Philly Chef Conference
The 10th Annual Philly Chef Conference 2024
October 13–14, 2024
The Drexel University Academic Bistro and Kitchens
101 N. 33rd St
6th Floor, Academic Building
Sunday, October 13, 2024
An afternoon: ticketed workshops and keynote address; local producer reception
Monday, October 14, 2024
A full day of demonstrations, tastings, panel discussions and presentations
REGISTER
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.
Agenda
All events held at Drexel University’s Food and Hospitality Management Program, 101 N. 33rd St, 6th Floor unless otherwise indicated.
12–1:15 p.m.
Bistro
Drexel Food and Hospitality Management Alumni Panel
Sponsored by Shake Shack
Featuring:
- Natalie Shaak, MS Publication Management ‘15, BS Culinary Arts and Science, ‘22, Drexel Alumni Board of Governors
- Krzysztof Babik, BS Culinary Arts, ‘11, Executive Chef, Flik Hospitality Group/Comcast Center
- Taylor Chlebina, BS Hospitality Management ‘19, Digital Marketing Consultant/Four Seasons
- Tonii Hicks, BS Culinary Arts and Science ‘21, Private Chef/James Beard Foundation Fellow
- Laura King, MS Food Science, ‘21, Scientist, Product Development, McCormick
- Jessica Latorre, BS in Culinary Arts ‘17, Baker, High Street Hospitality Group
- Danielle Sikaffy, BS Culinary Arts and Science ‘23, Line Cook, My Loup
12–1:30 p.m.
Production Kitchen
Groundbreaking Gear: How to Execute with Precision and Consistency using Less Labor
Sponsored by Unox
Featuring:
- Shola Olunloyo, Studio Kitchen
- Brad Daniels, Tresini
- Nich Bazik, Provenance
- Joel Prazych, Unox
1:15–2 p.m.
Hallway
Funnel Cake and Coffee Reception
Sponsored by Fox and Son
Afternoon Workshops
1–3 p.m.
Off-site
The After-Dinner Menu Experience
Lavazza Training Center, West Chester, PA // Pre-registration required.
Bus departs at noon or use your own transportation.
Featuring:
- Frank LaRusso, Lavazza Coffee
- Aurora Grace, Aurora Grace Chocolates
1:30–4 p.m.
Bakery
Pan Pizza Innovation featuring Peter's Signature "Embedded Cheese Technique"
Pre-registration required.
Sponsored by King Arthur Baking Company.
Moderator: Peter Reinhart
2–4 p.m.
Dietz & Watson Demonstration Kitchen
Sourcing with Intention
Moderator: Johanna Kolodny
Featuring:
- Togue Brawn, Downeast Dayboat
- Emily Nicolson, Iliamna Fish Company
- Christopher Nicolson, Iliamna Fish Company
- Molly Riordan, Center for Good Food Purchasing
- Judy Ni
Bar
Bittersweet Botanicals: Using Herbal Ingredients to Make Your Own Amaro, Kombucha, Sodas, Shrubs + More
Moderator:
- Danny Childs, Slow Drinks
Bistro
Food Entrepreneurship Workshop
Featuring:
- Jen Honovic Herczeg, Salt & Vinegar
- Mike Oraschewsky, FEAST Food Works
- Gabriel Marchiony, FEAST Food Works
- Rebecca Etter
Production Kitchen
Groundbreaking Gear: How to Execute with Precision and Consistency using Less Labor (repeat session)
Sponsored by Unox
Featuring:
- Shola Olunloyo, Studio Kitchen
- Brad Daniels, Tresini
- Nich Bazik, Provenance
- Joel Prazych, Unox
4–5 p.m.
Bistro
Opening Keynote Session
Culinary Arts for the Health of People, Planet and Economies
- Alex Askew, BCA Global, “Mindful Eating for the Beloved Community”
- Jezabel Careaga, Jezabel’s, “The Future is Going Back to Your Roots”
- Beth Forrest, Culinary Institute of America/Association for the Study of Food and Society, “Chefs as Capital”
5–6 p.m.
Bistro
Local Producers Reception
With beverage contributions from:
- Slow Drinks
- Baba’s Brew
- Di Bruno Bros.
And food from:
- Goodlands Foods
- Third Wheel Cheese Company
- TBJ Gourmet
- Poppa’s Custard
- Pizza Quest
- Perrystead Dairy
- and more
7 p.m.
Off-site
Optional Ticketed Mystery Dine
$100 per person, includes food, beverage and tax. Please tip generously. Dietary restrictions may not be accommodated.
8–9 a.m.
Bistro
Registration and Breakfast
Featuring:
- Spread Bagels
- Essen Bakery
- La Colombe coffee
9–10 a.m.
Bistro
Philly at 250: The Future of Restaurants
Organized by:
- Qamara Edwards, President, Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association Philadelphia Chapter
With:
- Ellen Yin, High Street Hospitality Group
- Kurt Evans, Black Dragon
- Amanda Schulman, Her Place Supper Club
- Jack Chen, Bai Wei/A La Mousse
ReThink Food Lounge
Mutual Aid and Food Insecurity
Sponsored by the Association for the Study of Food and Society
Organized by:
- Rachel Sherman, Drexel University
With:
- Valerie Erwin, St. Christopher’s Foundation for Children
- Jena Harris, BunnyHop
- Ben Miller, Reinhard St Community Farm
Moderated by:
- Matt Jozwiak, ReThink Food
Bar
Happy Hour for All: How Embracing the No & Low Alcohol Movement is Just Good Hospitality
Featuring:
- Heather Ransome, Zero Proof Go
10:15–11:15 a.m.
