The 2023 Chef Culinary Conference will be here before you know it, and we have a rich and comprehensive educational program planned for you, thanks to our team and the support from everyone involved.

This popular event will be held at UMass Amherst, June 11-16th with the theme ‘Mindful Eating, Healthy Lifestyle’. We will continue to focus on plant-forward cuisine and to shape the campus dining segment with healthy food and lifestyle options. Inspiration will come from ‘Mediterranean to Okinawa and Beyond,’ full of culturally-driven and globally-inspired recipes and practices.

We expect a great turn-out as we address some hot topics for our Gen Z customers.
Here are some of the highlights:

• Several national renowned speakers and food experts from Frank Hu, Walter Willett, Eric Decker, Gillian  Martin Yan, Jet Tila, Pati Jinich and  Jody Adams to Gerry Fernandez, just name a few
• 35 interactive hands-on workshops with 16 accomplished chefs and faculty from Johnson & Wales covering a variety of cuisines from Mediterranean, Japanese, African, Latin, Indian, and Thai, to plant-forward and plant-based, as well as media training
• Three famed professors (MDs) from Harvard will talk about nutrition and dietary health, including mental health
• Two of the most highly cited food scientists in the world will discuss the present situation and future of food
• Nutritional Symposium for dietitians, managers, directors, and supply chain
• A Leadership Symposium, exclusively for Food Service/Auxiliary Directors, will feature lively discussions with solutions on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing collegiate dining and auxiliary programs today
• Eight esteemed directors from the C & U segment will share their thoughts and vision, from best practices for planetary & human health, DEI, talent management, culinary strategy and innovation, to campus life and the student experience
• Four C-Suite Presidents from the supply chain will discuss the state of the industry, innovation and how we can all work together strategically
• Student panel: college students will talk about what they are expecting from us as they return to campus this fall
• An ACF-sanctioned team competition for 12 teams
• “Tournament of Champions” competition with celebrity chef Jet Tila
• An expert in the field will discuss the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion in foodservice
• Vendor Trade Show
• Golf tournament June 11th
• And much more!

Together we will foster mindful eating and a healthy lifestyle on campus and at home. The conference is limited to 350 attendees. We encourage you to sign up early!

Best,
Ken Toong
Chair and Executive Director of Auxiliary Enterprises