GLOBAL CULINARY CONFERENCE PRESENTED BY FEED THE SOUL FOUNDATION

JANUARY 26-29, 2025 | HOUSTON, TX

Feed the Soul Foundation warmly invites restaurant owners, food truck operators, bakery owners, caterers, private/personal chefs, culinary arts students, and aspiring culinary business owners to join a four-day training event in Houston. This hands-on experience will feature small business specialists offering guidance and educational sessions to BOOST and LAUNCH your culinary business to new heights of success.

Renowned experts, including James Beard Award-winning chef, New York Times bestselling cookbook author, TV personality, and cultural tastemaker Chef JJ Johnson, will share valuable insights on scaling for growth. Other subject matter experts will delve into securing funding, building business credit, managing personnel, creating effective marketing strategies, and ensuring successful business operations.

Keynote sessions include:

• Chef JJ Johnson, celebrity chef and owner of FIELDTRIP, will detail his inspirational tale and address the journey of licensing.
• Restaurateur Gocha Hawkins, visionary owner of Gocha’s Breakfast Bars & Gocha’s Tapas Bars in Atlanta, will provide lessons in launching a culinary business during her “Lessons I’ve Learned” keynote.
• Chef James Tahhan, Venezuelan chef and TV personality of “Be Latina” on Lifetime, will advise participants on branding and launching consumer packaged goods.

Bring your laptop to Houston and work directly on your business in interactive training sessions led by industry experts. Network with fellow culinary professionals and gain valuable insights to grow and elevate your business. Special thanks to our supporters, Sysco and Tower Insurance.

GLOBAL CULINARY CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

• Keynote speaker sessions featuring Chef JJ Johnson, Chef James Tahhan, and Restaurateur Gocha Hawkins-Haynes
• Panels to discuss growth for culinary businesses
• Masterclasses to develop sustainability in culinary business operations
• Interactive breakout sessions
• Conference workbook filled with templates, worksheets, and articles to improve your culinary business
• Happy hour networking events
• Complimentary breakfast and lunch provided for attendees

• HEART & SOUL CULINARY SCHOLARSHIP DINNER A CULINARY DINING EXPERIENCE TO KICK OFF THE GLOBAL CULINARY CONFERENCE SUNDAY, JANUARY 26, 2025 | DOORS OPEN: 5:30 PM Feed the Soul Foundation presents an evening of international flavor to raise funds for culinary scholarships. Savor an evening of culinary excellence with flavors from around the world. Guests will indulge in a five-course dining experience, complemented by specialty cocktails and wine pairings, and enjoy engaging conversations with local and national chefs. It’s a night where food fosters connection, inspiration, and lasting memories. FEATURED CHEFS: Chef Chris Williams, Owner of Lucille’s Chef Patricia “Patti” Delgado, Executive Chef, Ninfa’s at Uptown Chef Mark Holley, Executive Chef, Davis Street Chef Dayanny De La Cruz, Vice President of Culinary, Levy Restaurants Chef Shannen Tune, Executive Chef, Craft Burger Chef Emmanuel Chavez, Executive Chef, Tatemó Join us for this unique global dining experience in support of culinary scholarships for minority students. Special thanks to our supporters: Sysco, H-E-B, Hildebrand Foundation, Frenchy’s Chicken, Brentwood Baptist Church, and Tower Insurance.