Near the end of 2022, J. Kevin Walker, CMC, retired, and his Executive Sous Chef, Shannon Farmer, took his place as Ansley Golf Club’s Executive Chef. (Read more on this transition here.) At the 2024 Chef to Chef Conference, March 3-5 in Austin, Texas, the two will share their story—and the benefits of mentorship in its many forms.
The chefs will discuss how mentorship can nurture culinary skills and facilitate knowledge transfer, while reverse mentorship can keep tenured culinarians innovative and adaptable. Both approaches will be emphasized as tools for building a culture of learning, fostering collaboration, and developing future culinary leaders within a club.
“Mentorship was a major component in my career,” says Farmer, “and I believe that, to keep the industry thriving with great people, it’s a must to keep cooks engaged.”
Kevin Walker, reflecting on the significance of mentorship and the Chef to Chef Conference, says, “The Chef to Chef Conference offers a unique platform where experienced club chefs and emerging talents can exchange ideas, challenges, and innovations. For me, mentorship is about fostering this exchange, ensuring that the wisdom of seasoned chefs blends with the fresh perspectives of new ones. This blend is essential for the industry’s growth and sustainability. Mentorship, in its essence, is about passing the torch while keeping the flame alive—ensuring that culinary traditions and innovations continue to evolve and inspire.”
In 2024, the Chef to Chef Conference heads to Austin, Texas, March 3-5. The 2024 agenda includes culinary demonstrations and education sessions by many of the industry’s best and brightest culinary leaders, plus networking and social events.
Chef to Chef is valuable because of the exposure it provides club culinary leaders, notes Farmer, “to see what other clubs and chefs are doing for events, techniques, or training.”
“It’s also good to know that you’re not alone,” she adds, “and the occasional struggle is shared [among] other clubs as well. … I’m looking forward to [both] the education and the opportunity to expand my networking circle.”
Space is limited, so reserve your spot early. Register at www.cheftochefconference.com.
