The 11th Annual Philly Chef Conference 2025-2026

The Philly Chef Conference is pleased to announce that we will be hosting monthly events for Winter 2026!

Cheese Workshop with Mondial du Fromage Gold Medal Cheesemonger Emilia D'Albero and Jasper Hill Farms

Monday, February 16, 2026 • 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Free for students; $20 suggested donation for professionals
Registration coming soon!

A Conversation with Drew Nieporent

Monday, March 2, 2026 • 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Drew Nieporent, author of I'm Not Trying To Be Difficult: Stories from the Restaurant Trenches in conversation with Kiki Aranita, Philadelphia Inquirer

$25 Includes a signed copy of I'm Not Trying To Be Difficult: Stories from the Restaurant Trenches, free for students.
Registration coming soon!

For inquiries, contact Prof. Paul O'Neill at pgo27@drexel.edu.
For sponsorship inquiries, contact Heather Procaccino at hp499@drexel.edu.
For media inquiries, contact Annie Korp at amk522@drexel.edu.

The Philly Chef Conference is hosted by Drexel University's Food and Hospitality Management Department. The mission of this annual conference is to engage our students with industry leaders while also connecting members of the restaurant community through a day of education.

The conference is an annual event designed to convene the regional food community and to showcase the latest food and beverage ideas and techniques through educational lectures, panel discussions and demonstrations. It brings together the best chefs, food producers and personalities and links established food and hospitality professionals with aspiring students and young industry professionals.

The Philly Chef Conference is a trademark of Drexel University and is not affiliated with other food or culinary conferences in Philadelphia. It was founded by alumni of the food and hospitality management programs in 2013 and has been held annually, led by the Philly Chef Conference Planning Committee, which includes Drexel faculty, professional staff and industry leaders.