About this Event
2026 Global Culinary Conference
Hosted by Feed the Soul Foundation
📍 Anderson-Clarke Center at Rice University | Houston, Texas
📅 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
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast & Registration
Info: Complimentary Breakfast Served
🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome Session
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:45 AM
Pop-Up to Permanent : Growing Pop-Up into a Sustainable Brick-and-Mortar
Info: Growth Panel | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Growing Pains: From a Nashville Garage to a National Brand
Info: Keynote Session | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Doing Business with Sysco: How to Lower Food Costs and Reduce Waste
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
Info: Complimentary Lunch Served
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM
The Restaurant Profit Blueprint: Menu Engineering and Digital Traffic Secrets
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM
Franchising Models: Are you ready? Is it the right fit for your business?
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp
🕑: 01:20 PM - 02:10 PM
30/60/90 Restaurant Launch Playbook: Tips and Timelines to Open in 90 days
Info: Masterclass | Launchpad
🕑: 01:20 PM - 01:45 PM
Destination Dining: Preparing Your Business for High-Volume Tourism Moments
Info: Breakout Session | Boostcamp
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:25 PM
Winning Institutional Food Contracts: Securing Procurement, Bids, and RFPs
Info: Breakout Session | Boostcamp
🕑: 02:35 PM - 03:15 PM
Contract-Ready Pitching: Capability Statements and Pitch Decks
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp
🕑: 02:35 PM - 03:15 PM
Navigating Business Financing: Banks, SBA Loans, and What to Avoid
Info: Masterclass | Launchpad
🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:30 PM
Snack Break
🕑: 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
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:15 PM
Beyond Sauces and Spices: Products That Fit Your Brand and Market
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp
🕑: 04:20 PM - 05:00 PM
Digital Advertising for Growth: Marketing Strategies That Drive Profit
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 04:20 PM - 05:00 PM
The Consumer Goods Pitch Lab: CPG Pitch Competition
Info: Pitch Competition | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Mid-Flight Supplier Showcase
Info: Happy Hour | Boostcamp | Launchpad
Tues. Feb 17
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast & Registration
Info: Complimentary Breakfast Served
🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome Session
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:45 AM
Operating in Challenging Times: Knowing when to Pivot
Info: Growth Panel | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:45 PM
Smart Insurance Decisions: Commercial Insurance for Culinary Businesses
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:50 PM
Breaking the Mold: Redefining Fine Dining with Fusion and Soul
Info: Keynote Session | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Pouring into Yourself First: Managing Stress and Health
Info: Growth Panel | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Strong Letters of Intent: Structuring Commercial Real Estate Agreements
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:40 PM
The Business of Catering: Profitable Pricing and Operational Planning
Info: Breakout Session | Bootcamp
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:40 PM
Customer Experience Training: Driving Satisfaction and Revenue
Info: Breakout Session | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM
Leveraging AI and Automation: Reducing Costs and Improving Efficiency
Info: Masterclass | Boostcamp
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM
Choosing The Right POS: Evaluating Long-Term Value
Info: Masterclass | Launchpad
🕑: 03:30 PM - 03:45 PM
Snack Break
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM
Promotions That Pay Off: Profitable Promotions That Bring in New Customers
Info: Breakout Session | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM
Ready for New Talent? Recruiting, Onboarding, and Retaining Employees
Info: Breakout Session | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 04:20 PM - 05:00 PM
Wellness on the Menu: Profitable Plant-Based and Healthy Options
Info: Growth Panel | Boostcamp | Launchpad
🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
The Final Landing Happy Hour
Info: Happy Hour | Boostcamp | Launchpad
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Anderson Clarke Center, 6100 Main Street, Houston, United States
USD 135.23 to USD 321.96
