NEW SPEAKERS: Chefs | MORE NEW SPEAKERS > > |
Curtis Stone
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Curtis Stone is a Los Angeles-based Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur, author and culinary entrepreneur. In addition to several Michelin-starred restaurants, Curtis operates Curtis Stone Events in Los Angeles and Australia, a full-service events and catering company that crafts personalized occasions for guests. Outside his restaurants, Curtis is widely known for his appearances on television programs such as the NBC Top Chef franchise, Field Trip with Curtis Stone on PBS, Crime Scene Kitchen on FOX, Netflix’s Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend, and his show/podcast Getting Grilled with Curtis Stone. A New York Times bestselling author, Curtis has authored six cookbooks including his most recent, Good Food, Good Life. Curtis developed Kitchen Solutions, a sleek and functional cookware collection, which has become the best-reviewed brand and top-selling culinary line on the Home Shopping Network. Curtis was recognized with the Medal of the Order of Australia for his outstanding achievement and service in tourism and hospitality. As a beloved TV personality and successful restaurateur, Curtis’s engaging storytelling and infectious enthusiasm make him a standout speaker for culinary events, corporate gatherings, and any audience who loves to eat.
As a public figure, Curtis has dedicated himself to giving back. In 2016, Curtis began a new pledge to give back through his #Commit2One initiative. Each year he partners with a charity, devoting the majority of his time and resources to the cause. Through these efforts, he has raised funds and awareness for The National Young Farmer’s Coalition, Chrysalis, AdoptTogether, and Share Our Strength, which aims to end childhood hunger through their No Kid Hungry campaign. Curtis brings his passion for food to the world stage, captivating audiences with his culinary journey and impact work.
Damaris Phillips
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A celebrated Food Network Star, chef, and entrepreneur, Damaris Phillips brings an irresistible blend of warmth, humor, and culinary expertise to the stage. Phillips is a speaker who inspires others to live their best, most fulfilling lives. Known for her modern takes on Southern comfort food, Damaris has become a Food Network favorite, hosting shows like Outrageous Pumpkins and Summer Baking Championship, and appearing as a judge on Beat Bobby Flay and Chopped. She’s passionate about health, wellness, and the power of food to bring people together. With a passion for innovation, diversity, and mentorship in the culinary world, she offers inspiring insights on breaking barriers, building a personal brand, and reimagining food as a storytelling tool.
A champion for female entrepreneurship, Phillips co-founded Bluegrass Supper Club, a catering company that celebrates Kentucky’s local farmers, and Pixilation Productions, a media company specializing in social media marketing. Through Pixilation, Phillips helps brands build their digital presence and engage with audiences in creative ways, empowering women in the media and marketing space.
Damaris also co-hosts the podcast That’s Fun with Nikki Dinki, where they explore how to embrace more joy and adventure in your 40s. Her message is simple: live with intention, cultivate meaningful connections, and make room for fun.
As a guest speaker, Phillips brings a refreshing perspective on health, business, and personal growth, offering actionable advice on entrepreneurship, building strong relationships, and living a vibrant, purposeful life.
Tom Colicchio
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After three decades of excellence in the restaurant industry, Tom Colicchio was awarded The James Beard Foundation’s coveted “Outstanding Chef” award. At age 17, Colicchio made his kitchen debut in his native town of Elizabeth, New Jersey, at Evelyn’s Seafood Restaurant. Colicchio then cooked at prominent New York restaurants including The Quilted Giraffe, Gotham Bar & Grill, Rakel, and Mondrian. During his tenure as executive chef of Mondrian, Food & Wine magazine selected him as one of the top 10 “Best New Chefs” in the U.S. and The New York Times awarded the restaurant three stars. In July 1994, Colicchio and his business partner Danny Meyer opened Gramercy Tavern in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park neighborhood, garnering three stars from Ruth Reichl of The New York Times and earning him The James Beard Foundation’s “Best Chef-New York” Award. Soon after, The New York Times awarded Colicchio’s Craft with three stars, deeming the restaurant “a vision of food heaven.” Craft was awarded The James Beard Foundation Award for “Best New Restaurant” in 2002. That same year, Tom received The Bon Appétit American Food and Entertaining Award for “Chef of the Year.” The New York Times revisited Craft in September 2011, ten years after its debut, upholding its three stars and stating that the restaurant is “as magical and delicious as it was when it opened.”
Since 2006, Colicchio has been applying his experience and expertise to cable television as the head judge on Bravo’s hit reality cooking series Top Chef. The Emmy-winning show is currently in its 18th season. Tom appears in and serves as Executive Producer on A Place at the Table, Participant Media’s documentary about food and security in America which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He has published four cookbooks to date. His latest, Why I Cook, is also a memoir of his outstanding career. Tom and his restaurants give back to the community by supporting charities including Children of Bellevue, City Harvest, Alex’s Lemonade Foundation, United Way of New York, and Food Bank for New York City.
David Chang
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Momofuku and Majordomo Media founder David Chang has been named one of “the most influential people of the 21st century” by Esquire, received 6 James Beard Awards, was recognized as GQ’s Man of the Year, and is a TIME 100 honoree. He is the creator of Ugly Delicious on Netflix and Secret Chef on Hulu, as well as a culinary contributor to Amazon’s Thursday Night Football. He is the host of The Dave Chang Show and Recipe Club podcasts. His cookbooks Momofuku and Cooking At Home as well as his memoir Eat A Peach are all New York Times bestsellers.
Chang is an engaging speaker known for his insightful discussions about entrepreneurship, food sustainability, and kitchen innovation. Chang’s straightforward and often humorous delivery makes his presentations both informative and entertaining.
