3-Day culinary experiences, training sessions, and networking to boost or launch your food business.
February 15-17, 2026 | Houston TX
Elevate your culinary business
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!
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
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
CONFERENCE LOCATION
Dive into interactive workshops, panel discussions, and inspiring keynote presentations from renowned experts to help your culinary business succeed.
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.
Rice University Anderson-Clarke Center
6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005
INDUSTRY MIXERS
Expand Your Network
Enjoy valuable networking opportunities and gain insights from top culinary experts at our exclusive events.
FEB 15th
Welcome to the conference!
Kick off the 2026 Global Culinary Conference with the Take-Off Welcome Dinner, a fiesta-style evening featuring great food, drinks, and a lively game of Lotería hosted by Humberto Martinez of Space City Birria. Connect with fellow industry professionals during this high-energy welcome designed to spark conversation, community, and excitement for the journey ahead.
LA FISHERIA
213 MILAM ST., HOUSTON., TX 77002
FEB 16th
Take a break and discover new ideas.
The Mid-Flight Supplier Showcase brings together culinary professionals and innovative vendors at Sysco To Go for an interactive experience featuring tastings, small business resources, and 2026 food trends. Connect, sample, and discover products and services designed to inspire and elevate your culinary business.
Sysco To Go – Houston Medical Centre
1212 Old Spanish Trl | Houston, TX 77054
FEB 17th
A chance to make final connections.
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.
FRNDS Restaurant + Lounge
2441 University Blvd | Houston, TX 77005
PURCHASE TICKETS
Secure Your Seat
Get ready for liftoff!
Feed the Soul Foundation will not be issuing invitation letters to support visa applications to attend our 2026 Global Conference. We recommend that individuals outside the United States wishing to attend the conference utilize their passports for identification.
Dinner & Two (2) Days of Training
FEBRUARY 15 - 17, 2026 | INCLUDES 15% DISCOUNT- You’ll choose your preferred training track during checkout.
- Takeoff Welcome Dinner
- 2-Day Conference Pass
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch
- Happy Hour Sessions
Two (2) Days of Training
FEBRUARY 15 - 17, 2026- During checkout, you’ll choose your preferred training track.
- 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.
Derrick Moore
Founders of Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria
Clint Gray
Founders of Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria
E.J. Reed
Founders of Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria
Chef Thomas Bille
Owner of Belly of The Beast Restaurant
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Learn how to launch & grow your culinary business, & master the art of expanding your operations for greater profit.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2026
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
REGISTRATION
★ Common Ground
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
BREAKFAST
Complimentary breakfast provided
★ Common Ground
| 8:45 – 9:00 AM |
+ 
Welcome Session
Welcome & Special Invited Guests
by Feed the Soul Foundation
★ Auditorium
| 9:00 – 9:45 AM |
+
Pop-Up to Permanent
Growing Pop-Ups into Sustainable
Brick-and-Mortar Businesses
Growth Panel
★ Auditorium
| 10:00 – 11:00 AM |
+
Growing Pains
From a Nashville Garage to a National Brand
Keynote Session
★ Auditorium
| 11:10 AM – 11:30 AM |
+
Doing Business with Sysco
How to Lower Food Costs and Reduce Waste
Masterclass
★ Auditorium
| 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM |
LUNCH
Complimentary lunch provided
★ Common Ground
| 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM |
+
The Restaurant Profit Blueprint
Menu Engineering and Digital Traffic Secrets
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 108
Franchising Models
Are you ready? Is it the right fit for your business?
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 110
| 1:20 PM – 2:10 PM |
30/60/90 Restaurant Launch Playbook
Are you ready? Is it the right fit for your business?
