National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show Expert Lineup

12:00 am

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® has announced its lineup of chefs and beverage experts for the 2026 event, scheduled for May 16–19 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The Show brings together James Beard Award-winning chefs, Michelin-starred restaurateurs, and culinary TV personalities for immersive demonstrations, in-depth sessions, and exclusive tastings spotlighting the innovations and trends shaping menus and beverage programs worldwide.

Chefs, mixologists and leading adult beverage experts will demonstrate techniques and share insights on sustainable ingredients, global flavors, and versatile strategies to maximize profit margins at two Show-floor destinations: The Culinary Experience and The Beverage Room Stage. Spanning live demos, expert-led sessions, and exclusive tastings, the programming gives operators the tools to differentiate their offerings, enhance profitability, and deliver better value to guests.

Featured chefs, including Rick Bayless, Emmy-nominated host, Top Chef Masters alum, and Julia Child Award recipient, and Lamar Moore, 2025 James Beard Award finalist and one of Chicago’s prominent culinary voices, share what they are most looking forward to at this year’s Show.

The Culinary Experience

This year's lineup includes returning fan favorites Jet Tila and Sarah Grueneberg, joined by world-renowned chef, Leah Cohen, who is making her Show culinary demo debut this year, among other acclaimed chefs and culinary icons. Located in the Lakeside Center Level 3 (Booth 12448), The Culinary Experience features an engaging lineup of live demonstrations, dedicated tastings, and expert-led sessions. Select chefs will be available for book signings immediately following demos. Books will be available for purchase at each book signing (while supplies last) and at the Show Store located in the Grand Concourse Level 2.5. Highlights include:

Saturday, May 16

Rick Bayless: Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur, Author, TV Personality (10:30–11:15 a.m.)*

Farm to Table: Women Powering the Future of Food (12–12:45 p.m.)

  • Amanda Beal: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner & NASDA Board of Directors President
  • Meghan Diaz: Senior Director of Produce – Strategic Sourcing and Innovation at Sprouts Farmers Market
  • Tania C Harris: Chef and Owner at Azucar Skull 
  • Aida Mollenkamp: Chef, Author, Founder of Salt & Wind Travel
  • Megan Weeks: Senior Director of International Trade Programs at National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) 
  • Leah Cohen: Renowned Chef, Owner, TV Personality (3:15–4 p.m.) 

Sunday, May 17

Chris Cosentino: Celebrated Chef, Author, Cyclist, Philanthropist (10–10:45 a.m.) – Presented By: Waring Commercial Products

4 Disruptors Driving Menu Trends and Innovation (11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

  • Donna Hood Crecca: Principal at Technomic 
  • Lizzy Freier: Director, Menu Research & Insights at Technomic
  • Barton Seaver: Chef, Author, and Sustainability Advocate & Andrew Zimmern: Celebrated Chef, Television Host, and Award-Winning Author (3:15–4 p.m.)* 

Monday, May 18

Cooking Up Menu Magic with Award-Winning FABI Favorites (10–10:45 a.m.)

  • Jay Smith: Vice President of Culinary Research & Development, Wonder
  • Michael Mina: Chef, Founder & Executive Chairman of Mina Group (12–12:45 p.m.)*
  • Jet Tila: Chef, Restaurateur, Author, TV Personality (2–2:45 p.m.) – Presented By: CJ Schwan's
  • Sarah Grueneberg: Award-Winning Chef, TV Personality and Author (3:30–4:15 p.m.) – Presented By: The European Union

Tuesday, May 19

4 Disruptors Driving Menu Trends and Innovation (10:30–11:15 a.m.) 

  • Christine Clutter: Senior Research Analyst at Technomic
  • Lizzy Freier: Director, Menu Research & Insights at Technomic
  • Lamar Moore: Celebrated Chef, Owner and TV Personality (11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) 

The Tasting Zone @ The Culinary Experience, will give attendees the opportunity to sample dishes prepared live by prominent chefs and taste FABI awardee products first-hand, providing the complete sensory experience to attendees and inspiring fresh ideas for menu innovation.