Alex Guarnaschelli
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Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli is a world-renowned chef and one of Food Network’s top stars. Guarnaschelli first appeared on the network in 2006 and has since been part of hundreds of episodes of programming on the network, including as a judge on Chopped, co-host of The Kitchen, host of Supermarket Stakeout, and star of Alex vs America. As a competitor, she beat nine rival chefs to win The Next Iron Chef: Redemption, joining the ranks of Kitchen Stadium Iron Chefs. She also hosts the award-winning digital series, Fix Me a Plate, and is the author of the cookbooks Old-School Comfort Food: The Way I Learned to Cook (2013), The Home Cook: Recipes to Know by Heart (2017), and most recently Cook with Me: 150 Recipes for the Home Cook (2020).
Guarnaschelli attended La Varenne Culinary School in Burgundy, France and began her international culinary journey training in Paris and New York with some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs including Guy Savoy and Daniel Boulud. In 2003, Guarnaschelli was given the opportunity to expand her repertoire and become the executive chef at Butter in New York City, where she has since created her own eclectic American and green-market inspired menu. In sought-after keynotes and live demonstrations, Guarnaschelli provides lessons from a life steeped in culinary education and adventure, her own travels, and experiences as a mother and in world-renowned kitchens.
Guarnaschelli is regularty a guest on national television shows such as Today, Good Morning America and Live with Kelly & Ryan and has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and Food & Wine. A popular mainstay on social media and Head of Twitter’s Food Council, Guarnaschelli also premiered her one-woman live comedy show Busting My Chops at Caroline’s on Broadway. A passionate and dynamic speaker, Guarnaschelli enjoys serving as an emcee and provides engaging cooking demonstrations to the delight of audiences.
Marcus Samuelsson
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Acclaimed chef, restaurateur, New York Times bestselling author, and beloved TV host Marcus Samuelsson inspires audiences with his powerful storytelling and engaging cooking demos. Samuelsson is the chef behind many renowned restaurants worldwide, including Red Rooster Harlem, Red Rooster Shoreditch, and Marcus B&P. Samuelsson was the youngest person ever to receive a three-star review from The New York Times. He has won eight James Beard Foundation Awards and was the guest chef for the Obama Administration’s first state dinner. Samuelsson is also the author of multiple books including the New York Times bestselling memoir Yes, Chef – which The New York Times called “one of the great culinary stories of our time,” Make It Messy, The Red Rooster Cookbook, and his latest groundbreaking cookbook The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food. Through his insightful conversations and thoroughly delightful live demos, Samuelsson offers uplifting, entertaining, and though-provoking experiences that resonate with audiences of all kinds.
Samuelsson was crowned champion of the TV shows Top Chef Masters and Chopped All-Stars, and served as a mentor on ABC’s The Taste. His PBS series No Passport Required celebrates the wide-ranging diversity of immigrant traditions and cuisine woven into American food and culture. A committed philanthropist, he co-produces the annual week-long festival Harlem EatUp!, which celebrates the food, art, and culture of Harlem. Samuelsson serves as a UNICEF Ambassador, a member of the U.S. State Department’s Chef Corps, and as the co-chairman for the organization Careers Through Culinary Arts Program. He was selected as a guest chef at the White House under the Obama Administration, where he planned and executed the administration’s first state dinner honoring Prime Minister Singh of India. For his sought-after programs, Samuelsson receives consistent rave reviews: ”Wow! You were utterly amazing. Added such depth and perspective. We can't thank you enough! Hope you'll join another at some point in the future” (Crain’s New York Business) and ”Marcus was thoughtful, personable, and left us wanting more!” (Kraft Heinz Company)
Guy Fieri
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Chef, restaurateur, and Emmy Award-winning television host Guy Fieri is one of the world’s most recognizable, influential culinary stars. Fieri began his culinary career selling soft pretzels from a three-wheeled bicycle and washing dishes in local restaurants in his early teens. In 2006, Guy won the television competition Next Food Network Star and has been a nonstop presence on the network ever since. With a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he is best known as the “Mayor of Flavortown” and face of Food Network favorites Diners, Drive Ins & Dives, Guy’s Grocery Games, and Tournament of Champions. His thriving brand empire has grown to include over 80 restaurants worldwide, a 175-location food delivery service, and a diverse portfolio of brands. Fieri’s cultural and culinary preeminence brings a unique star power fueled by his electric personality to all of his endeavors.
Fieri’s enthusiasm for food is matched only by his passion for helping others. He founded the Guy Fieri Foundation to support culinary education as well as provide financial resources to aspiring chefs and feeds frontline workers, first responders, and military personnel. He has been invited by Morgan Stanley, the Foodservice Equipment Distributor’s Association, and more to speak on his many personal and business endeavors. Fieri’s events ignite and inspire any audience with his infectious energy and passion.
Bill Yosses
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William “Bill” Yosses is the founder of Kitchen Garden Laboratory and most recently served as the White House Executive Pastry Chef under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack H. Obama. With his insider’s perspective, he magically intertwines highly entertaining anecdotes about his time at the White House under two administrations — one Republican, one Democrat — with a discussion about how understanding the food we eat on a molecular and atomic level can help create a Food Literate America. Today, Yosses continues to serve as an official American “culinary diplomat” as part of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Culinary Partnerships. The program elevates the role of culinary engagement in America’s formal and public diplomacy efforts, both abroad and in the U.S.
Bobby Flay
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Award-winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and media personality Bobby Flay offers high-energy, dynamic insights on business success, perseverance, food and lifestyle, and balancing the many flavors in our work and lives.
The first chef to ever receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Bobby Flay is behind famed restaurants in New York City, Las Vegas and beyond, such as Gato, Amalfi, Bobby Flay Steak, and Bar Americain. He also several outposts of his fast-casual concept, Bobby’s Burgers, across the United States. He's the author of 16 best-selling cookbooks, an Emmy award-winning star of countless Food Network programs, and both a James Beard and Rising Star of the Year Award-winner.
A powerhouse in the kitchen, on-screen, and at events, Bobby has been sought-out to speak (and do cooking presentations) everywhere from Google to The New York Times. He leaves audiences energized and empowered to improve the way they live and work.
