Premier Culinary Business Development Conference, Jan. 25–27, Featuring Workshops, Panels & Keynotes to Help Entrepreneurs Grow and Scale Their Businesses
HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 2026) – As economic pressures continue to reshape how Americans dine, culinary businesses are navigating a critical moment. Over the past 18 months, diners have been eating out less frequently and spending less when they do. Data from Black Box Intelligence shows that restaurant traffic declined month over month throughout 2025, with just one slight uptick of 0.1% in July – signaling a downturn in profits for culinary businesses. According to Feed the Soul Foundation’s State of Small Culinary Businesses Industry Report, 9 out of 10 culinary businesses are small enterprises that drive economic growth, build local wealth, and help revitalize neighborhoods. Yet declining restaurant traffic, limited government support, rising rents, and demographic shifts continue to threaten their sustainability. To remedy the ever-changing landscape of the culinary industry, Feed the Soul Foundation, a national nonprofit that continues to provide business development solutions for culinary businesses, will host its third annual Global Culinary Conference.
In partnership with Sysco, Sysco To Go, Tower Insurance, Black Restaurant Week, and Latin Restaurant Weeks, the three-day, in-person conference will equip culinary business owners, chefs, hospitality management and food entrepreneurs with education, strategy and networking opportunities to grow thriving culinary ventures. The event will be held in Houston, Texas from Sunday, January 25 through Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at the Rice University Anderson-Clarke Center.
Partnering with Sysco, Tower Insurance, InKind App, Black Restaurant Week, and Latin Restaurant Weeks, the conference continues to deliver deep, practical training tailored to both established culinary professionals and emerging entrepreneurs with keynote presentations, interactive panels, master classes, tailored business coaching, and networking sessions.
Keynotes will provide exclusive business strategies that have shaped their careers:
- Growing Pains From a Nashville Garage to a National Brand: with founders Clint Gray, EJ Reed and Derrick Moore of Slim + Husky’s Pizza Beeria. A conversation that explores the strategic decisions behind scaling a successful culinary business, the challenges faced along the way, and practical insights for navigating growth with purpose.
- Breaking the Mold: Redefining Fine Dining with Fusion and Soul with Chef Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast, a James Beard and Michelin award-winning chef. A conversation exploring how Chef Bille blends Mexican ingredients, French training, and Los Angeles street food culture to create a new language of New American cuisine. A session for chefs and restaurateurs who want to ditch the rules and forge a new path while delivering exceptional customer service that builds loyalty and long-term success.
Attendees can choose full conference access, two-day tracks, or single-day passes.
2026 Global Culinary Conference Highlights Include:
- Take-off Welcome Dinner: A high-energy evening networking event kicking off the conference on Sunday, presented by InKind App with a fiesta-style evening and lively game of Loteria hosted by Humberto Martinez of Space City Birria at La Fisheria
- Hands-on Master Classes: Covering critical topics including Navigating Business Financing, Understanding Franchise Models, Doing Business with Sysco to lower food costs and reduce waste to The Restaurant Profit Blueprint to understand menu engineering and digital traffic secrets.
- Pitch Competition: Selected founders will pitch their consumer products in-person to industry leaders, distributors, and funders for a chance at large-scale distribution, strategic partnerships, growth capital, and a $1,000 grant.
- Interactive Workshops & Breakouts: Practical sessions designed to build business acumen and operational readiness.
- Networking Events & Happy Hours: Opportunities to connect with chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary professionals.
- Complimentary Breakfast & Lunch Daily: Supporting attendees throughout the conference experience.
Registration and ticket details are available at Global Culinary Conference 2026 | Feed the Soul Foundation.
LOCATION
RICE UNIVERSITY Anderson-Clarke Center
6100 Main St.
Houston, TX 77005
About Feed the Soul Foundation
Feed the Soul Foundation was established in 2020 to aid marginalized entrepreneurs in the culinary industry with business development resources and support to foster sustainable business growth. The Restaurant Business Development Fund supports marginalized business owners with business development scholarships and emergency funding.
