2026

Speakers

Abena Anim-Somuah

James Beard & IACP award-winning food writer

Ahris Kim

Managing Partner, Somssi

Alex Sambvani

CEO, Slang AI

Amanda Signorelli

Co-CEO & Co-Owner, Golden Steer

Amy Zhou

VP of Operations, Gracious Hospitality

Andrea Czachor

President, Mattos Hospitality

Ben Leventhal

CEO, Blackbird

Bradley Knebel

General Manager, JKS Restaurants

Jenna Velella

SVP of Financial Ops, STARR Restaurants

Justin Levy

SVP of Marketing, Tao Group

Kate Kassin

Editorial Operations, Bon Appétit

Kevin Pikus

CFO & Chief Strategy Officer, Sant Ambroeus Hospitality Group

Kristen Hawley

Founder, Expedite

Leah Merriam

Head of Restaurants, Loyalist | Prev. Catch Hospitality & Major Food Group

Maggie Tang

Founder and CEO, Loyalist

Rachel Kornafel

Chief Brand Officer, Union Square Hospitality Group

Nicolas Mouchel

Owner, Bridges

Robyn Tse

Director of Strategy, Santo Taco

Saadhya Singampalli

Head of Growth, Unapologetic Foods

Tirey Thomas

President, Pacesetter Hospitality

Agenda

9:30-
10:30 am

Registration & Breakfast

Breads Bakery

10:30-
11:15 am

Panel 1: Opening a new restaurant, from lease to launch

Speakers:
Ahris Kim (Managing Partner, Somssi)

Bradley Knebel (General Manager, JKS Restaurants)

Nicolas Mouchel (Owner, Bridges)

Leah Merriam (Head of Restaurants, Loyalist | Prev. Catch Hospitality & Major Food Group)

Moderator:
Kate Kassin (Editorial Operations, Bon Appétit)

11:15-
11:45 am

Coffee Break

‍

11:45-
12:45 pm

Panel 2: Growing and scaling a restaurant group

Jenna Velella (SVP of Financial Ops, STARR Restaurants)
‍
Kevin Pikus (CFO & Chief Strategy Officer, Sant Ambroeus Hospitality Group)
‍
Rachel Kornafel (Chief Brand Officer, Union Square Hospitality Group)

Moderator:
Saadhya Singampalli (Head of Growth, Unapologetic Foods)

12:45-
1:45 pm

Lunch

Santo Taco, Sanwits, ilili

1:45-
2:45 pm

Strategy Talks: Show & Tell

Speakers:
Amanda Signorelli (Co-CEO & Co-Owner, Golden Steer)
‍
Andrea Czachor (President, Mattos Hospitality)

Tirey Thomas (President, Pacesetter Hospitality)

Justin Levy (SVP of Marketing, Tao Group)

Moderator: Abena Anim-Somuah (James Beard & IACP award-winning food writer)

2:45-
3:15 pm