CAFÉ Update April 7, 2026
06 April 2026
The day will open with a keynote by Dean Martinus, President of Restaurant Associates – Catering Division,
“Driving Growth Through Acquisition, Diversification, and Tech”
He will share his background, discuss the strategy behind the Restaurant Associates acquisition, highlight the diversification of catering businesses, and connect technology from both operational and social media perspectives.
Throughout the day, educators will then participate in a combination of breakout sessions, a panel and our InfoFair along with our scavenger hunt.
Breakout Session 1 (choose one):
- “Culinary Medicine” presented by Chef Barbara Kamp MS, RDN, Certified Culinary Medicine Professional
- “Digital Multifunctional Kitchens – LIVE Learning Lab” Charting the new “basic skills”. … Aprons provided. presented by Daniel Lessem, RATIONAL
- Partnerships with Industry Panel – Moderator: Michael Carmel
Lunch - Italian Experience
Panel Discussion: Alternative Training Models
InfoFair / Scavenger Hunt
Breakout Session 2 (choose one):
- “Prevention Prevents Detection: Proactive and Practical Strategies for Managing Generative AI in the Culinary Classroom and Kitchen” presented by: Chef Tom DeRosa, MBA CEC, Johnson & Wales University
- “The Influencer’s Secret Sauce: Serving Up Social Media Skills for Culinary Educators” presented by Christine Duke, Kendall College
- “Teaching with AI: Adopting AI Assisted Assignments in the Classroom” presented by: Chef David Ludwig CEPC, CHE, Anne Arundel Community College
We look forward to welcoming educators to the Industry Outreach Day in Chicago for a day of practical insights, innovation, and collaboration.
Mary Petersen
Executive Editor, Gold Medal Classroom
President, Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education
2026 Conference Information
Master Class Information – Chocolate and Pizza
The hotel accommodations is the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. We will be in walking distance (0.7 mi) to the S. Michigan Avenue campus of Kendall College.
The Hotel is located in a perfect area to explore and enjoy Chicago and its riverfront, great restaurants, outdoor art and more!
For hotel registration information, click here.
2026 CAFÉ Awards Deadline Extended
The 2026 CAFÉ Awards deadline has been extended to April 15th due to additonal awards catagories.
To view all awards go to cafemeetingplace.com/scholarship-awards.
2026 Educator of the Year Award (Secondary & Postsecondary)
2026 Student of the Year Award
You may nominate a fellow teacher or yourself. Previous applicants and winners are eligible to apply, but you must submit an application to be considered.
Also, if you know a culinary/hospitality student that would like a wonderful opportunity, the Idaho Potato Commission will be offering their 4th annual Student of the Year Award. Encourage them to apply.
Deadline extended for all applications: April 15, 2026
2026 Conference Countdown: Partner Spotlights
More Partner Spotlights coming soon! We’re proud to collaborate with this exceptional group of sponsors who make our conferences truly possible.
Watch the 2026 Conference “Meet Our Partner” videos on our YouTube channel: @Cafemeetingplace
Have you checked out CAFÉ Talks Podcast?
Our host, Paul Sorgule has spearheaded this podcast and has done a wonderful job. He has interviewed over 100 of the most influential people in education, culinary classrooms, the foodservice industry, leadership, innovation, culinary history, and management – there is something for everyone to relish and use.
Have you thought about integrating the CAFÉ Talks Podcast into your student curriculum for an assignment? Have you thought "I really wish I could remember which podcast pertained to a certain subject?"
Paul Sorgule, has created an organized chart that demonstrates where each interview might apply in your classrooms as assignments or a point of reference for faculty.
Click here to download your copy of the chart.
We could not have produced this podcast series if it wasn't for our sponsors who we thank very much for their continued support of CAFÉ.
For our complete lineup of podcast or to subscribe, go to www.CafeMeetingPlace.com/cafe-podcasts.
For video peeks of our launched episodes, go to our Facebook page, CafeMeetingPlace.
CAFÉ CONTACT INFORMATION
Mary Petersen, President, CAFÉ; Executive Editor, The Gold Medal Classroom
(410) 268-5542 (office)
(443) 994-8228 (cell)
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Lisa Parrish, Editor, The Gold Medal Classroom
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Mary Young, Administrative Assistant
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Paul Sorgule, Host, CAFETalks Podcast
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