13 Aug TOP 50 FOOD AND BEVERAGE SPEAKERS: KEYNOTE EXPERTS FOR EVENTS
The Top 50 food and beverage speakers who keynote and futurist consulting experts observe that the industry is constantly evolving—prompted by innovation, sustainability, changing consumer preferences, and technology. As a result, today’s Top 50 food and beverage speakers have become essential for helping brands, companies, and professionals tackle the dynamic culinary and hospitality market. Futurist consultants and thought leaders come from differing backgrounds: restaurant executives, chefs, futurists, entrepreneurs, and wellness advocates.
Among the most notable Top 50 food and beverage speakers list names is Scott Steinberg, a globally recognized business strategist and futurist. As a consultant for over 2500 brands, his perspectives into consumer behavior, innovation, and industry disruption have made him a favorite at conferences and hospitality summits worldwide.
Joining him on the Top 50 food and beverage speakers roster are top management pros and leading executives from iconic food chains who’ve transformed the way we eat and experience:
Scott Steinberg – Visionary Top 50 food and beverage speakers futurist guiding brands through innovation and future trends.
John Peyton – CEO, Dine Brands Global (Applebee’s & IHOP)
Tony Moralejo – President, Applebee’s
Kevin Hochman – CEO, Brinker International (Top 50 food and beverage speakers Chili’s & Maggiano’s)
Aaron White – COO & Chief People Officer, Brinker International
Dominique Bertolone – President, Maggiano’s Little Italy
Kelli Valade – CEO, Denny’s, Top 50 food and beverage speakers option
Frances Allen – President & CEO, Checkers & Rally’s
Damola Adamolekun – CEO, Red Lobster
Paul J. Brown – Former CEO, Top 50 food and beverage speakers, Arby’s
Brian Niccol – Former CEO, Chipotle & Taco Bell; now Starbucks
Zev Siegl – Co‑founder, Starbucks
Julia Stewart – Former CEO, IHOP & Applebee’s (Dine Brands)
Shelly Frank – Former CEO & Chairman, Chi‑Chi’s
Oscar Farinetti – Founder, Eataly
Cat Cora – Celebrity Chef & Restaurateur
Ayesha Curry – Restaurateur & Lifestyle Entrepreneur
Alice Waters – Pioneer of Farm‑to‑Table movement
Roy Choi – Street‑Food Innovator
Candace Nelson – Founder, Sprinkles & Pizzana
Bethenny Frankel – Founder, Skinnygirl (food lifestyle brand)
Jeff Henderson – Chef & Inspirational Speaker
Ryan Gromfin – “Restaurant Boss” coach
Taylor Tresatti – Food culture & Gen Z trends expert
Anna Lappé – Food systems educator & sustainability advocate
Amanda Freitag – TV Chef & Culinary Presenter
Carla Hall – Chef and TV personality
Julia Child – Culinary legend and educator
Gordon Ramsay – Influential global chef and restaurateur
Massimo Bottura – Renowned chef and restaurateur
Thomas Keller – Michelin-starred chef
David Chang – Founder of major restaurant groups
Ruth Reichl – Influential food critic and editor
Guy Fieri – Celebrity chef and TV host
Ina Garten – Cook and cookbook author
Peter Kump – Culinary educator and writer
Emeril Lagasse – Chef and restaurateur
José Andrés – Chef and humanitarian
Dominique Crenn – Top female chef and restaurateur
Thomas Sagan – International culinary leader
Magnus Nilsson – Nordic cuisine innovator
Nobu Matsuhisa – Founder of Nobu restaurants
Wolfgang Puck – Celebrity chef and restaurateur
Jonathan Waxman – Chef and restaurateur
Frank McClelland – Michelin‑starred chef
Rene Redzepi – Culinary visionary of Noma
Alton Brown – Food scientist & media personality
Anthony Bourdain (posthumous) – Iconic chef and storyteller
Grant Achatz – Avant‑garde chef
Marcus Samuelsson – Internationally acclaimed chef
Today’s Top 50 food and beverage speakers—from Scott Steinberg’s forward-thinking insights to thought leaders, executives and culinary storytellers—bring unmatched inspiration. Whether through leadership, creativity, or vision, each one elevates how audiences engage with food, hospitality, and innovation.
