Drexel to Host Second Philly Chef Conference


Drexel University’s Center for Hospitality and Sports Management is hosting its second Philly Chef Conference. The two-day event takes place on Sunday and Monday, January 11th and 12th and will bring renowned chefs, restaurateurs, purveyors and food writers from across the city and region to come together to discuss issues facing the restaurant industry as well as new food trends, products and techniques.

The first day of the conference is open to the public and will feature two panel discussions and a keynote. Tickets are just $20 per person. Fine Wine & Good Spirits – Doing Business with the PA Liquor Control Board will feature a panel of industry experts including Jason Malumed (Chalkboard Wine & Spirits), Melissa Bova (Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association), State Senator Chuck McIlhinney (Chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, responsible for reviewing legislation and policies related to the PLCB) and Steve Wildy (Vetri Family).

Philly 2020–The Future of Dining in Philadelphia will include a panel of chefs including chef chair of the conference, Kevin Sbraga, Jeff Benjamin (Vetri Family), Joncarl Lachman (Noord), Marcie Turney (Barbuzzo) and Rob Keddie (Garces Group) gazing into their crystal balls to discuss what Philadelphia’s dining scene will look like in 2020.

The keynote will be delivered by James Beard Award winning author and internationally known expert on bread and baking, Peter Reinhart.

The second day of the conference will be dedicated to hospitality and restaurant professionals. Participants will learn about writing a cookbook, opening a second restaurant, rebounding from a bad review, developing a menu and more. Panelists will include Craig LaBan (Philadelphia Inquirer), Bill Mignucci (DiBruno Bros.), Bryan Mayer (Kensington Quarters), Kristina Burke (Drexel), Joe Beddia (Pizzeria Beddia), Spike Mendelsohn and many others. Check out all of the panels on Drexel’s Philly Chef Conference web site.

Tickets to day two are $95 and include lunch, happy hour and an after party at Juniper Commons. Tickets are now on sale and likely to go quickly.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available and provide access to the Philly 2020 Dinner at Drexel’s Academic Bistro on Sunday night. That dinner will include a dinner prepared by Peter Serpico (Serpico), Townsend Wentz (Townsend), Brad Daniels (Osteria), Natalie Maronski (Volver) and Jessica Nolen (Brauhaus Schmitz). Hors d’oeuvres will be sponsored by DiBruno Bros. and offered by chefs Joe Baldino (Zeppoli), Joe Cicala (Le Virtu, Brigantessa), Chris Kearse (Will BYOB), Greg Garbacz (Juniper Commons), Yehuda Sichel (Abe Fisher), Nick Macri (Border Springs Lamb Farm), Eli Collins (Pub & Kitchen) and Rob Marzinsky (Fitler Dining Room).

Foobooz and Philadelphia magazine are once again media sponsors of the event.

Philly Chef Conference [Drexel University]