As this industry is always changing it is only appropriate that this years 2025 Conference theme is:

"The Need for Change"

We are looking forward to presenting ideas for you to consider for this ever- changing industry of culinary/baking/pastry arts programs.

CAFÉ will offer two events in 2025: 

June 23-24                        Deans and Directors Retreat

June 24-26                        Annual Leadership Conference 

In the spirit of this theme, CAFÉ is changing things as well. This year's Leadership Conference will have a new format for the Industry Outreach Day and the conference will end on a Thursday instead of Friday.

We are asking our sponsor speakers and panelists to focus on this theme with short panel presentations, followed by the ever-popular InfoFair where additional materials can be shared and ideas discussed.

Our educational best practices day will be high-level ideas and ways to execute these ideas, brought to you by professionals who are focused on the “the need for change.”

SAVE THE DATE and Register Today! The conference registration links are now active, click here. Register early and receive a discount!!

Our hotel is The Westin in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hotel information and registration link are now active. For more information, click here.

The CAFÉ conference each year tries to bring ideas and trends to foodservice instructors and deans and directors.

Mary Petersen
Executive Editor, Gold Medal Classroom
President, Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education

Call for Presenters/Presentations

CAFÉ devotes one day of its annual Leadership Conference to Educational Best Practices. These one-hour peer presentations are quite important and are very much appreciated by those in attendance.

The presentations will be on Thursday, June 26, 2025. We will be hosted by the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

What do we hope to get from a potential presenter?

An outline of something that you have introduced in your classes which could benefit culinary/baking/pastry/hospitality instructors in how they reach out and design and then develop the necessary guidance that students are looking for to be successful in the field they are studying.

Next year’s theme will be “The Need for Change.”

What have you done that you could pass on to other instructors…whether secondary or postsecondary applications?

We would like to hear from you: a title, a brief outline, and your contact details, including a short bio.

Please send your submissions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with "Educational Best Practices" in the subject line.

Deadline for submission is November 1. Presenters receive a $100 discount on their conference registration.

Thank you!