Pepper Teigen
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TV Personality and New York Times bestselling cookbook author Pepper Teigen has become America’s most well-known Thai mom and Yai (grandma). Lovingly known as “Pepper Thai” for her love of spicy chiles, she is the host of the Food Network and Discovery Plus show, Getting Spicy with Pepper Teigen. Her passion for food goes back to her childhood growing up in the small town of Isaan in Thailand, where her first job was cooking and selling coconut pancakes to commuters each day before school. When Pepper married Chrissy’s dad, she moved to America and helped him operate a bar he owned in Washington, where she cooked food with Thai flavors for the bar patrons. She became an expert at improvising with American ingredients when Thai ones, like green papaya and Thai basil, were hard to find. She not only kept her love of Thai food and traditions alive — even in the small towns where she lived in Idaho, Utah and Washington — but also used food to introduce her daughters, Chrissy and Tina, to her Thai culture.
Pepper is widely featured on Chrissy’s Instagram and on the Cravings’ website, where she shares her cooking tips and Thai recipes as part of her popular “Pepper’s Corner” video series. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Pepper Thai Cookbook. Teigen’s interactive cooking demonstrations make for memorable events that appeal to audiences of all kinds. Attendees cook along with Pepper as she shares her journey and recipes with wit and wisdom.
Alexis deBoschnek
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Alexis deBoschnek is host of Chef Out of Water and a recipe developer based in the Catskills in upstate New York. Before going freelance, she was the Senior Test Kitchen Manager at BuzzFeed's Tasty, where her show, Chef Out of Water, went viral multiple times. She has contributed recipes to Food52, The Kitchn, Chowhound, and Tasting Table. Her first cookbook, To the Last Bite, published by Simon & Schuster, was named one of the most anticipated new cookbooks by TIME, Thrillist, Book Riot, and more.
Dr. Jessica B. Harris
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Dr. Jessica B. Harris is one of the ranking authorities on the culture, cuisine, and community of the African Diaspora. Her New York Times bestselling cookbook, High on the Hog, winner of 2 NAACP Image Awards, was the basis for the acclaimed Peabody Award-winning Netflix series of the same name. Dr. Harris led the Culinary Institute of America’s African Diaspora Foodways Initiative, conceptualized the award-winning cafeteria of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture, and served as lead curator for the exhibit African/American: Making the Nation’s Table presented by New York’s Museum of Food and Drink. Dr. Harris was a professor at Queens College/CUNY in New York for five decades and is currently professor emerita at that institution while consulting internationally. Dr. Harris’s unique depth of expertise and brilliant intellect inspire every audience member’s thirst for knowledge.
Dr. Harris’s work has been honored with the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award, and her books were inducted into the James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame. She was named to the TIME Most Influential People list and is the winner of the 2023 IACP Award for Culinary History. As a speaker, Dr. Harris has been sought by Sysco, Rutgers University, Adobe, and more.
Eden Grinshpan
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Chef, funny mom, and Host of Top Chef Canada Eden Grinshpan is the author of Eating Out Loud: Bold Middle Eastern Flavors for All Day Every Day. With her relatable, sincere, and humorous personality, Eden is loved for her approachable cooking and entertaining videos. While pregnant with her daughter, Eden created a viral social media trend by posing with outrageous food stacked on her baby belly. She became an advocate for women, mothers, and breastfeeding, posting multiple videos of dancing while pumping breast milk. Eden has built a strong connection with her dedicated followers through her positive, inclusive, and high-energy approach, spreading joy and laughter while showcasing delicious food and fun lifestyle content.
Eden has been featured on the Forbes' "30 Under 30" List, and has been highlighted by various media outlets, including Elle, Cosmopolitan, Cherry Bombe, parents.com, Glamour, The Daily Mail, and many others. She has cooked in restaurants across Europe, India, Southeast Asia, and Israel, and co-founded DEZ – a Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant in the heart of NYC, inspired by her Israeli heritage. Her debut cookbook, Eating Out Loud, is an Editor’s Pick on Amazon and was named one of the best cookbooks of the year by Delish and Library Journal. Eden is currently working on her second cookbook, set to release in the Spring of 2025.
Martina McBride
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Multiple Grammy® nominee Martina McBride has sold over 23M albums to date, which includes 20 Top 10 singles and six #1 hits.
Martina McBride has earned more than 15 major music awards, including four wins for Female Vocalist of the Year from the Country Music Association and won three Academy of Country Music for Top Female Vocalist. Martina has been awarded 14 Gold Records. Nine Platinum honors, three Double Platinum Records, and two Triple Platinum Awards. Martina was awarded the Covenant House Beacon of Hope Award and Music Business Association’s prestigious 2015 Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic efforts on behalf of domestic violence. In 2019 Martina was honored with the Cliffie Stone Icon Award at the ACM Honors event for her impactful contributions to country music. Martina has released two cookbooks – the first, Around the Table, a full-color illustrated collection of her favorite recipes, hosting tips, practical menu planning advice, and themed décor inspiration. She released her second book, Martina’s Kitchen Mix: My Recipe Playlist for Real Life, in October 2018. In 2021 Martina unveiled her first exhibit in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, titled “The Power of Her Voice”. In 2021 Martina also released “Martina McBride – Greatest Hits: The RCA Years”, a double LP vinyl package, with a color variant exclusively at Walmart.
When Martina isn’t in the studio, she focuses her time on charitable causes dear to her heart through her Team Music Is Love charity initiative.
McBride resides in Nashville with her husband, John, and their three daughters. You can keep up with her on Facebook, as well as Twitter and Instagram. For tour dates, please visit her website.
Andrew Rea
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Andrew Rea is the creator and star of the hit YouTube show, Binging with Babish, one of the most popular web-based cooking shows of all time. Rea is one part chef, one part filmmaker, and a generous dash of irreverent YouTube personality. His passion for teaching and experimenting in the kitchen is rivaled only by his love of film and television, both of which he endeavors to share from his New York City kitchen.
Growing rapidly in under a decade, Rea’s work has expanded into the Babish Culinary Universe, with New York Times bestselling cookbooks such as Basics with Babish, a culinary-themed vacation rental called Bed & Babish, and many more exciting projects that make food accessible and fun. Live engagements with Rea are hilarious, inspiring, and heartwarming; audiences leave ready to follow their dreams.
