2025 Chef Action Summit
Sun, April 6, 2025
Registration On-Site Opens 4:00 PM
Renaissance Asheville Downtown
31 Woodfin Street
Asheville, NC 28801
Free Admission
$0
The 2025 Chef Action Summit is designed to equip chefs, restaurateurs, food system and industry leaders with the knowledge and tools to navigate the evolving political and economic landscape. The program features a series of keynotes, panels, and workshops covering critical topics such as the impact of climate change on the food industry, sustainable restaurant practices, and innovative business models. Attendees will hear from experts across the culinary, policy, and advocacy sectors on pressing legislative and operational priorities, including how to access state resources, support immigrant workers, and prepare for financial challenges in times of crisis.
The Summit also emphasizes advocacy and community-building, with dedicated sessions on planning effective campaigns, messaging, and storytelling to drive policy change. Chefs will have opportunities to develop strategies for engaging with policymakers and taking action at the local and state levels. Sessions will explore ways to foster a supportive workplace culture, redefine leadership in the restaurant industry, and build resilience against economic and environmental disruptions. The event concludes with hands-on group work, allowing participants to translate their insights into actionable solutions and develop a blueprint for local and state-based action.
This event is free to attend; attendees are responsible for their travel and accommodations.
Chefs and owners: members of your staff are welcome to attend with you. It is a great opportunity to expand the power of both your own voice and that of your team.
JBF reserves the right to decline registration of non-JBF program alumni if space becomes an issue. If you do not hear from us within five business days, your registration is good to go.
Event Details
Chef Action Summit
April 6-8, 2025
Asheville, NC
Registration and Programming (Sunday-Tuesday)
Renaissance Asheville Downtown Hotel
31 Woodfin Street, Asheville, NC
Grand Ballroom, Floor 1
Welcome Reception at Highland Brewing, presented by Explore Asheville
Sunday, April 6th
6:30-8:30 P.M.
Highland Brewing Company
12 Old Charlotte Highway #200, Asheville, NC
Networking Reception
Monday, April 7th
5:30-7:30 P.M.
Renaissance Asheville Downtown Hotel
31 Woodfin Street, Asheville, NC
Patio, Floor 1
Sunday, April 6
3:45-4:30 P.M. Registration
4:30-6:00 P.M. Welcome and Keynote
6:15 P.M. Transportation departs for Highland Brewing
6:30-8:30 P.M. Welcome Reception at Highland Brewing, presented by Explore Asheville
Monday, April 7
7:45-8:30 A.M. Breakfast
8:30 A.M. Programming Begins
12:30-1:15 P.M. Lunch
5:30 P.M. Programming Concludes
5:30-7:30 P.M. Networking Reception
Tuesday, April 8
8:00-8:30 A.M. Breakfast
8:30 A.M. Programming Begins
1:00 P.M. Programming Concludes
1:00 P.M. Lunch
1:30-3:00 P.M. Volunteer Opportunity with Riverlink [Transportation will be provided to and from the Renaissance Hotel to volunteer site locations]
Welcome Keynote: Why Restaurants Matter
Katie Button, Executive Chef and CEO, Katie Button Restaurant Group
Keynote: Making A Difference at the State Level
Leslie Herod, Colorado State Representative
Greetings From North Carolina Governor Josh Stein
The Economic Impact of Climate Change: Evidence from Fields to Kitchens
Sonya Coté, Owner and Executive Chef, Eden East Farm and Store House Market & Eatery
Emma Jagoz, Founder, Moon Valley Farm
Tara Scully, Director of Curriculum Development, Global Food Institute, George Washington University
How to Create a Sustainable and Local Food Community
William Dissen, Executive Chef and Co-Owner, The Market Place Restaurant
Molly Nicholie, Executive Director, ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project)
Hospitality and Care: Building New Models for Industry Resilience
Molly Irani, Co-Owner and Chief Hospitality Officer, Chai Pani Restaurant Group
Ashleigh Shanti, Chef and Owner, Good Hot Fish
David Viana, Executive Chef and Owner, Back and Forth Hospitality
Maximize the Power of Your Voice: How to Plan an Advocacy Campaign
Michael Amato, Founder, Amato Advisors
Karen Gasper, Founder, KSG Strategies
Patricia Griffin, Partner, NVG (moderator)
Advocacy at Work: A Chef Panel
Mary Sue Milliken, Chef and Owner, Mundo Management Group
Get to Work, Together: Regional Advocacy Planning Breakouts
Get to Work: Report Out
Asheville is easily accessible via several transportation options.
The closest airport to downtown Asheville is Asheville Regional Airport (AVL), located about 15 minutes south of the city. From AVL, you can reach the Renaissance Asheville Downtown hotel by taxi, rideshare (Uber or Lyft), or rental car.
Alternatively, you can fly into Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), about two hours away, or Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), about an hour and a half away. Both airports offer shuttle services, rental cars, and rideshare options to Asheville.
For those driving, Asheville is well-connected via I-40 and I-26.
Program Sponsors
Official James Beard Foundation Partners
