PANELS
NEW THIS YEAr:
Aussie Meat Academy: A Chef’s Guide to Flavor, Cuts & Menu Potential
An Australian Red Meat Masterclass with Chefs Claudette Zepeda and Benjamin Udave
Join Chef Claudette Zepeda (San Diego) alongside Andy Groneman of Meat & Livestock Australia, with support from Chef Benjamin Udave (Think Culinary, Los Angeles), for a focused, flavor-first look at Aussie Beef & Lamb, built for working chefs. You’ll experience a side-by-side tasting of Australian grassfed beef, lamb and wagyu, simply prepared to showcase true flavor and quality.
Space is limited. Please email mlateam@summitmg.com regarding availability.
OpenTable Theater
HostED BY:
Kwini Reed, Leigh Davidson, Brad Metzger
10am – 11am
THE VOICE OF A CITY: The Life and Legacy of Jonathan Gold
Laurie Ochoa, Roy Choi , Nancy Silverton, Ludo Lefebvre, Evan Kleiman (moderator)
11:30am – 12:30pm
A Decade of Chef’s Table
David Gelb, Nancy Silverton, Sean Brock, Andrew Friedman (Moderator)
2:30pm – 3:30pm
THE GREEN MICHELIN STAR: Integrating Ecology Into The Menu
Alice Waters, Jordan Kahn, Ben Kephart (Moderator)
4pm – 5pm
LIGHTS, CAMERA, SERVICE: Balancing Celebrity and Operational Success
Michael Voltaggio, Jonathan Waxman, Drew Nieporent, Bricia Lopez, Mona Holmes (Moderator)
Blackbird Theater
HostED BY:
Jacqui Leanza and Paul Pruitt
10am – 11am
CRAFTING EXCELLENCE: How LA Has Raised The Bar
Tobin Shea, Courtney Kaplan, Austin Hennelly, Shawn Lickliter, Prairie Rose (Moderator)
Followed by a Special Mezcal Tasting by:
11:30am – 12:30pm
LIKES, LISTS & LOYALTY: Building a Restaurant Brand in Today’s Social Economy
Matthew Kang, Brant Cox, Joy Limanon, Hillary Eaton Verner, Luca Servodio (Moderator)
2:30pm – 3:30pm
CULINARY IDENTITY: Expressing Heritage and Culture Through a Modern Lens
Keith Corbin, Helene An, Avish Naran, Sandra Cordero, Matt Rodbard, Neal Fraser (Moderator)
4pm – 5pm
SHAPING THE FUTURE: LA’s Rising Stars
Lord Maynard Llera, Kat Turner, Melissa Lopez, BYRON LAZAROFF-PUCK, Shane Call (Moderator)
Slang Business Workshop
HostED BY:
Ally Barton and Raj Nallapothola
10:00am – 11:00AM
INDUSTRY IN CRISIS: HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD?
Jot Condie, Kevin Boehm, Traci park, BRITTNEY Valles, HEATHER SPERLING (MODERATOR)
Immigration / Labor Update by Angelo Amador, Senior VP, Legal Advocacy & Regulation, National Restaurant Association
Q & A session with the Panelists following this Session
11:30am – 12:30pm
PASSION < > PROFIT: The Intersection of Creativity and Business Sustainability
Suzanne Goin, Michael Mina, Josh Sharkey, Ryan Handel, Amy Guittard (Moderator)
2:30pm – 3:30pm
RETHINKING RESTAURANTS: New Ways, New Tech (AI & Robotics)
Douglas Keane, Mackenzie Hoffman, Saif Najam Khawaja, Anne McBride, BEN LEVENTHAL, BRAD Metzger (Moderator)
Followed by an AI / Robotics Q&A with Matt Newberg from:
4:00pm – 5:00pm
FROM CONCEPT TO CONCRETE: Location, Design, and Business Structure
Gay Harwin, Michael Benson, Lorena Tomb, Brad Block, Eddie NavarRette, Jeff Goodman (Moderator)
BOOK SIGNINGS
at
table
11am
Roy Choi
the choi of cooking
12:30pm
alice waters
A School Lunch Revolution
1:00pm
Drew Nieporent
I’m not trying to be difficult
1:30pm
Kevin Boehm
Bottomless Cup
3:30pm
Eric Wareheim
Steak House
