Camp TICKETs
JANUARY 27 - 28, 2025- BOOST Camp is for existing culinary business owners seeking to grow their businesses to the next level.
- 2-Day Boost Camp Pass
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch
- Happy Hour Sessions
LAUNCH PAD TICKETs
JANUARY 28 - 29, 2025- Launchpad is for those seeking to learn how to start a culinary business.
- 2-Day Launch Pad Pass
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch
- Happy Hour Sessions
SINGLE DAY TICKETS
select which day you will attend- Single Day Pass of your choice of Business Development Sessions
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch
- Single Happy Hour Ticket
conference schedule
Learn how to launch & grow your culinary business, & master the art of expanding your operations for greater profit.
MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025
| 7:30 – 9:30 AM |
REGISTRATION
★ commons area
| 7:30 – 8:30 AM |
BREAKFAST
Complimentary breakfast provided
★ commons area
| 8:45 – 9:00 AM |
WELCOME SESSION
Welcome & Special Invited Guests
by Feed the Soul Foundation
★ auditorium
| 9:00 – 9:45 AM |
KEYNOTE SESSION
The Journey to Licensing
An inspirational message from
Chef JJ Johnson of Fieldtrip
★ auditorium
| 10:00 – 11:00 AM |
GROWTH PANEL
Scaling For Growth & Profitability
Should You Go Multi-Unit?
★ auditorium
| 11:10 AM – 12:00 PM |
MASTERCLASS
Product Innovations by Sysco
★ auditorium
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM |
LUNCH
Complimentary lunch provided
★ commons area
| 1:10 – 2:00 PM |
MASTERCLASS
① Succession Planning
From Buying, To Selling, or Exiting the Business
★ lecture hall 107
② How to Pay Yourself
★ lecture hall 108
| 2:15 – 3:30 PM |
MASTERCLASS
① Selecting the Right Location
Understand commercial lease agreements and how to properly prepare to buy real estate
★ commons area
② Understanding Your Taxes
★ lecture hall 107
③ Building Business Credits
Training session to learn how to build business credit
★ lecture hall 108
| 3:15 – 3:30 PM |
SNACK BREAK
Complimentary snacks provided
★ commons area
| 3:30 – 5:00 PM |
BREAKOUT SESSION
① How To Mitigate Risk
Natural Disasters, Legal Pitfalls, & Business Interruption
★ lecture hall 108
② Calculating Food Cost
★ lecture hall 108
③ SBA Loans & Commercial Credit Lending
★ commons area
| 6:00 – 8:00 PM |
THE TAKEOFF
Happy Hour
★ Gloria’s Midtown Houston
TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2025
| 7:30 – 9:30 AM |
REGISTRATION
★ commons area
| 7:30 – 8:30 AM |
BREAKFAST
Complimentary breakfast provided
★ commons area
| 8:45 – 9:00 AM |
+ 
WELCOME SESSION
Welcome & Special Invited Guests
by Feed the Soul Foundation
★ auditorium
| 9:00 – 9:45 AM |
+ KEYNOTE SESSION
Launching To Success – CPG & Branding
An inspirational message from
Chef James Tahhan, Venezuelan Chef and TV personality
★ auditorium
| 10:00 – 11:00 AM |
+ GROWTH PANEL
Power of Partnerships
★ auditorium
| 11:10 AM – 12:00 PM |
+ MASTERCLASS
From Behind the Stove to CEO
★ auditorium
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM |
LUNCH
Complimentary lunch provided
★ commons area
| 1:15 – 2:10 PM |
MASTERCLASS
Restaurant 101, The Non Negotiable
★ lecture hall 107
| 1:15 – 3:15 PM |
BREAKOUT SESSION
① Hiring and Retaining Generational Employees
★ lecture hall 107
② Worker Opportunity Tax Credit
★ lecture hall 108
③ HR Policies & Authorizations
★ lecture hall 107
④ Staff Training Opportunities
★ lecture hall 108
| 2:15 – 3:00 PM |
GROWTH PANEL
Thinking Outside the Box with Revenue Streams
★ commons area
| 3:15 – 3:30 PM |
SNACK BREAK
Complimentary snacks provided
★ commons area
| 3:30 – 5:00 PM |
BREAKOUT SESSION
① Marketing Tools for Culinary Businesses
★ lecture hall 107
② Building a Culinary Brand
★ lecture hall 108
③ Creating Marketing Content
★ commons area
| 6:00 – 8:00 PM |
MID-FLIGHT
Happy Hour
★ Ion Houston
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2025
| 7:30 – 9:30 AM |
REGISTRATION
★ commons area
| 7:30 – 8:30 AM |
BREAKFAST
Complimentary breakfast provided
★ commons area
| 8:45 – 9:00 AM |
WELCOME SESSION
Welcome & Special Invited Guests
by Feed the Soul Foundation
★ auditorium
| 9:00 – 9:45 AM |
KEYNOTE SESSION
Lessons I’ve Learned
An inspirational message from
Gocha Hawkins
★ auditorium
| 10:00 – 11:00 AM |
GROWTH PANEL
Menu Services and Menu Development Workshop by Sysco
★ lecture hall 107
| 11:10 AM – 12:00 PM |
GROWTH PANEL
Recipe for Success
Keys to Success from Culinary Business Owners
★ lecture hall 107
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM |
LUNCH
Complimentary lunch provided
★ commons area
| 1:10 – 2:00 PM |
MASTERCLASS
Plates to Profits
Accounting Essentials for Culinary Entrepreneurs
★ lecture hall 107
| 2:15 – 2:45 PM |
MASTERCLASS
Lease Like a Pro
Establishing Your Business in the Right Location
★ lecture hall 107
| 2:50 – 3:20 PM |
GROWTH PANEL
Dining Design
Navigating the Restaurant Build-Out Process
★ lecture hall 107
| 3:20 – 3:35 PM |
SNACK BREAK
Complimentary snacks provided
★ commons area
| 3:35 – 4:20 PM |
BREAKOUT SESSION
Building Business Credit 101
★ lecture hall 107
| 4:25 – 5:00 PM |
BREAKOUT SESSION
Recruit, Retain, Repeat
Mastering the Art of Staffing Your Business
★ lecture hall 107
| 6:00 – 8:00 PM |
THE LANDING
Happy Hour
★ Quad Houston
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS
