About
The Chef Conference engages global hospitality professionals in meaningful dialogue on the most important topics guiding the future of the restaurant industry.
The Chef Conference platform offers safe, diverse, and inclusive spaces for the restaurant community to gather, engage in meaningful discourse, share best practices, and foster long-lasting relationships through open dialogue.
All the while, the conference aims to uplift its host city, Philadelphia, by offering consumers unrivaled dining experiences in Philly’s best restaurants through collaboration with top chefs from around the world.
FOUNDER &
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORMike Traud
Mike Traud, JD, Ed.D., MBA is the Founder/Executive Director of The Chef Conference. Traud has long had a passion for the restaurant industry, leading him through careers as an attorney, chef, and educator. Traud cooked in the kitchens of Osteria, Vetri, and Zeppoli before transitioning to education teaching Hospitality Law. During his career in education, Traud was the chair and founder of The Philly Chef Conference (2013-2023) and associated events which brought together industry and education and hosted such restaurant industry luminaries as Massimo Bottura, Mashama Bailey, and Will Guidara as well as the elite food journalists, James Beard Award winners, Food & Wine Best New Chefs and top hospitality professionals.