Clear Your Calendars for AOCF

When last we visited Art of Catering Food (AOCF), it was 2019 and we were in the beautiful city of New Orleans, LA on the cusp of Mardi Gras. AOCF 2020 was planned and set for August in Philadelphia…and then, whump. Well, we all know what happened next. But the best news of all is that AOCF is back and we are thrilled to again be partnering with the International Caterer’s Association to bring attendees a two-day intensive that focuses closely on catered events and the food and logistics it takes to make them so memorable. 

All the hallmarks of AOCF are in place: the quick burst Round Robins that keep attendees moving, tasting, and learning; the short chef-driven sessions that focus on technique, problem solving, and unique ideas; the tasty Lunch & Learn that pairs high culinary concepts with a solid learning experience plus networking; a venue tour, allowing you to see how a mega-caterer organizes and staffs its lead facility; and finally, a captivating keynote that will open your minds to ideas you may never have considered for your own kitchens. 

Meet Yia Vang, AOCF Keynote

One of seven siblings, Chef Yia Vang was born in a Thai refugee camp where he lived until his family resettled in central Wisconsin. A trained chef who started his career working as a dishwasher, Vang worked at many top restaurants in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area before starting Union Hmong Kitchen, which was nominated for a James Beard Award in 2022 and 2023 (Vang was also nominated for Best Chef—Midwest in 2022). Vang uses food to tell a story and believes that every dish has a narrative. Through sourcing what’s in season and combining local traditions with those from his family and cultural traditions, Vang brings Hmong flavors to American palates and invites people to change how they think about food by considering the influences in each bite. 

Vang is the host of Twin Cities Public Television’s Relish series and has been featured on National Geographic and CNN’s United Shades of America. Among other accolades, he was the cover story of the May 2020 issue of “Bon Appetit” magazine, competed on the Iron Chef reboot on the Food Network, and is the host of the new Outdoor Channel series, Feral, which debuted on November 28, 2022. 

Art of Catering Food is delighted to welcome Chef Vang to the stage on Monday morning, March 27.

Registration is open!

If you are reading this article prior to January 06, quick!, head over to https://informaconnect.com/art-of-catering-food/ and register now for the lowest prices available. After January 06, we start our Early Bird rate (still a great deal). Hotel and travel information can also be found via the navigation bar at the top of the screen.