Nutrition Sessions
If you’re a dietitian working in campus dining, food service, wellness, or population health, the UMass Chef Culinary Conference offers something few conferences do, which is integrate nutrition across the full dining experience.
This is a 5-day conference where dietitians are not an add-on. Nutrition is integrated throughout the week, with mainstage panels and discussions alongside chefs, dining directors, and industry leaders, plus a dedicated afternoon Nutrition Track designed specifically for dietitians and nutrition enthusiasts.
What the Week Looks Like:
Sunday-Tuesday | Mainstage Programming
High-impact panels and keynote conversations focused on:
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans: what’s new, contested, and what it means for institutional dining
Ultra-processed foods: definitions, evidence, and policy implications
Nutrition policy, food systems, and public messaging
These sessions set the context for how nutrition science, policy, and industry pressures shape real-world dining decisions.
Monday & Tuesday | Afternoon Nutrition Track
Applied, evidence-based sessions tailored to campus dining dietitians, covering inclusive dining, food allergies, disordered eating, gut health, misinformation, sensory needs, and student wellbeing.
Wednesday
A signature Chef-Dietitian-Healthcare Culinary Workshop, developed in partnership with Johnson & Wales, focused on aligning flavor, nutrition, and operational realities. This hands-on session strengthens collaboration across culinary, nutrition, and healthcare teams who collectively support student health.
Thursday (New for 2026)
A dietitian-focused capstone day featuring:
A Leadership Symposium for dietitians
The launch of a Campus Dining Dietitian Collaborative, a working group that will convene annually at the conference and continue meeting throughout the year to share best practices, develop shared resources, and address challenges together.
The Value:
- 5-day program (June 7-11, 2026)
- All meals included
- All conference events included
- Over 20 CPEs
- $599 total registration
With unmatched access to education, collaboration, and professional development, this conference delivers exceptional value for dietitians.