Bistro
Media Training for Chefs
Organized by:
- Rosemary Trout, Drexel University
Featuring:
- Tiona Langley, Industry Collective
- Taylor Ann Spencer, Delish
- Chris Principee, Conde Nast
- Frank Cosgriff, Conde Nast
ReThink Food Lounge
Securing Sustainable Taste: The Role of Vertical Farming in Food Security
Featuring:
- Connor Harbison, Atlas Farms
Dietz and Watson Demonstration Kitchen
Goat Butchery and Cooking
Featuring:
- Mohamed Haroun, Al Baraka
- Ange Branca, Kampar Kitchen
Bakery
Where Do Your Spices Come From? Why Single Origin Spices Matter, for Flavor and the World (Pt. 1)
Organized by:
- Ethan Frisch, Burlap and Barrel Single Origin Spices
- Ori Zohar, Burlap and Barrel Single Origin Spices
Featuring:
- Cybille St. Aude-Tate, Honeysuckle Provisions
Bar
The Realized and Unrealized Potential of Local Wine
Organized by:
- Tim Kweeder, Fell to Earth Vermouth/Wildings Events
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Bistro
Philly Digital Food Media
Organized by:
- Alison Kessler, Infatuation Philly
Featuring:
- Peter Breslow, Peter Breslow Public Relations
- Nick Elmi, Laurel/Lark
- Margaret Eby, Philadelphia Inquirer
- Dave Wesolowski, feedingtimetv
ReThink Food Lounge
The Farm to Table Evolution
Organized by:
- Chuck Ziccardi, Drexel University
Featuring:
- Ian Brendle, Green Meadow Farms
- Andrew Wood, Le Virtu
Bakery
Where Do Your Spices Come From? Why Single Origin Spices Matter, for Flavor and the World” (Pt 2)
Organized by:
- Ethan Frisch, Burlap and Barrel Single Origin Spices
- Ori Zohar, Burlap and Barrel Single Origin Spices
Featuring:
- Cybille St. Aude-Tate, Honeysuckle Provisions
Bar
Sushi and Sake Pairing
Featuring:
- Carlos Wills, Ogawa
- Jacob Trinh, Little Fish
Dietz & Watson Demonstration Kitchen
Preventing and Minimizing Food Waste for People, Planet and Profit
Organized by:
- Jonathan Deutsch, Drexel University
Featuring:
- Jon Polley, Center for Good Food Purchasing
12:30–1:30 p.m.
Lunch
Lunch by Farina Pasta and Noodle and MacMart with Breezy’s Deli and Pizza Freak
1:30–2:30 p.m.
ReThink Food Lounge
The Top 5 Things that Get Food Businesses in Legal Trouble
Sponsored by Blank Rome
Organized by:
- Rachel Packer, Blank Rome
- David Perry, Blank Rome
Bar
Madeira and Philadelphia
Organized by:
- Paul MacDonald, Friday Saturday Sunday
Bistro
Culinary Medicine in Philly
Organized by:
- Brandy-Joe Milliron, Drexel University
Featuring:
- Abbe Stern, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Clara Park, Eat Cetera Philly
- Paige Mountain, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Jule Anne Hestenburg, The MANNA Institute
- Stefania Patinella, Ayble Health
- Maddy Booth, Vetri Community Partnership
Bakery
It’s 2024. Kick the Fruit Plate Out the Door. Essential Vegan Desserts for Everyone
Featuring:
2:45–3:45 p.m.
Bistro
Future Directions and Trends in Pizza
Organized by:
- Peter Reinhart, Johnson and Wales University/Pizza Quest
Featuring:
- Mike Webster, Down North
- Mohammad Hadi, Down North
- Dave Ravanesi, Ravanesi Napoletana Pizzeria
- Speer Madanat, Pizza West Chester
- Joe Beddia, Pizzeria Beddia
- Brad Daniels, Tresini/Pizza Freak
- Danny DiGiampietro, Angelo's
ReThink Food Lounge
What Can We Do to Make the Industry More Family Friendly?
Organized by:
- Natalie Shaak, Center for Hunger Free Communities, Drexel University
Featuring:
- Elias Bitar, Norma’s Restaurant
- Vy To, Ogawa
Bar
Wine Talk and Tasting
Featuring:
- Sande Friedman, Di Bruno Bros
Bakery
Patisserie Demonstration
Featuring:
- Rocco Lugrine, Drexel University
4–5 p.m.
Bistro
Closing Keynote
Fireside Chat with Palak Patel, author of Food Is Love
Followed by a book signing.
Featuring:
- Palak Patel
- Rosemary Trout, Drexel University
5 p.m.
Student volunteer all-hands cleanup and pizza party sponsored by Blazerz Food Joint
5:30–7 p.m.
Off-site
Closing Reception at Broad Street Love
Hosted by:
Featuring:
- Laure Biron, Broad Street Love
- Ange Branca, Kampar Kitchen
- Judy Ni
- Jon Raffa, Carina Sorella
- Bonnie Sarana, Vanilya Bakery
- Bobby Saritsoglou, Stina Pizzeria
- Diana Widjojo, Rice & Sambal
- Paul Zelinsky, Winkel