After the Chef to Chef Conference ends, I exhale deeply to collect and ready myself for the onslaught of new ideas and content that inevitably follows. The ideas are bountiful this year, and I’m eager to share some good ones. 

First and foremost, I am delighted to announce that Amber Dobsovic has been named National Sales Manager for Club + Resort Chef. She will add C+RC to her media brand portfolio, which includes other titles in our Retail, Hospitality and Foodservice Network like FSR, QSR and CStore Decisions. 

Amber’s culinary background makes her uniquely suited for our industry. As National Sales Manager and Director of Strategic Partnerships, she will seek to sync synergies for advertisers, sponsors and partners between Club + Resort Chef and the brands she has represented for over a decade. Please join me in welcoming her to our community, and if you see her at the National Restaurant Association Show, say hello.

In addition to welcoming Amber, we have big plans for our Master Class series. Born during the pandemic, this series has evolved and expanded with each new season. This year, we’re taking it to the next level by filming three chefs demoing their dishes in a live version, set in a club kitchen. Our talented video team will edit and package these classes for you to enjoy and learn from.

I’m also excited to share that we recorded most of the sessions at Chef to Chef, which will be available exclusively to Club + Resort Chef Association (CRCA) members. If you haven’t already, join the association at association.clubandresortchef.com to access this exclusive content.

But that’s not all! We’re also working on launching two certifications through CRCA: the Certified Club Culinary Director (CCCD) and the Certified Executive Club Chef (CECC). More information on these certifications will be coming soon.

And for the first time ever, we’ll conduct a salary survey and share the findings in our November issue. This is a critical topic often overlooked in our industry, and we’re excited to shed some light on it.

There’s more coming, including new events and ways to connect. I hope you left Miami feeling as energized and excited about the months between the 2023 Chef to Chef Conference and the 2024 Chef to Chef Conference as I did.

P.S. I have one more announcement: By popular demand, we will continue to film Auto-Fire videos, where I ask club chefs five random questions that usually make both of us laugh. (Let’s face it; laughter is good after a long day in the kitchen.) If you want to participate in Auto-Fire—or you have ideas to share about content we should develop—reach out.