Traverse City Food & Wine Talent

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

Click for detailed bios.

Featuring

All Talent

Aarti Sequeira

Food Network Host and Judge | Cookbook Author | Journalist
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
Adam McMarlin

Owner & Head Chef of Wren
Afrim Pristine

Cheese Master | Television Host | Cookbook Author
Amanda Danielson

Founder of Trattoria Stella, Traverse City | Culinary Educator and Hospitality Leader | Founder of Dirt to Glass™ and Intentional Agriculture
Amy Smart & Carter Oosterhouse

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

James Beard Awardee | Food Network Host | Emmy-Winning Creator| Cookbook Author | Global Goodwill Ambassador
Andy Elliott

Co-Owner of Modern Bird | Alum of BOKA, GT Fish & Oyster, and Ria | James Beard Nominated Chef
Andy Hollyday

James Beard Awardee | Hour Detroit Best Chef | Executive Chef at Selden Standard
Anna Ansari

Cookbook Author | 2026 Food Writer of the Year
Anthony Lombardo

Two-time James Beard Semifinalist | Hour Detroit Restaurant of the Year
Bradley Leonard

Chef Featured in Coldwater Kitchen
Cameron Rolka

Chef and Owner at Umbo, Traverse City
Debbie Gold

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

Chef Featured in Coldwater Kitchen
Emily Stewart

Pastry Chef and Co-Owner of Modern Bird | Former Pastry Lead at Bang Bang Pie | Alum of BOKA and Blackbird | James Beard Nominated Chef
Eric Patterson

Co-Chef/Owner of The Cooks’ House, Traverse City | James Beard Finalist
Ernest Davis

Chef Featured in Coldwater Kitchen
Freeman E. Gunnell III

Classically Trained Chef & Culinary Educator | International Culinary Tour Host
Jennifer Blakeslee

Co-Chef/Owner of The Cooks’ House, Traverse City | James Beard Finalist
Ji Hye Kim

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

Chef | Culinary Instructor | Star of Coldwater Kitchen
Jonathan Dayton and Stephanie Lee Wiitala

Husband-and-Wife Chef Team | Owners of S2S Sugar 2 Salt
Joseph VanWagner

James Beard Nominee | Executive Chef, Echelon, Ann Arbor | Internationally Trained Chef
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
Keil Moshier

Executive Chef at Chateau Grand Traverse
Kevin Tien

Food & Wine Best New Chef Winner | 5 Time James Beard Nominee | Michelin Guide Recognized Chef
Leah Moerdyk

Chef at Black Star Farms | Traverse City Tastemaker Award Winner
Loghan Call

Chef & Owner, Planted Cuisine | Regenerative Chef |Food as Medicine Advocate & Community Builder
Mario Batali

Chef and Restaurateur | Television Personality
Mark Kurlyandchik

Film Director | James Beard Award Winner | Journalist and Critic
Martin Sorge

Winner of the Great American Baking Show | Cookbook Author | Baking Nerd
Matt Rodbard

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

James Beard Nominee | Executive Chef & Owner of Trattoria Stella
Ruth Reichl

Editor-in-chief of Gourmet | Restaurant Critic | Author | James Beard Winner
Sarah Bobier

Executive Chef at Artisan, Traverse City | CIA Graduate and SkillsUSA Gold Medalist | Former Chef at NYC’s ABC Kitchen
Sarah Welch

Managing Partner at Umbo, Traverse City | James Beard Finalist
Susan Kostrzewa

Global Wine Journalist, Book Author & Educator | Director at Les Dames D'Escoffier New York | Cohost, Gunnell Innovation Culinary Tours
Thad Morrow

Founder of Bacaro in Champaign, IL | Former Wine Director at Blue Apron | Owner of Ladro Enoteca and Ladro Zero