Sign up now for the June 2024 CAFÉ Deans and Directors Retreat and Leadership Conference in San Antonio, Texas, at St. Phillips College June 19-22. Both events are open to all culinary education leaders and instructors. Attendees have the option of attending one or both of these exciting events.

The 10th Annual Deans and Directors Retreat will encapsulate the theme “Innovate the Future.” It will begin with an informal meet and greet on the evening of June 18th at the Aztec Bar of the Drury Hotel. On June 19th, attendees will go to St. Phillips Campus where they will hear presenters and participate in discussions around how to innovate the future of culinary education. In the morning, Dr. Tim Dasey of Dasey Consulting will present the keynote. Dr. Jonathan Deutsch, professor and director of Drexel University’s Food Lab, will lead a panel on the topic of innovations and ideas. During lunch, Paul Sorgule, president of Harvest America and CAFÉ Gold Medal Classroom columnist and podcast host, will speak. The one-day event will close with roundtable, discussions, allowing colleagues time for collaboration and sharing. 

The cost for the Deans and Directors Retreat is $349, which includes breakfast at the hotel, transportation from the hotel to St. Phillips Campus, lunch, and an invitation to the opening night reception of the Leadership Conference on the evening of June 19th. CAFE members receive a $25 discount.

The 18th Annual Leadership Conference will kick off with Master Classes for Educators on June 19th. Attendees can select one of two classes for an additional $25. In one class, Guittard Chocolate’s Chef Josh Johnson will take participants through the steps to make creative dessert spreads. In the other, Chef Spencer Glenn, the Executive Chef of Pizza My Heart, will teach attendees about the fundamentals of pizza making. In the evening, the aforementioned opening night reception provides an opportunity for scintillating conversation between Deans and Directors and Leadership conference goers. Chefs from various sponsors will prepare delicious dishes to showcase their skills and ingredients. Leadership attendees will sign up for Break Out Sessions during the event. 

Industry Outreach Day continues the Leadership Conference on June 20th. Charles Carroll, Executive Chef at River Oaks Country Club will deliver a fascinating keynote, “Did You Try Unplugging?” Our supportive sponsors will prepare an InfoFair for educators. Following lunch, the first Break Out session will begin. Participants will attend a presentation on cutting-edge foodservice trends from either Guittard Chocolate, the Idaho Potato Commission, or the National Mango Board. The second Break Out session includes presentations from North Carolina Sweet Potatoes, the National Pork Board, or the National Watermelon Promotion Board. The third Break Out session boasts speakers from Real California Milk and Rational. 

The final day centers around Educational Best Practices on June 21^st. It will begin with the always informative Dr. Fred Mayo, former CAFÉ columnist and retired clinical professor of hotel and tourism management at New York University. Once again, attendees will attend three exciting Break Out sessions with presentations from experienced and groundbreaking educators to round out the Leadership Conference. 

The cost for the Leadership Conference is $449, with a $25 discount for CAFE members and a $100 discount for Texas High School teachers. Continuing Education Certificates will be distributed at the end of the conference on June 21st.

Participants can attend both the Deans and Directors Retreat and the Leadership Conference for $549.

Click here for the agenda, registration, pricing, and hotel details. CAFE looks forward to seeing you!