Agenda
October 20, 2025
Time and Participants are Subject to Change
9 - 9:45am
Breakfast and Registration
9:45 - 10am
Opening Remarks: Aaron Ginsberg, Resy
Michael Traud, The Chef Assembly
10 - 10:45am
Cuisines, Culture and Authenticity
Moderator: Chris Ying
Panelists: Roni Mazumdar, Rosio Sanchez, and Yia Vang
11 - 11:45am
ICE and the LA Food Culture Moderator
Moderator: Gustavo Arellano
Panelists: Bill Esparza, Brittney Valles
Boardroom Sessions
Helbraun Levey
David Helbraun and Joseph Levey, “The New York Restaurant Playbook: A Cheat Code for LA Chefs”
11:45 - 12:45pm
Lunch
12:45 - 1:30pm
Trailblazer Talk
Jeff Gordinier with Daniel Patterson and Dominique Crenn
1:45 - 2:30pm
Hot Topics: LA Edition
Moderator: Hillary Dixler
Panelists: Ken Concepcion, Keith Corbin, Jenn Harris, Khushbu Shah
Boardroom Sessions
Southern Smoke Foundation
Lindsey Brown, Chris Shepherd and Patricia Yabu, “Supporting Your Staff”
2:30 - 3pm
Dessert and
Coffee Break
3 - 3:45pm
Trailblazer Talk
Lyndsay Green with Tejal Rao
OS Benefits
Hospitality at Work: Building a Business That Lasts Beyond Tomorrow
Margins are thin, challenges are constant, and yet hospitality continues to reinvent itself. This panel explores what operators need to survive and thrive right now: balancing rising costs, staffing pressures, compliance demands, and, of course, AI & automation in your business. Leaders will share candid strategies for building businesses that can weather today’s realities while preparing for what’s next in LA and beyond.
4 - 4:45pm
The Future of Beverage
Moderator: Prairie Rose
Panelists: Arjav Ezekiel, Andre Mack, and Max Reis
4:45pm
Closing Remarks/Reception