*Book signings will take place immediately following the select culinary demos.

The Culinary Experience is presented by title sponsor CJ Schwan’s, and official equipment providers Atosa USA, Inc., Hobart, Southbend, Tramontina, Traulsen, Vitamix, and Wasserstrom. 

The Beverage Room

The Beverage Room, located in Lakeside Center Level 3, showcases leading adult beverage experts, mixologists, suppliers, and trending products to elevate adult beverage programs. Live demonstrations and sessions focused on business strategies and techniques are scheduled on the Beverage Room Stage (Booth 13955), with select sessions and demos offering product sampling to give attendees a first-hand look at the ingredients and beverages being discussed. Topics such as consumer-driven trends, strategies to drive sales, and emerging categories like boba and hemp beverages offer unique insights for attendees. Session and demo highlights include:

Saturday, May 16

Evoking Memory Through Cocktail Design Rooted in Cultural and Culinary Experiences (10:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m.)

  • Bismark Vega: Beverage Director at SuSu

Crafting Winning Drink Promotions (11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.)

  • David Henkes: Senior Principal and Head of Strategic Partnerships at Technomic
  • Julie Heseman: Director, Research & Insights at Technomic

Mise, Mix & Margin: A Bar Operator’s Blueprint for Revenue (1–1:30 p.m.)​​​​​​

  • Brian Duffy: Chef, Culinary and Hospitality Consultant, TV Personality

Popping Boba – For Adults Too! (2–2:30 p.m.) – Presented By: Firsd Tea 

  • Juan Galotti: Co-Founder at 5 Leaf Clover Gourmet
  • Dillon Holmes: Co-Founder at 5 Leaf Clover Gourmet

Beyond Food and Beverage: Turning Food, Drinks & Experiences into Profit and Community (3:30–4 p.m.)

  • Bradley Bolton: Director of Operations at Stories Coffee Company

Sunday, May 17

Beverage-Forward Menus: How Sips Are Steering Flavor Innovation (11–11:30 a.m.)

  • Suzy Badaracco: President at Culinary Tides Inc.

Slush Mixology: Frozen Cocktails and Coffee Drinks (2–2:30 p.m.) – Presented By: Frazil

  • Don Schneider: Director, Strategic Channels at Freezing Point LLC

Monday, May 18

Off-Flavor Beer Worries? We Have Solutions! (10:45–11:15 a.m.) 

  • Jason Pratt: Master Cicerone®, and the President/Owner of the Cicerone® Certification Program

Pouring Profits with Winning Draft Strategies (12–1:15 p.m.) – In Partnership with The Steel Keg Association and Keg Champion Awards

  • Sam Oches: Editor-in-Chief at Nation's Restaurant News & Restaurant Hospitality

Winning Adult Beverage Sales in 2026 (1:45–2:15 p.m.)

  • Marcus Merritt: Restaurant Consultant at Oliva Restaurant Group

Hemp Beverages: The Legal and Regulatory Landscape Today and the Road Ahead (2:45–3:15 p.m.)

  • Shawn Hauser: Partner at Vicente LLP

Craft Spirits on the Menu (3:30–4:00 p.m.)

  • Jeff Cioletti: Editor-in-Chief at CRAFT SPIRITS

Tuesday, May 19

Mix, Sip, Profit: The Power of Cocktail Experiences (11–11:30 a.m.)

  • Casey Sebring: Mixologist at Hummingbird Lounge

Fluid Motion: Smarter Bar Techniques and Design to Improve Efficiency and Execution (12–12:30 p.m.)

  • Graham Essex: Award-winning Bartender and Mixologist at Gibson’s Italia

Access to all demos and sessions in The Culinary Experience and The Beverage Room Stage is part of the on-floor programming available with a general Expo badge. Connect with the Show online on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for event updates.