A Decade of Food Education: Philly Chef Conference Returns in October

The Philly Chef Conference™ returns for its 10th year on Oct. 13-14. Started by the Food and Hospitality Management program in Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions in 2013, the original Philly Chef Conference is an important tradition for students to learn alongside industry leaders. This year's conference is more focused on Philadelphia, education and student engagement.

The annual conference aims to engage Drexel students with industry leaders, while also connecting members of the regional restaurant and food community during the two-day event. The latest food and beverage ideas and techniques will be showcased through educational lectures, panel discussions and demonstrations.

“The Philly Chef Conference has become the premier event for our department and enables students to not only network, but to learn about larger aspects of the industry outside of a traditional classroom setting,” said Paul O’Neill, an assistant clinical professor and chair of the Philly Chef Conference. “Additionally, it has always been a great platform for students to showcase their talents by managing and executing the event, highlighting experiential learning, the core tenet of Drexel University.”

The two-day event kicks off with a panel of students and notable alumni including:

• Natalie Shaak, MS Publication Management ‘15, BS Culinary Arts and Science, ‘22, Drexel Center for Hunger Free Communities and 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

“We love hosting this fun event where our fabulous students can mix, mingle and learn from industry experts,” said Rosemary Trout, DHSc, associate clinical professor and program director of Culinary Arts and Food Science in Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. “It's an honor to showcase some aspects of food media, and the food scene in Philadelphia, here on campus.”

Several prominent Philadelphia chefs and restaurateurs, including Ellen Yin, Amanda Schulman, Kurt Evans, Jezabel Careaga, Nick Elmi, Brian Lofink, Shola Olunyolo, Brad Daniels, Clara Park, Jacob Trinh and Nick Bazik, will lead discussions and demonstrations throughout the conference along with prominent authors and celebrity chefs from beyond the city, including Peter Reinhart, Palak Patel, Tarver King, Hari Cameron and Alex Askew.

Sessions range from ingredient sourcing and sustainability, to media training and legal issues; from vegan desserts and goat butchery, to maximizing kitchen equipment and labor pools. Students and industry professionals will experience a wide range of sessions covering the ever-evolving industry.

“Drexel has a long tradition of offering a leading-edge culinary and food training and networking experiences with our Philly Chef Conference,” Glenn Williams, PhD, senior associate dean of Health Professions in Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. “We are excited about this year’s conference, which highlights outstanding alumni, our faculty and their expertise, and friends from Philadelphia’s vibrant, award-winning food and hospitality scene. It is something people in the food and hospitality industry won’t want to miss.”

Food and beverage will be provided by Slow Drinks, Baba’s Brew, DiBruno Bros., Goodlands Foods, Third Wheel Cheese Company, TBJ Gourmet, Poppa’s Custard, Pizza Quest, Perrystead Dairy, Spread Bagels, Essen Bakery, Farina Pasta and Noodle, MacMart, Breezy’s Deli, High Street, Spread Bagels, Downeast Dayboat, Pizza Freak and more. The conference reception will be held at Broad Street Love, hosted by Chef Joncarl Lachman and sponsored by the Royal Restaurant Group.

Event sponsors include Dietz & Watson, ReThink Food, Shake Shack, Fox and Son, King Arthur Baking Company, Association for the Study of Food and Society, Les Dames d’Escoffier, Unox, Cambro, CLV Marketing, Maxwell McKenney, Curate Keystone/Alto-Shaam, Blank Rome, Lavazza, and Blazerz Food Joint.

The event is only open to Food and Hospitality Management program students, alumni, and the industry and is sold out. For more information, visit: drexel.edu/phillychefconference.

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. It is led by the Philly Chef Conference Planning Committee, which includes Drexel faculty, professional staff and industry leaders.