The 2024 Chef to Chef Conference organizers are thrilled to announce that Chef Sean Brock will highlight progressive kitchen culture and southern cuisine as the 2024 keynote speaker.
Celebrated for his culinary expertise, transformative approach to kitchen culture, and revolutionizing Southern cuisine, Brock is poised to deliver an electrifying presentation that promises to blend his deep respect for culinary traditions with innovative approaches to modern cooking and kitchen management. His address is expected to inspire, challenge and invigorate Chef to Chef attendees, setting a dynamic tone for the entire conference.
“Having Sean Brock as our keynote speaker is a testament to the evolving culture in professional kitchens,” says Michael Matarazzo, CEC, Executive Chef of Farmington Country Club in Charlottesville, Va., and one of the National Conference Coordinators for the Chef to Chef Conference. “His approach goes beyond cooking; it’s about building a community of respect, creativity, and collaboration. Chef Brock’s influence on kitchen culture has been as impactful as his culinary innovations—and we are excited to hear his insights.”
Joanna DeChellis, Director of Editorial and Programming for Club + Resort Chef and the Chef to Chef Conference, adds, “Chef Brock’s unique perspective on both the art of Southern cooking and the evolving dynamics within kitchen environments makes him an ideal keynote speaker for this year’s conference in Austin. His ability to weave together culinary excellence and the importance of culture in a professional kitchen aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire and educate club chefs.”
Raised in rural Virginia, Brock has been involved in the repatriation of the Southern pantry and cuisine for the past 20 years. For over a decade, he was the chef and partner of McCrady’s and McCrady’s Tavern in Charleston, South Carolina, and the founding chef of Husk Restaurants in Charleston, Nashville, and Savannah. In 2019, he laid down roots in Nashville to open four ambitious and unique restaurant and bar endeavors: Audrey, Bar Continental, Joyland, and June.
In 2010, Brock won the James Beard Award for Best Chef, Southeast, and is a four-time finalist for Outstanding Chef and a three-time finalist for Rising Star Chef. His first cookbook, Heritage, is a New York Times Bestseller and winner of the 2015 James Beard Award for American Cooking. Brock’s second book, SOUTH, was also a New York Times Best Seller and was nominated for a James Beard Award. Brock hosted season 2 of the Emmy Award-winning television show Mind of a Chef, produced by Anthony Bourdain. He was featured on season six of the popular Netflix show, Chef’s Table.
His keynote address promises to shed light on cultivating a thriving, inclusive, and progressive environment in professional club kitchens. His ethos of mentorship, collaboration, and continuous learning is perfectly in tune with the conference’s commitment to nurturing a supportive and innovative club culinary community.
In addition to Brock, the 2024 Chef to Chef Conference will feature a dynamic lineup of education sessions, cooking demonstrations, and networking opportunities to address the club culinary industry’s current landscape and future prospects. This is a prime opportunity for club culinary professionals to forge lasting connections and partnerships with colleagues from clubs across the country.
With Brock as the headliner, the 2024 Chef to Chef Conference is set to be an extraordinary convergence of culinary minds. Registration is now open, and due to the overwhelming excitement following Brock’s announcement, early booking is strongly recommended.
For more information and to secure your spot, please visit www.cheftochefconference.com. An early-bird discount is available for those registering by December 31st, 2023.