Jen Hatmaker
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New York Times bestselling author, award-winning podcaster, and community creator Jen Hatmaker inspires audiences to show up genuinely for their own lives – and believes this will change the world. Jen is the author of 14 books including the NYT bestsellers For the Love, Of Mess and Moxie, and Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire. Her latest book, Feed These People: Slam Dunk Recipes for Your Crew, is jam-packed with easy recipes, big flavors, and Southern wit. Jen is the founder and delighted curator of the Jen Hatmaker Book Club, host of the award-winning For the Love podcast, and she leads a tightly knit online community where she reaches millions of people each week.
A highly sought-after motivational speaker, Jen shares uplifting messages about leadership, well-being, authenticity, and finding yourself that resonate with an audience of millions.
Alton Brown
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Peabody Award-winning cook, bestselling author, filmmaker, and TV personality Alton Brown is the beloved host of culinary classic shows like Iron Chef America and Cutthroat Kitchen. He created, wrote, and hosted Good Eats as a leader of the first Food Network generation, revolutionizing culinary programming. The king of culinary competitions will return to Netflix’s reboot Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend. Brown is known for numerous bestselling cookbooks, including I’m Just Here for the Food, Alton Brown: EveryDayCook, as well as his Good Eats series – the fourth installment Good Eats: The Final Years became an instant New York Times bestseller. A consummate showman, Brown has created elaborate cooking and musical variety shows like The Edible Inevitable Tour, Eat Your Science, and most recently Beyond the Eats, playing sold-out tours nationwide. Inspired by both the science and the heart of good cooking, Brown’s programs are informative, endlessly entertaining, and customized to make a major impact with audiences of all kinds.
Andrew Zimmern
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Emmy and four-time James Beard Award winner Andrew Zimmern is a TV/Media personality, chef, writer, and passionate global citizen. As the creator, executive producer and host of the Bizarre Foods franchise, Andrew Zimmern’s Driven by Food, What’s Eating America, Emmy-nominated Family Dinner, Wild Game Kitchen and the Emmy-winning The Zimmern List, he has devoted his life to exploring and promoting cultural acceptance, tolerance and understanding through food. You can also find him judging Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend on Netflix, The Silos Baking Competition on HBO Max and mentoring young chefs on Food Network’s All Star Academy. Later this year, he will premiere Andrew Zimmern’s Field to Fire. He has written four books, including the Ippy Gold Medal award-winning AZ and the Lost City of Ophir.
Zimmern is the founder and CEO of Intuitive Content, an award-winning production company that has been named a Realscreen, and Passport Hospitality, a restaurant and food service development company. As a philanthropist, Zimmern is a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nation’s World Food Programme, International Rescue Committee, and The Nature Conservancy. He also sits on the board of several prominent foundations including EXPLR Media and The Giving Kitchen. Zimmern uses his platform to fight against global hunger, food waste, and for sustainable systems to help our planet survive and flourish. He is the co-founder of the Independent Restaurant Association and the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture and the Independent Restaurant Coalition. He is a special advisor to the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream.
Zimmern has spoken at Google, The Near Future Conference, SXSW, the TIME 100, The Welcome Conference, and many more on the intersections of food, culture, and the future. As one of AdWeek’s “50 Most Influential Voices in Food,” and one of Fast Company’s “Top 30,” Zimmern is well positioned to analyze trends, educate audiences, and tell fascinating stories about his personal journey of resilience, and how food connects to the global community.
He is highly sought after for his unique and entertaining approaches to both lighthearted and serious topics.
Geoffrey Zakarian
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World renowned chef and restaurateur, notable TV personality, podcaster, and bestselling author Geoffrey Zakarian has been sharing his sophisticated taste and signature style for three decades. An accomplished chef, host, and culinary consultant, Zakarian has presided over some of the country’s top kitchens, traveling the world for new inspiration to marry with his classical training and techniques in a lifelong effort to deliver paramount hospitality experiences. Outside of the kitchen, he is known as a fan-favorite judge on Food Network’s Chopped, a winner of The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs, and host of the Emmy-nominated talk show The Kitchen, Top 5 Restaurants, Cooks vs. Cons, and his new show Big Restaurant Bet. Whether it’s an inspiring moderated conversation, a world-class cooking demo, or skilled moderating, Zakarian makes a memorable impact with audiences of all kinds.
Zakarian has been featured in The New York Times, Entrepreneur, and many more, and has appeared on ABC’s The Chew and The Rachael Ray Show, CBS’s The Dish, and NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, TODAY, and Late Night with Seth Meyers. He is the author of My Perfect Pantry, Geoffrey Zakarian's Town/Country, among others, and he hosts the acclaimed Four Courses with Geoffrey Zakarian podcast. Zakarian is a dedicated philanthropist, and serves as the Chairman of the City Harvest Food Council, a food rescue organization dedicated to fighting hunger in New York City.
Gail Simmons
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Gail Simmons is a trained culinary expert, food writer, and dynamic television personality. Since the show’s inception in 2006, she has lent her extensive expertise as a permanent judge on Bravo’s Emmy-winning series Top Chef. Now entering its 21st successful season, Top Chef is rated the #1 food show on cable television. She was most recently co-host of The Good Dish, and was formerly host of Top Chef Amateurs, as well as Iron Chef Canada. From 2004 to 2019, Gail served as special projects director at FOOD & WINE. Gail’s first cookbook, Bringing It Home: Favorite Recipes from a Life of Adventurous Eating, was released by Grand Central Publishing in October 2017. Her first book, a memoir titled Talking With My Mouth Full, was published by Hyperion in February 2012. Gail is the co-founder of Bumble Pie Productions and sits on the board of several other nonprofit organizations including Children in Conflict, City Harvest and Hot Bread Kitchen.
