Catersource + The Special Event Schedule 2026
View, browse, and sort the ever-growing list of sessions by pass type, track, and association.
If you are seeing varied colors of session titles, here is your guide:
- Primary Blue = Catersource education sessions
- Dark Blue = TSE education sessions
- Light Purple = Those sessions or events that can be attended by anyone with a Catersource or TSE pass or requires a separate ticket.
Find your best experience by first choosing the pass type you have purchased. This will weed out all other extraneous sessions.
Note: Sessions fill up and seating is first come, first served.
Earn CMP credits!
ALL education sessions at this year's conference are approved by The Events Industry Council to count toward your CMP certification. Keep your professional status up-to-date while enjoying and learning from this incredible lineup of speakers.
The Soul of Spice: Unlocking The Power & Flavor of Indian Spices & Beyond
Speaker: Keith Sarasin (Aatma Curry House)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts, CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering
Stick It, Spoon It, Put It in a Glass: The Reboot!
Speakers: Eric LeVine (317 Mainstreet | Vice | The James Room | Stage 317), Deborah Gutheil (317 Mainstreet)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts
The Perfect Pairing: How Sales & Culinary Work Together
Speakers: Keith Lord (Strateje Fourteen), Cassandra DeLisle (Purple Onion Catering)
Location: 404AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Sales, CS-Culinary Arts
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
Speaker: Jason Sutton (Footers Catering)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
Fast Chat: The Leadership Knife Roll
Speaker: Jenny Stuart (Bast) (Catering Creations)
Location: 306AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Culinary Arts
Associations & Accreditations: LCA
Make Your Recipes Work Harder, Not Your Chefs
Speakers: Karen O'Connor (Daniel et Daniel Catering), Bonnie Kravitz (Daniel et Daniel Catering)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts, CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
Speakers: Roy Porter (Engage-Works Inc.), Ron Knoll (Knoll Consulting)
Location: Hands-on Area near Keynote & Culinary Stage
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering, CS-Culinary Arts
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
The Face Behind the Flavor: Chefs & Your Brand Identity
Speaker: Eric Caron (Lombardo's Hospitality Group)
Location: 306AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Culinary Arts
The Swicy Revolution: Exploring the Sweet-Heat Trend Captivating Late Night Snacks & Appetizers
Speaker: Joseph Pina (Chartwells)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts
From the Line Level to Leadership: Why Promoting from Within Often Fails – and How to Do it Right
Speakers: Betty Kalin (Dish Food & Events), AJ Harris (Dish Food & Events)
Location: 403B
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Culinary Arts
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
Speaker: Bonnie Kravitz (Daniel et Daniel Catering and Events)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts, CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
Breaking the Fast: Elevating Morning Catering Menus
Speaker: Boris Seymore (BDS Catering/Georgia Mae's)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
Fast Chat - From Fire to Flow: Real World Strategies for Building & Keeping a Kitchen Team
Speaker: Richard Carter (Catering Works)
Location: 404AB
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Leadership & Professional Development, CS-Culinary Arts
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
Plating Master Class Part 1: Executing Fast Plating Line(s) for Multiple Courses!
Speakers: Roy Porter (Engage-Works Inc.), Sean Dent (Eternity Hospitality)
Location: Hands-on Area near Keynote & Culinary Stage
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts, CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
School of Fish – A Catering Chefs Guide to Profitability & Sustainability
Speakers: Paul Buchanan (Primal Alchemy), Patrick (Paddy) Glennon (Superior Seafood / Culinary Liberation Front), Tommy Gomes (Tunaville Market)
Location: Keynote & Culinary Stage
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts, CS-Sustainability
Smoke, Fire, Scent, Flavor: The Emotional Memory Maker
Speaker: Jeffrey Schlissel (The Bacon Kartel)
Location: Keynote & Culinary Stage
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts
Batch Perfect: Elevating Events with Signature Cocktails & Mocktails
Speaker: Rob Husted (Cocktails4hire.com)
Location: Beverage Stage
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts
Emcee: Robin Selden (Marcia Selden Catering & Events and Naked Fig Catering)
Judges: Eric LeVine (317 Mainstreet | Vice | The James Room | Stage 317), Keith Lord (Strateje Fourteen), Paul Acosta (Four Points by Sheraton Norwood Hotel and Conference Center)
Location: Keynote & Culinary Stage
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts
Associations & Accreditations: LCA
Hand-on Basic Bartending Skills 101: Free Pouring, using a Jigger, Shaking and Mixing Cocktails!
Speaker: Roy Porter (Engage-Works Inc.)
Location: Hands-on Area near Keynote & Culinary Stage
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-On- or Off-Premise Catering, CS-Culinary Arts
Associations & Accreditations: ICA
Bar Pizza, Big Impact: South Shore's Crispy Secret for Catered Success
Speakers: Eric Caron (Lombardo's Hospitality Group), David Lombardo (Lombardo's Hospitality Group)
Location: Keynote & Culinary Stage
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass, Exhibit Hall Only, TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts
Plate Presentation & Styling, from Kitchen to Cover Page
Speakers: Jay Varga (The JDK Group), Lindsey Leichthammer (Lindsey Leichthammer Events)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Culinary Arts, CS-Marketing
Associations & Accreditations: LCA
Speaker: Adriel Sims (SMU HOSPITALITY)
Location: 304ABC
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Trends, Events & Design, CS-Culinary Arts
Transforming Event Catering with 3-D Printing
Speaker: Houston Loper (HL Catering Company)
Location: 403A
Pass Type: All Access, Catersource Conference Pass, Combined CS/TSE Conference Pass
Track: CS-Trends, Events & Design, CS-Culinary Arts
Associations & Accreditations: ICA