You’re Invited: The Art of Catering Food 2025You’re Invited: The Art of Catering Food 2025

Are you ready to be inspired? 

Catersource Conference & Tradeshow, in collaboration with the International Caterers Association, will once again be delivering Art of Catering Food, taking place February 23-24 at the Broward County Convention Center. 

Throughout Art of Catering Food, chefs can be found within the kitchen supporting and learning one another. Photo courtesy Dana Gibbons Photography/AGNYC Productions, Inc.

Focused through the lens of the catering chef, AOCF is a boutique event created by chefs for chefs, bringing 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: two high energy Lunch & Learns that pair culinary concepts with a solid learning experience plus networking, and a captivating keynote featuring multiple award-winning Chef Eric LeVine that will open your minds to how a positive mindset can transform you physically, mentally, and professionally. The growth of business, the balance of life, and the evolution of ones' self is necessary to achieve your goals.

Two tasty Lunch & Learns

Attendees to this year’s AOCF will have two Lunch & Learn opportunities. 

The first, Reimagining Southern Comfort: Innovative Twists on Soul Food Classics (presented by chefs Boris Seymore and Keyon Hammond), will take place on Sunday at noon. Focused on the latest innovations and trends in Southern comfort soul food, this lunch and learn will cover elevated ingredients, global influences, health consciousness, forgotten techniques and ingredients, sustainable sourcing and more. Learn and enjoy!

Chef Boris Seymore’s Sweet Potato Flan Brûlée (egg yolks, brown sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and sweet potato pie batter) served during AOCF 2024. Photo courtesy Dana Gibbons Photography/AGNYC Productions, Inc. 

The second Lunch & Learn, Taste of the CATIEs: An Award Winning Culinary Lunch & Learn (chefs Jay Varga, Jason Sutton, and AJ Harris), is on Monday at noon. This vibrant networking lunch will feature some of the winning catering companies and their dishes from the 2024 CATIE (Catered Arts Through Innovative Excellence) awards. Recipes will be provided for all the delicious tastes, including top hors d'oeuvre, short plate, entree, and dessert from catering companies such as The JDK Group and more.

Don’t miss either of this year’s Lunch & Learns! You’ll gain new knowledge while enjoying lunch with your colleagues.

Chef-driven sessions

AOCF’s chef-driven education program will focus on technique, problem solving, and unique ideas while helping attendees navigate new industry trends.

Maple-Cured, Sweetgrass Smoked Steelhead served over corn skillet cakes and Saskatoon Berry Salad from Art of Catering Food 2024. Photo courtesy Dana Gibbons Photography/AGNYC Productions, Inc. 

This year's sessions iniclude: Mastering Legume-cuterie: Plant-based BBQ with Higher ROI; Spice Beyond Curry: Unlocking the Secrets of Authentic Indian Cuisine with Chef Keith Sarasin; Creating Culinary Flavor Bombs in Bulk; Beautiful Stations for Catered Occasions; Exploring Canada's Bounty Beyond Poutine & Beaver Tails!; Reverse Engineering: Unraveling the Secret Structure of Wedding Cakes; A Deep Dive on Menu Development; Pickle Me This: Big Flavors in Your Culinary Arsenal, from Fermentation to Vinegar Classics; Achievable Sustainability Standards & Menu Creativity; and Let Them Eat Cake: 10 New Sweet & Savory Dessert Ideas. Many sessions include samples.

A captivating keynote 

With a career shaped by earning prestigious awards including Chef of the Year from The International Caterers Association, working alongside celebrity chefs like David Burke, and recognition from the James Beard Foundation, Chef Eric LeVine is a culinary powerhouse!

Chef Eric has made numerous repeat network appearances across Kelly Live, Fox and Friends NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox5, PIX11, and The Food Network where he became the 2011 Champion of Chopped, the network’s highest rated show and also appeared on Beat Bobby Flay, Alex vs. America and soon to be more!

Art of Catering Food 2025 keynote Chef Eric LeVine. Photo courtesy Chef Eric LeVine

Chef Eric believes that food speaks a universal language, and truly accomplished chefs are those aware of the styles from other cultures. Working with some of the best chefs from around the world, he learned how to finesse the romance of a dish and infuse passion and robust flavor into his cooking.

Join the award-winning chef who, after decades in the industry and with massive successes (and just as epic failures), will share in his keynote session how a positive mindset can transform you physically, mentally, and professionally. To Eric LeVine, the growth of business, the balance of life, and the evolution of ones'self is necessary to achieve your goals. A healthful sample from Chef Eric’s brand-new cookbook, Forkin’ Good, that punches his aesthetic home, will round out his keynote.

Not only is he a visionary chef and cookbook author, but also a passionate advocate for charity, supporting causes like Family reach, American Cancer Society (as a cancer survivor himself), Employment Horizons and Autism Speaks.

Wear it with pride

Attendees are encouraged to wear their chef coats: networking opportunities abound between sessions, during breaks, and at the Sunday afternoon happy hour—so wear your chef coat if you wish and show solidarity for your profession! 

Registration is open & waiting for you!

Quick! Head over to https://informaconnect.com/art-of-catering-food/ and get your ticket to Art of Catering Food. Over the course of two days, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with experienced catering chefs sharing new culinary techniques, the latest trending ingredients, food costing, and everything else you need to know to turn your menus into works of art.

Hotel and travel information can also be found via the navigation bar at the top of the screen.  

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