Simmons' background in both media and culinary spaces affords her the fantastic rhetorical skill of a food writer paired with the expertise of a head chef, making for educational, enriching live engagements. She makes frequent television appearances on NBC’s TODAY, ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS’s The View, and the Tamron Hall Show, among others. She has been featured in publications such as People, New York magazine, Women’s Health, Travel + Leisure, GQ, Entertainment Weekly, US Weekly, Los Angeles Times, and was named the #1 Reality TV Judge in America by the New York Post. She has received the Award of Excellence by Spoons Across America, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating children about the benefits of healthy eating.
Eitan Bernath
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Culinary personality, entrepreneur, and Gen Z social media influencer Eitan Bernath is best known for his viral cooking videos on social media showcasing his captivating presentation style. The multifaceted entertainer debuted on the first ever kid’s episode of the Food Network’s Chopped and has since amassed 6M+ followers across his social media empire. Bernath is also the Principal Culinary Contributor for The Drew Barrymore Show on CBS as the first TikTok star to expand into a recurring role on daytime television. His popular debut cookbook, Eitan Eats The World: New Comfort Classics to Cook Right Now, built on his work as a contributor to The Washington Post, Food & Wine, Saveur, and Delish. Eitan helps audiences of all kinds lean into what makes them unique, identify their passion, and leave them with the tools and inspiration to pursue their goals.
A pioneer in digital media and content development, Eitan Bernath is the CEO of Eitan Productions, the eponymous entertainment studio overseeing his media ventures. Heralded as a master of quick-cut content, he has been profiled by nearly every prominent media outlet in the country including Vanity Fair, Forbes, and more. His brand partners include Walmart, PayPal, Whole Foods Market, DoorDash, Spotify, TikTok, and KitchenAid. With his entertaining delivery across platforms, Bernath can connect to any audience that likes to eat. Tastewise's CMO, Jacques Botbol, described his keynote speech at the Tastewise Generative AI Food Pioneer’s Summit as “a masterpiece of adaptability, charisma, and professionalism that left an indelible mark.”
Tiffani Thiessen
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Famed actress and author Tiffani Thiessen got her breakout as America’s Sweetheart Kelly Kapowski on the hit NBS series Saved by The Bell. She catapulted to stardom appearing in over 400+ episodes of television spanning a career from 1989 to present. She starred in the USA hit series White Collar for six seasons, with the show earning 11 awards nominations. Most recently, Tiffani starred in the Netflix series Alexa & Katie, earning a coveted Daytime Emmy Nomination for her role.
As an innovator and entrepreneur, Tiffani channeled her love for cooking by creating and hosting the hit series Dinner at Tiffani’s. The series ran for three seasons on the Food Network, finishing every year as "one of the most watched shows on the network." Tiffani currently hosts MTV’s viral sensation Deliciousness, which recently premiered its third season. She is the author of the critically acclaimed cookbook Pull Up A Chair, which Publisher’s Weekly called “inspiring” and “a celebration.” Her highly anticipated follow up Here We Go Again, exploring the magic of leftovers, will be published on September 26, accompanied by a national media rollout.
As an artist and influencer, Thiessen has also successfully participated in campaigns for various Fortune 500 brands such as: GLAD, Hershey’s, Quaker, 3M, Albertson’s, Carnival Cruise, Coke, Crest, H&M, Heinz, and Nokia. Tiffani is a warm and engaging speaker, delighting audiences with her insights in keynotes and moderated conversations.
Serena Poon
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Serena Poon, CN, CHC, CHN is a globally recognized longevity expert and entrepreneur who has run successful businesses for over two decades in the wellness and longevity spaces. She is the CEO of Serena Loves LLC, a lifestyle brand and wellness product company, founder of Just Add Water®, a line of super nutrient foods and supplements, and President and co-founder of Fully Aligned Co. LLC, a company focused on services and consumer products in the longevity space.
Serena is known for her method of Culinary Alchemy®, a combination of education, integrative nutrition and healing energy. In 2022, she co-founded Fully Aligned Co, LLC with Dr. David Sinclair, a conscious company backed by research, with the intentions of “Bridging the Science and Soul of Well-being™." She sits on the advisory boards of EdenRoc Sciences, Delavie Sciences, and Ziva Health and has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, Elle, The Wall Street Journal, TODAY, The New York Times, Health Magazine, The Doctors, and NBC and is a regular health and wellness contributor on KTLA News.
Stephanie Izard
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Award-winning chef Stephanie Izard is a pioneer in her field. Chef Izard is the first woman to win the title of Top Chef, an Iron Chef champion, and the Executive Chef and Owner of five Chicago restaurants (Girl & the Goat, Little Goat, Duck Duck Goat, and Cabra), the bakery Sugargoat, and two Los Angeles restaurants *Girl & the Goat LA and Cabra LA). She has authored two cookbooks: Gather & Graze and Girl in the Kitchen. Izard also created a retail product line called “This Little Goat,” consisting of globally inspired cooking sauces, spice mixes, and crunches for home cooks. Izard jumped back into television in 2023 with the release of The Curious Chef, a Tastemade television series where she visits home cooks to get a taste of their time-honored recipes and traditions, alongside numerous appearances, as both a competitor and a judge, on shows including Tournament of Champions, Hell’s Kitchen, Superchef: Grudge Match, Guy’s Grocery Games, Chopped, and more.
Izard speaks on her experiences of passion, craft, and finding her to the top of a notoriously difficult industry. An inspiration not only to aspiring culinary professionals but anyone looking to break glass ceilings and fulfill their potential, Izard’s grit is a motivational force electrifying audiences nationwide.
