The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show®, returning to Chicago’s McCormick Place May 17–20, 2025, announced today its highly anticipated lineup of celebrated chefs and leading beverage experts. Attendees will experience interactive culinary demonstrations, in-depth beverage sessions, and immersive tastings led by acclaimed industry leaders—including James Beard Award-winning chefs, Michelin-starred restaurateurs, and pioneering beverage specialists—highlighting the latest innovations driving menu creativity, streamlined operations, and enhanced profitability.
Centered around two dynamic Show-floor areas—The Culinary Experience and The Beverage Room—these sessions and demos will highlight culinary diversity and provide actionable insights on key trends, including globally inspired dishes, functional and zero-proof beverages, plant-based alternatives, and efficient kitchen strategies. Featured chefs will showcase a vibrant range of culinary traditions, from Korean, Mexican, and Thai cuisines to BBQ and Native American influences. These demonstrations will provide attendees with fresh inspiration to differentiate their offerings in today’s competitive dining landscape.
CHEFS ON WHY THE SHOW MATTERS NOW
Before taking the stage at The Culinary Experience, several featured chefs weighed in on what makes the Show a must-attend for operators—and where they see the foodservice industry heading next.
THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE: CHEF DEMOS AND TASTINGS
Located in the Lakeside Center Level 3 (Booth 12448), The Culinary Experience features an extensive schedule of live demonstrations, tastings, and book signings, allowing attendees to engage directly with chefs and explore new culinary inspirations. Highlights include:
Saturday, May 17
- Rick Bayless: Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur, Author, TV Personality (10:30–11:15 a.m.)*
- Nina Compton: Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur (12–12:45 p.m.)*
- Dominique Leach: Celebrated Pitmaster, Restaurateur (3–3:45 p.m.)
Sunday, May 18
- Pyet DeSpain: Indigenous Chef, Author, Next Level Chef Champion, Host (10–10:45 a.m.)
- Nyesha Arrington: Chef, Television Personality, Restaurateur (11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.)
- Dara Yu: Culinary Educator, Social Media Personality, Private Chef (3:15–4 p.m.)*
Monday, May 19
- FABI Favorites Demo featuring Becky Davis: Director of Culinary Innovation, Wendy’s, and 2025 FABI Judge (10–10:45 a.m.)
- Jet Tila: Chef, Restaurateur, Author, TV Personality (2–2:45 p.m.)* – Presented by CJ Schwan’s
- Menu Trends 2025 and Beyond: Wow Your Guests, Drive Your Business featuring industry experts Lizzy Freier and Donna Hood Crecca (3:15–4:15 p.m.)
Tuesday, May 20
- Eric Adjepong: Chef, Top Chef Alum, Food Network Host (10:30–11:15 a.m.)*
- Jonathon Sawyer: Award-Winning Chef, Restaurateur, Author, TV Personality (12–12:45 p.m.)*
A new feature this year, The Tasting Zone @ The Culinary Experience, will offer attendees the chance to sample dishes prepared live by prominent chefs and explore FABI award-winning products firsthand, enriching the experience for all in attendance and inspiring fresh ideas for foodservice success.
*Book signings will take place immediately following the select culinary demos.
The Culinary Experience is presented by title sponsor CJ Schwan’s, supporting sponsor Ingredion, and official equipment providers Atosa USA, Inc., Hobart, Tramontina, Southbend, and Traulsen.
THE BEVERAGE ROOM: SESSIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS
The Beverage Room, located in Lakeside Center Level 3, showcases leading mixologists, suppliers, innovative ingredients, and trending beverage products. Beverage experts will conduct live demonstrations and sessions on the Beverage Room Stage (Booth 11155) highlighting topics such as functional beverages, consumer-driven drink trends, profitable beverage training strategies, and emerging categories like botanical and savory cocktails. Session and demo highlights include:
Saturday, May 17
- What Consumers Really Want from Behind the Bar (10–10:45 a.m.)
- Dave Henkes: Senior Principal and Head of Strategic Partnerships at Technomic
- Julie Heseman: Director, Research & Insights at Technomic
- Botanical Beverages 101 (11:15–11:45 a.m.)
- Daniel Childs: Award-Winning Author, Founder at Slow Drinks Consulting
- Beyond the Buzz: Exploring the Exciting Frontier of Next-Gen Functional Ingredients (12:45–1:15 p.m.)
- Katie Thompson: Associate Account Director at Connections
- THC Beverages are Here to Stay. What to Know About the Emerging Category (2–2:30 p.m.) – Presented by Señorita
- Charles Bieler: Founder, Señorita / Owner & Winemaker, Bieler Family Wines
- Rick Schepp: General Manager, Beverages at Señorita
- Joel Gott: Founder, Señorita / Owner & Winemaker, Joel Gott Wines
- Behind the Curtain with Award-Winning The Violet Hour (3:30–4 p.m.)
- Karli Sandos: Bar Manager at The Violet Hour
Sunday, May 18
- Free-Spirited: The Modern NA/Low ABV Menu (11–11:30 a.m.)
- Casey Gamblin: Area Beverage Manager at Ithaka Hospitality Partners
- Jacob Hoop: Area Assistant Director, Food and Beverage at Ithaka Hospitality Partners
- Consistency in Every Cup: Simplifying Beverage Programs to Deliver on Speed and Quality (12–12:30 p.m.) – Presented by Finlays Solutions
- Don Noah: Senior Director – Food Service Sales, North America at Finlays Solutions
- Marisa Bouley: Finlays Solutions
- Emanuel (EJ) Sousa: Finlays Solutions
- Adult Beverage Trends Decoded: How to Choose What’s Right for Your Brand (3:30–4 p.m.)
- Graham Humphreys: CEO at The Culinary Edge
- Erica Holland-Toll: Culinary Director at The Culinary Edge
Monday, May 19
- Redefining Wine by the Glass: Maximize Profitability, Reduce Waste, and Improve Customer Experience (10–10:30 a.m.) – Presented by Coravin
- Greg Lambrecht: Founder & Inventor at Coravin
- Wine Sales Slump? Let’s Turn It Around (11–11:30 a.m.)
- Martin Beally: Master Sommelier & Beverage Director at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants
- Sip, Sell, Succeed: Optimizing Vendor Knowledge in Your Beverage Training (12–12:30 p.m.)
- Audrey Benet: Director of Training at GuestCounts Hospitality
- Profit with Purpose: Unlocking the Boom in the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market (2:30–3:15 p.m.)
- Daniel Childs: Award-Winning Author, Founder at Slow Drinks Consulting
- Beth Harbinson: Founder at Sobar
- Jerry Edwards: President and Corporate Chef at Chef’s Expressions Catering and Consulting
- The Art of Savory Cocktails (3:30–4:00 p.m.)
- Katie McCourt: 2024 Speed Rack Midwest Champ, Bartender at The Hoxton Hotel
Tuesday, May 20
- A Journey Through the Exciting World of Potable Bitters (11–11:30 a.m.)
- Danny Shapiro: Co-Founder at Scofflaw Group
- Unlocking the Flavors and Fun of Beer and Cider Cocktails (12–12:30 p.m.)
- Michelle Foik: Co-Owner at ERIS Brewery & Cider House
The Beverage Room Stage’s official glassware provider is Libbey.
Access to all demos and sessions in The Culinary Experience and The Beverage Room 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.
