Dynamic Variation:

Talent

Chefs, authors, experts and celebrity guests will come together in Traverse City on August 20 - 24, 2025 to join in this special celebration of agriculture, creativity, and craft. Learn more about these talented individuals!

Click for detailed bios.

  • Headshot of chef Tyler Florence
    Tyler Florence

    Food Network Host | Cookbook Author | James Beard Nominee | Chef and Owner, Miller & Lux and Wayfare Tavern (San Francisco), Miller & Lux Hualalai (Kona)

  • Headshot of chef Mei Lin
    Mei Lin

    Top Chef Winner | James Beard Nominee | Chef and Owner, Nightshade, Daybird, 88 Club in Los Angeles

  • Antoni Porowski
    Antoni Porowski

    NYT Bestselling Author and Culinary Expert | Emmy-Winning Star of Queer Eye | Host of Nat Geo’s No Taste Like Home

  • Full body image of chef Sarah Welch
    Sarah Welch

    Top Chef | James Beard Nominee | Co-Founder and Partner at Marrow, Mink in Detroit | Owner of Umbo in Traverse City (Coming in 2026)

  • Headshot of Celina Tio
    Celina Tio

    Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America | Chef and Owner, Belfry and Wolf Den in Kansas City, MO

  • Headshot of Kate Williams holding a cocktail
    Kate Williams

    Chef and Owner, Lady of the House, Candy Bar, and Karl's in Detroit | James Beard Nominee | Food & Wine’s Best New Restaurants

  • Debbie Gold
    Debbie Gold

    James Beard Award–Winning Chef | Top Chef Masters | Culinary Director at AMDP Restaurants

  • headshot of Abra Berens in front of tall plants
    Abra Berens

    James Beard–Nominated Chef and Author | Advocate for Equitable Food Systems | Chef at Granor Farm in Michigan | Author of Ruffage, Grist, and Pulp

  • Headshot of Omar Anani
    Omar Anani

    Chef and Owner, Saffron De Twah in Detroit | James Beard Nominee | Food Network Chopped Champion

  • Headshot of chef Ji Hye Kim
    Ji Hye Kim

    Chef and Owner, Miss Kim in Ann Arbor | James Beard Nominee | Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs

  • Full body shot of chef Cameron Rolka
    Cameron Rolka

    Chef and Owner, Mink in Detroit | Owner of Umbo in Traverse City (Coming in 2026)

  • Amy Smart & Carter Oosterhouse couple photo on a red carpet
    Amy Smart & Carter Oosterhouse

    Actress and Television Personality | Bonobo Winery Co-owners | Founders of Carter's Kids

  • Jim Berger
    Jim Berger

    Co-Founder of High Noon Entertainment | Creator and Executive Producer of Food Network and related programming | Principal, Aspen Mountain Media

  • Matt Rodbard
    Matt Rodbard

    TASTE Magazine Founding Editor | NY Times Best Selling Author | James Beard Award Winner

  • Headshot of Susan Kostrzewa holding a wine glass
    Susan Kostrzewa

    Director-at-Large at Les Dames D'Escoffier New York | Contributor at JamesSuckling.com | Wine Educator

  • Headshot of Steve Reddicliffe
    Steve Reddicliffe

    Editor, The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails (2nd Edition)

  • Sayeh Tavangar tossing an orange
    Sayeh Tavangar

    International Chef and Culinary Educator | Former Broadcast Journalist (CBS, Reuters, Bloomberg) | Host of Upcoming Netflix Cooking Show | Food Network Guest | Expert in Persian and Global Cuisine

  • Mario Batali
    Mario Batali

    Chef and Restaurateur | Television Personality

  • Jennifer Blakeslee
    Jennifer Blakeslee

    Co-Chef/Owner of The Cooks’ House, Traverse City | James Beard Nominee | Michelin-Starred Chef

  • Eric Patterson
    Eric Patterson

    Co-Chef/Owner of The Cooks’ House, Traverse City | Michelin-Starred Chef | James Beard Nominee

  • AMANDA DANIELSON
    Amanda Danielson

    Founder of Trattoria Stella, Traverse City | Culinary Educator and Hospitality Leader | Founder of Dirt to Glass™ and Intentional Agriculture

  • Headshot of chef John Korycki
    John Korycki

    Estate Chef, Bistro Polaris at Black Star Farms | Owner and Tour Guide, Chef JK Travels

  • Sarah Bobier
    Sarah Bobier

    Chef de Cuisine at Artisan, Traverse City | CIA Graduate and SkillsUSA Gold Medalist | Former Chef at NYC’s ABC Kitchen