Chrissy Teigen
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New York Times #1 bestselling author, Cravings founder, and TV personality Chrissy Teigen is an enduring icon in American food and culture. Her first cookbook, Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want To Eat, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and the first cookbook to debut at #1 on USA Today’s bestseller list. Teigen’s highly anticipated second cookbook, Cravings: Hungry for More, launched alongside her kitchen and tabletop collection, Cravings by Chrissy Teigen. Teigen’s third cookbook Cravings: All Together: Recipes to Love was an instant New York Times bestseller. Previously a judge on NBC’s comedy competition show Bring the Funny and co-host of Paramount’s Lip Sync Battle, Teigen is an entertainment tycoon. She is the founder of Huntley Productions, through which she executive produced Roku’s Chrissy’s Court, HBO Max’s The Way Down, and Fries! The Movie, a documentary which premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival. Teigen was named to the Variety500 list as an influential business leader for her work with Cravings and Huntley Productions. Teigen shares insights from her multi-faceted career with humor and authenticity.
Beyond her iconic persona and warm presence, Teigen is engaged in active work uplifting communities. She has been a voice for social justice and women’s rights and is actively involved in several charities. In 2018, Teigen was awarded the “Heart of the City” award by City Harvest, a non-profit food rescue organization, for her fundraising efforts. Teigen once helped raise $1M for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in just two days. Teigen has been listed as one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People,” as well as The Hollywood Reporter’s “20 Most Powerful Players in Food Media.” Teigen’s breadth of achievements inspires any audience, connecting with her warm energy.
Matty Matheson
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Internationally recognized chef, TV personality, author, and entrepreneur Matty Matheson has been breaking barriers since his cooking debut back in 2003. He has authored back-to-back New York Times bestselling cookbooks, Matty Matheson: A Cookbook and Home Style Cookery. After achieving fame as host of the cooking shows Dead Set on Life and It's Suppertime! on Viceland, Matheson decided to launch his self-produced, wildly successful YouTube series Just A Dash. A celebrity chef for the digital age, Matty has cemented his place as a heavyweight in the YouTube ecosystem, amassing over 100M views. Whether he’s engaging your audience in a captivating fireside chat, or leading the audience through a high-energy cooking demo, Matheson generates buzz and brings positivity, humor, and cogent business advice to every event.
In addition to five highly successful restaurants, Matheson has leveraged his brand awareness into partnerships with RVCA, cookware manufacturer Castor Design, food company McCain Canada, and launched Rosa Rugosa – a clothing line centered around durable, well-fitted, and Canadian-made workwear. Matty also played a major role in the hit FX series The Bear – serving as co-producer, culinary lead, and playing a small roll not as a chef, but a beleaguered handyman. A recent New York Times profile described Matheson as “an irresistible – and unexpected – celebrity” and Fast Company’s glowing profile was titled “How Matty Matheson is not-so-quietly building the indie food-media empire we all need.” In high-octane motivational events, Matheson shares his insights which represent a case study in discipline, brand-awareness, and impeccable entrepreneurial instincts.
Michael Symon
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Growing up in a Mediterranean & Eastern European family, Cleveland native Michael Symon creates boldly flavored, deeply satisfying dishes that not only reflect his heritage but the city he was raised in. Lola, Mabel’s BBQ, Roast, Bar Symon, Angeline, and B Spot Burgers are all wonderful examples of not only how Symon was raised but how food shaped him. Since being named a Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine in 1998, Symon and his restaurants have been awarded numerous honors. Symon has won The James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef.
Symon also shares his exuberant, approachable cooking style and infectious laugh with viewers as an Iron Chef on the Food Network, Burgers, Brew, & ‘Que, and as ABC’s Resident Chef. Symon was the first chef ever to host the annual Farm Aid benefit concert. He is also a former co-host of the Emmy-winning TV show, The Chew. Symon is the author of six award winning cookbooks, four of which have landed on The New York Times bestseller list. Symon’s live conversations are infused with humor, inspiration, and practical insights which make him an ideal choice for events focused on leadership, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence.
Sam Kass
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Nutrition expert, author, and entrepreneur Sam Kass served as the Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition in the Obama administration, Executive Director of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” Campaign, and the Obama family chef. Following his time at the White House, Kass has continued to innovate in the nutrition and wellness spaces as an entrepreneur. He founded TROVE, a strategy firm focused on working with corporations who are serious about transforming our health, climate, and planet through food, and is a partner in Acre Venture Partners, a capital fund investing in the future of food with a mission to improve human and environmental health in the food system. Kass shares his passion for health, disruptive investing strategies, and overall sustainability in invigorating keynotes and conversations.
Kass is a James Beard Leadership Award Winner, one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People,” and author of Eat a Little Better: Great Flavor, Good Health, Better World. The World Economic Forum named him to its 2017 Class of Young Global Leaders, recognizing people “pushing boundaries and rethinking the world around them.” Kass is a sought-after speaker offering leading insights about health and sustainability.
Jeremy Fall
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Award-winning restaurateur and celebrity chef Jeremy Fall is an innovator across mediums and industries who is redefining what it means to be a “cultural icon.” The only child of a French Afro-Caribbean mother and a Tunisian Jewish father, he grew up in the restaurant business and opened five successful eateries by the time he was twenty-seven years old, including Nighthawk Breakfast Bar, Nighthawk AM, Easy’s, Tinfoil Liquor & Grocery, and Paperboy. By age twenty-nine, he was on Forbes’ “30 Under 30 List” and had sold his successful restaurant group. Credited as the first chef and restaurateur to sign with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, Fall recently coproduced and costarred in the Facebook Watch show Beats for Breakfast with singer-songwriter Miguel. Bringing together leading edge thinking from multiple industries, Fall’s insights have been sought after by groups including ZipRecruiter, Cameo, Apple, W3BX, NFTNYC, UCSB, Facebook, and more.
In addition, Fall is the creator of media company Probably Nothing, an online NFT education platform that aims to bridge the gap between metaverse-savvy early adopters and the masses. His project ‘golden egg club’ is at its core – an art collection featuring hand-drawn elements by Fall, which celebrates his career milestones and may expand to reflect future accomplishments. The collection will act as a private membership, providing a space for Fall to cook exclusive meals for the group, inspire creative collaborations, brand partnerships, and more. Fall and Probably Nothing have partnered with Warner Records on the launch of a Web3 record label, expanding Fall’s impact. When it comes to the Web3 space, Fall continues to act as a conduit for the dynamic conversations about how food, technology, and culture intersect now and in the next iteration of the future.
