Global Culinary Conference 2026
Schedule
Sun, 15 Feb, 2026 at 06:00 pm to Tue, 17 Feb, 2026 at 08:00 pm
UTC-06:00Location
Anderson Clarke Center | Houston, TX
About this Event
2026 Global Culinary Conference
Hosted by Feed the Soul Foundation
đź“Ť Anderson-Clarke Center at Rice University | Houston, Texas
đź“… 3 Days | Takeoff Welcome Dinner + 2 Days of Business Training
Get ready to BOOST and LAUNCH your culinary business at the 2026 Global Culinary Conference a powerful three-day, in-person experience designed for culinary entrepreneurs looking to elevate their operations and increase profitability. Hosted by the Feed the Soul Foundation, this conference delivers hands-on, practical training to help you grow or launch your culinary business with confidence and clarity.
We’ll kick off with the Takeoff Welcome Dinner, a lively evening of networking and celebration, followed by two full days of immersive learning at Rice University’s beautiful Anderson-Clarke Center.
What You Can Expect:
- Dynamic Keynote Speakers offering insight and inspiration
- Expert Panels discussing strategies for business growth
- Master Classes focused on sustainable culinary business operations
- Interactive Breakout Sessions for practical learning and collaboration
- A Guided Workbook to help shape and structure your business success
- Happy Hour Networking Events to build meaningful industry connections
- Complimentary Breakfast and Lunch provided daily
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, choose from the Boost Camp or LaunchPad training tracks tailored to meet you where you are in your business journey. Learn from top experts in the field as they share valuable insights on funding, staffing, marketing, and operations.
Who Should Attend?
Restaurant Owners, Food Truck Owners, Bakery Owners, Caterers, Private/Personal Chefs, Culinary Art College Students, Hospitality Management College Students, Future Culinary Business Owners, Industry Experts
The CPG Pitch Lab: Pitch Your Brand. Win a $1,000 Grant.
The CPG Pitch Lab is a pitch competition showcasing innovative food and beverage brands with strong potential demand in today’s marketplace. Selected founders will pitch live to industry leaders, distributors, and funders for a chance at large-scale distribution, strategic partnerships, growth capital, and a $1,000 grant.
More than a competition, it’s a launchpad. Gain visibility, expert feedback, and meaningful connections with the right people to scale or launch your Consumer Product Goods brand.
Submission Deadline: February 11, 2026
Hotel Special Rates
Check hotels below for special room rates for the Global Culinary Conference.
- InterContinental Houston, 6750 Main St., Houston, Texas 77030
- DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Medical Center Hotel & Suites, 6800 Main St. Houston, Texas 77030
All ticket sales are final.
Feed the Soul Foundation will not be issuing invitation letters to support visa applications to attend our 2026 Global Conference. We recommend that individuals outside the United States wishing to attend the conference utilize their passports for identification.
Check out a recap of past year's conference below:
Mon. Feb 16
đź•‘: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast & Registration
Info: Complimentary Breakfast Served
đź•‘: 08:45 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome Session
đź•‘: 09:00 AM - 09:45 AM
Pop-Up to Permanent : Growing Pop-Up into a Sustainable Brick-and-Mortar
Info: Growth Panel | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Growing Pains: From a Nashville Garage to a National Brand
Info: Keynote Session | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Doing Business with Sysco: How to Lower Food Costs and Reduce Waste
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
Info: Complimentary Lunch Served
đź•‘: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM
The Restaurant Profit Blueprint: Menu Engineering and Digital Traffic Secrets
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM
Franchising Models: Are you ready? Is it the right fit for your business?
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp
đź•‘: 01:20 PM - 02:10 PM
30/60/90 Restaurant Launch Playbook: Tips and Timelines to Open in 90 days
Info: Masterclass | Launchpad
đź•‘: 01:20 PM - 01:45 PM
Destination Dining: Preparing Your Business for High-Volume Tourism Moments
Info: Breakout Session | Boostcamp
đź•‘: 01:50 PM - 02:25 PM
Winning Institutional Food Contracts: Securing Procurement, Bids, and RFPs
Info: Breakout Session | Boostcamp
đź•‘: 02:35 PM - 03:15 PM
Contract-Ready Pitching: Capability Statements and Pitch Decks
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp
đź•‘: 02:35 PM - 03:15 PM
Navigating Business Financing: Banks, SBA Loans, and What to Avoid
Info: Masterclass | Launchpad
đź•‘: 03:15 PM - 03:30 PM
Snack Break
đź•‘: 03:30 PM - 04:15 PM
Certified for Growth: Turning Small Business Certifications into Opportunity
Info: English and Spanish Sessions Hosted | Breakout Session | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 03:30 PM - 04:15 PM
Beyond Sauces and Spices: Products That Fit Your Brand and Market
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp
đź•‘: 04:20 PM - 05:00 PM
Digital Advertising for Growth: Marketing Strategies That Drive Profit
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 04:20 PM - 05:00 PM
The Consumer Goods Pitch Lab: CPG Pitch Competition
Info: Pitch Competition | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Mid-Flight Supplier Showcase
Info: Happy Hour | Boostcamp | Launchpad
Tues. Feb 17
đź•‘: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast & Registration
Info: Complimentary Breakfast Served
đź•‘: 08:45 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome Session
đź•‘: 09:00 AM - 09:45 AM
Operating in Challenging Times: Knowing when to Pivot
Info: Growth Panel | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 10:00 AM - 10:45 PM
Smart Insurance Decisions: Commercial Insurance for Culinary Businesses
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 11:00 AM - 11:50 PM
Breaking the Mold: Redefining Fine Dining with Fusion and Soul
Info: Keynote Session | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
đź•‘: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Pouring into Yourself First: Managing Stress and Health
Info: Growth Panel | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Strong Letters of Intent: Structuring Commercial Real Estate Agreements
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 01:50 PM - 02:40 PM
The Business of Catering: Profitable Pricing and Operational Planning
Info: Breakout Session | Bootcamp
đź•‘: 01:50 PM - 02:40 PM
Customer Experience Training: Driving Satisfaction and Revenue
Info: Breakout Session | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM
Leveraging AI and Automation: Reducing Costs and Improving Efficiency
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp
đź•‘: 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM
Choosing The Right POS: Evaluating Long-Term Value
Info: Masterclass | Launchpad
đź•‘: 03:30 PM - 03:45 PM
Snack Break
đź•‘: 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM
Promotions That Pay Off: Profitable Promotions That Bring in New Customers
Info: Breakout Session | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM
Ready for New Talent? Recruiting, Onboarding, and Retaining Employees
Info: Breakout Session | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 04:20 PM - 05:00 PM
Wellness on the Menu: Profitable Plant-Based and Healthy Options
Info: Growth Panel | Boostcamp | Launchpad
đź•‘: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
The Final Landing Happy Hour
Info: Happy Hour | Boostcamp | Launchpad
Where is it happening?
Anderson Clarke Center, 6100 Main Street, Houston, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 135.23 to USD 321.96