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 110
| 1:20 PM – 1:45 PM |
Destination Dining
Preparing Your Business for High-Volume Tourism Moments
Breakout Session
★ Lecture Hall 108
| 1:50 PM – 2:25 PM |
Winning Institutional Food Contracts
Securing Procurement, Bids, and RFPs
Breakout Session
★ Lecture Hall 108
| 2:35 PM – 3:15 PM |
Contract-Ready Pitching
Capability Statements and Pitch Decks
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 108
Navigating Business Financing
Banks, SBA Loans, and What to Avoid
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 110
| 3:15 – 3:30 PM |
SNACK BREAK
Complimentary snacks provided
★ Commons Grounds
| 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM |
+
Certified for Growth
Turning Small Business Certifications into Opportunity
Breakout Session
★ Lecture Hall 108 (English) | ★ Lecture Hall 112 (Spanish)
Beyond Sauces and Spices
Selecting Consumer Products That Fit Your Brand and Market Demand
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 110
| 4:20 PM – 5:00 PM |
+
Digital Advertising for Growth
Marketing Strategies That Drive Profit
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 108
+
The Consumer Goods Pitch Lab
CPG Pitch Competition
Pitch Competition
★ Lecture Hall 110
| 5:30 – 7:30 PM |
Mid-Flight Supplier Showcase
Happy Hour
★ Sysco To Go – Houston Medical Centre
1212 Old Spanish Trl, Houston, TX 77054
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2026
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
REGISTRATION
★ Common Ground
| 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM |
BREAKFAST
Complimentary breakfast provided
★ Common Ground
| 8:45 – 9:00 AM |
+
Welcome Session
Welcome & Special Invited Guests
by Feed the Soul Foundation
★ Lecture Hall 108
| 9:00 – 9:45 AM |
+
Operating in Challenging Times
Knowing when to Pivot
Growth Panel
★ Lecture Hall 108
| 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM |
+
Smart Insurance Decisions
Commercial Insurance for Culinary Businesses
Presented by Tower Insurance
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 108
| 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM |
+
Breaking the Mold
Redefining Fine Dining with Fusion and Soul
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 108
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM |
LUNCH
Complimentary lunch provided
★ Common Ground
| 1:00 PM- 1:45 PM |
+
Pouring into Yourself First
Managing Stress and Health
Growth Panel
★ Lecture Hall 108
+
Strong Letters of Intent
Structuring Commercial Real Estate Agreements
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 110
| 1:50 PM- 2:40 PM |
+
Customer Experience Training
Driving Satisfaction and Revenue
Breakout Session
★ Lecture Hall 108
The Business of Catering
Profitable Pricing and Operational Planning
Breakout Session
★ Lecture Hall 110
| 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM |
Leveraging AI and Automation
Reducing Costs and Improving Efficiency
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 108
Choosing the Right POS
Evaluating Long-Term Value
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 110
| 3:30 PM- 3:45 PM |
SNACK BREAK
Complimentary snacks provided
★ Commons Grounds
| 3:45 PM – 4:15 PM |
+
Promotions That Pay Off
Profitable Promotions That Bring in New Customers
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 108
+
Ready for New Talent?
Recruiting, Onboarding, and Retaining Employees
Masterclass
★ Lecture Hall 110
| 4:20 PM – 5:00 PM |
+
Wellness on the Menu
Profitable Plant-Based and Healthy Options
Growth Panel
★ Lecture Hall 108
| 5:30 – 7:30 PM |
The Final Landing
Happy Hour
★ FRNDS Lounge
2441 University Blvd, Houston, TX 770054
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?
Hands-on training to help grow or launch your culinary business and boost profits.
2026 Feed the Soul Foundation’s Global Culinary Conference
Event Date: February 15-17, 2026
Location: RICE UNIVERSITY Anderson-Clarke Center
6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005
Renowned experts share valuable insights on securing funding, managing personnel, 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.
– 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
Prepare for Landing
PLAN YOUR STAY
Pack your bags to connect with top chefs, industry leaders, and food innovators in the heart of Houston.
As a proud partner of Feed the Soul Foundation, we’re offering exclusive discounted rates just for you. Enjoy your stay with a little extra hospitality from us.
We're thrilled to host you.
InterContinental Houston
6750 Main St., Houston, Texas 77030
Enjoy your stay with.
DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Medical Center Hotel & Suites
6800 Main St. Houston, Texas 77030
Thanks for the Lift-Off
2026 SPONSORS & PARTNERS