Dana Cowin
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Award-winning food and lifestyle tastemaker Dana Cowin is an innovator in media, food, and entrepreneurship. Her work spans advising creatives, founders and non-profits as well as creating editorial through podcasts, social, video, zines and books. For 21 years, she served as Editor in Chief of Food & Wine magazine and transformed the magazine into a must-read lifestyle publication and digital outlet. An influencer in the food world, she is a sought-after speaker on topics from trendspotting to lifestyle and motivation, leadership, and branding. And of course, good food! Cowin was the keynote speaker for the Bacardi Spirit Forward first national tour, a frequent judge on Top Chef and Beat Bobby Flay, presenter at TedXManhattan on food waste, interviewed experts at SXSW and Fast Company Innovation Festival, among many others.
Through her brand consulting work, Cowin advises growing companies on storytelling, food, PR, and marketing, lending her expertise to businesses such as Dig Food Group (where she was Chief Brand Advisor), to Neiman Marcus, to the Trust for Governors Island. She is an investor and advisor to startups in the culinary space, has a longstanding commitment to supporting opportunities for economic growth through culinary training. Cowin serves on the boards of Food Education Fund, Hot Bread Kitchen, and the Food Council of City Harvest. Cowin is host of Speaking Broadly, a podcast that features visionary women at the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and food. Inspired by their singular experiences, Cowin selected more than a dozen women to write their own stories in the first Speaking Broadly zine, published spring 2022, and developed the Giving Broadly project - a gift guide highlighting incredible products from women-owned brands.
Trisha Yearwood
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Award-winning country music star, actor, TV personality, chef, New York Times bestselling author, and entrepreneur Trisha Yearwood has been entertaining and inspiring audiences for decades. Yearwood made history as the first female country artist to have a debut single, ‘She’s In Love With The Boy’, reach #1 on music charts. She has been awarded numerous Grammy, CMA, and ACM Awards for countless multi-platinum albums, and continues to release new music that extends the legacy of her powerhouse voice to a new generation of fans. In addition to being a music icon, Yearwood hosts the Emmy Award-winning Food Network show Trisha’s Southern Kitchen as well as her Facebook Live pre-show T’s Coffee Talk. She has written three New York Times bestselling cookbooks, including Trisha’s Table, and launched a lifestyle brand as well as Trisha Yearwood’s Pet Collection, collaborating with Williams Sonoma on signature lines. Yearwood shares incomparable insights from her personal journey as a music icon, beloved chef, and entrepreneur with an open-heart, giving memorable keynotes and moderating meaningful conversations that are impactful for audiences of all kinds.
Kardea Brown
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Celebrated chef, author, and beloved TV personality Kardea Brown is a contemporary Southern cook who shares mouthwatering recipes and insights about cooking, culture, and coming together. She is the host of Food Network’s Delicious Miss Brown, her eponymous show, as well as Cupcake Championship and The Great Soul Food Cook-Off. Brown is of Gullah/Geechee descent, a term used to describe a distinct group of African Americans living in the coastal areas of South Carolina and Georgia who have managed to preserve much of their West African language, culture, and cuisine. Brown is the creator of the pop-up restaurant and social destination New Gullah Supper Club, where the menu pays homage to the dishes her grandmother and mother passed down to her.
Brown has appeared on Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped Junior, Cooks vs. Cons, Family Food Showdown, and Farmhouse Rules. She has released her first cookbook, The Way Home: A Celebration of Sea Islands Food and Family with over 100 Recipes, which is already the #1 New Release in Amazon’s ‘African Cooking, Food and Wine’ category and #1 in the ‘Soul Food Cooking, Food and Wine’ category. Brown’s engaging and interactive events are sought-after for memorable programming for audiences of all kinds.
Jeff Mauro
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Emmy-Nominated Celebrity Chef Jeff Mauro was born and raised in Chicago where he was determined from an early age to become the funniest chef in the world. After years spent cooking in restaurants, graduating with honors from Culinary School, and performing on stage, he landed himself on Season 7 of the hit show Food Network Star. He ultimately won the competition by combining his passions for cooking with comedy and landed his own series, the Emmy-nominated Sandwich King. After five successful seasons to date, he was tapped by the Food Network to also co-host the hit daytime show, 4 time Emmy-nominated The Kitchen, now in it’s 28th season. His new Prime Time Game Show Kitchen Crash premiers in January and his long-awaited cookbook Come on Over releases April 13th.
Jeff is also the proud creator of Mauro Provision, a new brand providing the world with all the foods Jeff and his family grew up loving, eating and cooking. He has been a guest co-host of The Today Show and featured on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Steve Harvey, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Chopped, and Beat Bobby Flay among many others. He also hosts the hit weekly podcast Come on Over with his little sister Emily.
He still lives “in the same damn neighborhood he grew up in” with his wife Sarah, his son Lorenzo & their two dogs JoJo & Pinot G. His favorite color is Pastrami and his favorite smell is meat smoke.
Scott Conant
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Chef, cookbook author and TV personality Scott Conant brings a deft touch and unwavering passion to creating culinary experiences with thoughtful hospitality and soulful cuisine. He is the chef and owner of The Americano, Mora Italian and Cellaio. Conant has published three cookbooks, including the acclaimed Bold Italian, and is a regular judge on Food Network’s Chopped, host of the spinoff series Chopped Sweets, and frequent co-host on Beat Bobby Flay.
Melissa King
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Trailblazing chef, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Melissa King is a proud Chinese American and queer chef who is also a creative entrepreneur outside of the kitchen. King (she/they) is the winner of Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars: Los Angeles (Season 17) and the winner of All-Star’s Fan Favorite. With more challenge wins than any other competitor in the history of Top Chef, King has gone on to serve as a culinary judge on the series as well as The Food Network’s The Julia Child Challenge. Known for her technical precision and ability to blend modern California cuisine with Asian flavors, King has helmed several Michelin starred kitchens in San Francisco and has cooked for notable figures such as Oprah Winfrey and Al Gore, and curated the menu for the 2022 Met Gala alongside Anna Wintour. Called on as a creative consultant for companies around the world, Chef King is a sought-after motivational speaker supporting women’s empowerment, sustainability, food education, and entrepreneurship.
