2025 Chef Action Summit Speakers and Programming

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The James Beard Foundation announces the speakers and programming for its biennial Chef Action Summit. The inspiring conference—now in its third iteration—will take place in Asheville, N.C., from April 6-8, 2025. Over the course of three days, some of the nation’s best chefs, advocates, and industry leaders will gather to learn how to use their voices, skills, and platforms to create lasting change in their kitchens and beyond. 

The Chef Action Summit is a transformative event that equips chefs, restaurateurs, food system and industry leaders with the knowledge and tools to navigate the evolving political and economic landscape. Through this initiative, the Foundation harnesses the collective power of chefs and food leaders to drive impact towards a more equitable, sustainable and thriving food future for all. 

The program features a series of keynotes, panels, and workshops covering critical topics such as the economic impact of climate change on the food industry, sustainable restaurant practices, tariffs, and innovative business models—some of the top issues impacting independent restaurants as recently reported by the Foundation’s 2025 Independent Restaurant Industry Report. Attendees will hear from speakers across the culinary, policy, and advocacy sectors about urgent legislative and operational priorities including how to access state resources, support immigrant workers, and prepare for financial challenges in times of crisis. 

Highlights of speakers include: 

  • Katie Button, Executive Chef and CEO, Katie Button Restaurant Group

  • William Dissen, Executive Chef and Owner, The Market Place Restaurant

  • Meherwan Irani, Executive Chef and Owner, Chai Pani Restaurant Group

  • Molly Irani, Co-Founder and Chief Hospitality Officer, Chai Pani Restaurant Group

  • Cheetie Kumar, Chef and Owner, Ajja, Vice President and Board Member, Independent Restaurant Coalition 

  • Anthony Myint, Executive Director, Zero Foodprint; Co-founder, Mission Street Food, Mission Chinese Food, The Perennial 

  • Ellen Teller, Chief Government Affairs Officer, Food Research & Action Center (FRAC)

  • Ademola Oyefeso, International Vice President, Director of the Legislative and Political Action Department for United Food and Commercial Workers 

  • Michele Nischan, Co-Founder and Chairman, Wholesome Wave

  • Tara Scully, Associate Professor, Director of Sustainability Minor Program, George Washington University 

  • Emma Jagoz, Founder, Moon Valley Farm

Close to 300 attendees, including alumni from the Foundation’s flagship Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change and wider impact programs, James Beard Award- winning and -nominated talent, and industry leaders from across the nation will participate in advocacy and community-building focused sessions, including opportunities to develop strategies for engaging with policymakers and taking action at the state and local levels. The curated sessions will also explore ways to foster a supportive workplace culture, redefine leadership in the restaurant industry, and build resilience against economic and environmental disruptions. The Summit will conclude  with hands-on group work where attendees will  translate their insights into actionable solutions and develop blueprints for local and state-based action to drive policy change. The full list of speakers and programming can be found here. 

Asheville, celebrated for its rich culinary culture and independent restaurant scene, is home to over 20 James Beard Award-winning and -nominated chefs and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s global climate database. The city’s unique blend of culinary excellence and climate expertise makes it the ideal host for the summit. 

Admission to the Chef Action Summit is free.and Attendees are required to register individually online. Programming will begin on Sunday, April 6 at 4:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Asheville Downtown (31 Woodfin Street, Asheville, NC 28801). 

To learn more about the 2025 Chef Action Summit or obtain more details about the finalized programming and speakers of the event, visit https://www.jamesbeard.org/events/2025-chef-action-summit.