King has been recognized as “one of the best female chefs in San Francisco,” and was named FSR Magazine’s “40 Under 40: Rising Star.” They launched a company focused on partnerships and culinary experiences, as well as a brand of small-batched sauces called King Sauce, an apparel line, and virtual cooking classes. Chef King is passionate about cultural inclusivity, media representation, environmental sustainability, and social justice – working with groups such as Stop AAPI Hate, The Trevor Project, and World Central Kitchen, among others. She is the face of IBM Research’s “5 in 5” series, focused on five innovations that will change our lives within five years. King is a featured chef in the Williams-Sonoma’s Chefs’ Collective. They have performed at food & music festivals from Coachella, Outsidelands, BottleRock, and more, and spoken for groups including Google, Facebook, Chase, and Capital One.
Emeril Lagasse
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Celebrity chef and cultural icon Emeril Lagasse is a beloved staple of American food culture. Lagasse has hosted more than 2,000 shows on the Food Network and was a food correspondent for ABC’s Good Morning America. He is the eponymous star of Amazon’s original series Eat the World with Emeril Lagasse, which received five daytime Emmy nominations and won the “Outstanding Culinary Program” category. Lagasse has appeared as a guest judge in five seasons of Bravo’s hit food series, Top Chef, and two seasons of Top Chef, Jr. Lagasse is the New York Times bestselling author of 19 cookbooks, including his most recent: Essential Emeril: Favorite Recipes and Hard-Won Wisdom from My Life in the Kitchen. Lagasse is the chef/proprietor of 9 restaurants. Lagasse’s unmatched culinary and media empire had endowed him with a wide breadth of stories, experiences, and dishes, entertaining any audience that loves to eat.
Outside of the kitchen, Lagasse is a profound philanthropist. In 2002, Lagasse established the Emeril Lagasse Foundation to support children’s educational programs that inspire and mentor young people through culinary arts, nutrition, healthy eating, and important life skills. To date, the Foundation has distributed over $18M in grants benefitting children’s charities in New Orleans, Las Vegas and on the Gulf Coast. Lagasse was named the “Humanitarian of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation. Lagasse is not only a business mastermind, but a kind, warm, and humble hospitality professional dedicated to providing the best possible experience to those around him.
Robert Irvine
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World-class chef and television host and author Robert Irvine is a dedicated advocate for veteran’s issues. A veteran of the British Royal Navy, Robert learned to cook for a huge numer of people under intense pressure. The experience served him well when he took the Food Network by storm with his first show, Dinner: Impossible. His hit show Restaurant: Impossible has filmed twenty one seasons and Robert is the author of four cookbooks. His most recent book, Overcoming Impossible: Learn to Lead, Build a Team, and Catapult Your Business to Success is a one-of-a-kind guide to achieving goals and finding success in business and in life.
In addition to being a world-class chef, business leader, and fitness authority, Robert seeks to inspire people to live better through all his endeavors. A tireless supporter of our veterans, he gives back to those who defend our freedoms. He created the Robert Irvine Foundation to support wounded servicemen and their families and he frequently tours with the USO, visiting our troops around the globe. For his efforts, he has been named an Honorary Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Navy and received the Medal of Honor Society’s Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment and the U.S. Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Award.
Buddy Valastro
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Celebrity baker from numerous hit TV shows and New York Times bestselling author Buddy Valastro is best known as the beloved Cake Boss. Buddy – a fourth-generation baker – learned the ins and outs of his family’s bakery working alongside his father, Buddy Sr. His incredible cakes and entrepreneurial spirit are showcased on his numerous shows, including Cake Boss – the #1 hit TLC series that skyrocketed him to international acclaim. An outrageously affable and uplifting speaker, Buddy is an audience favorite for his inspiring family-centered message, his light-hearted baking demos, and his impeccable business insights.
Buddy is also the New York Times bestselling author of Cake Boss: Stories and Recipes from Mia Famiglia, Baking with the Cake Boss, Cooking Italian with the Cake Boss, and The Essential Cake Boss, and more – sharing his passion for food that brings families together to make lasting memories. From the beloved Hoboken bakery, Buddy and the famiglia have expanded the business to a 100,000 square foot baking facility, over a dozen bakeries in the U.S. and several more abroad, Buddy V’s – a string of Italian family restaurants, and 50 automated retail machines – offering 30-day shelf-life for a piece of cake. A world-renowned CEO, Buddy motivates audiences to embrace challenges, take innovation to the next level, and stay connected to purpose and passion.
Jessie James Decker
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Country music singer-songwriter, style entrepreneur, and TV personality Jessie James Decker is a New York Times bestselling author with over 7M social media followers. Signed to Warner Music Nashville, Jessie’s passion for music has made the multi-talented artist one of music’s true breakout firebrands. The singer’s authentic style immediately captivated listeners everywhere on her 2009 self-titled debut. She continued to keep it real with her second studio album, 2017’s Southern Girl City Lights, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Jessie is a four-time host of Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve, Presenter at the American Music Awards 2022, and beloved contestant on Dancing with the Stars.
Decker is the Founder and Designer of Kittenish – a playful fashion line inspired by her personal style. Decker and her brand were profiled in Forbes, which raved: “country star Jessie James Decker was born to hustle.” The multi-hyphenate is also a multi-time New York Times bestselling author. Decker’s first book, Just Jessie, is her guide to love, life, family, and food. In Just Feed Me, Jessie shares her favorite recipes of her family – her husband, retired NFL player Eric Decker, their three children, and now a fourth one on the way. Jessie’s newest cookbook Just Eat is set to release Fall of 2023. An unstoppable force of talent and energy, Decker’s fans love to connect with Jessie through her brands, music, and in unforgettable events.