Dynamic Variation:

    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.

    2026 Featured Talent

    All 2026 Talent

    • Aarti Sequeira
      Aarti Sequeira

      Food Network Host and Judge | Cookbook Author | Journalist

    • 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

    • Adam McMarlin
      Adam McMarlin

      Owner & Head Chef of Wren

    • Afrim Pristine
      Afrim Pristine

      Cheese Master | Television Host | Cookbook Author

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

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

    • Andrew Zimmern
      Andrew Zimmern

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

    • Andy Elliot
      Andy Elliott

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

    • Andy Hollyday
      Andy Hollyday

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

    • Anna Ansari
      Anna Ansari

      Cookbook Author | 2026 Food Writer of the Year

    • Anthony Lombardo
      Anthony Lombardo

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

    • Bradley Leonard
      Bradley Leonard

      Chef Featured in Coldwater Kitchen

    • Full body shot of chef Cameron Rolka
      Cameron Rolka

      Chef and Owner at Umbo, Traverse City

    • Debbie Gold
      Debbie Gold

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

    • Dink Dawson
      Dink Dawson

      Chef Featured in Coldwater Kitchen

    • Emily Stewart
      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
      Eric Patterson

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

    • Ernest Davis
      Ernest Davis

      Chef Featured in Coldwater Kitchen

    • Freeman E. Gunnell III
      Freeman E. Gunnell III

      Classically Trained Chef & Culinary Educator | International Culinary Tour Host

    • Jennifer Blakeslee
      Jennifer Blakeslee

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

    • 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

    • Jimmy Lee Hill
      Jimmy Lee Hill

      Chef | Culinary Instructor | Star of Coldwater Kitchen

    • Jonathan Dayton and Stephanie Lee Wiitala
      Jonathan Dayton and Stephanie Lee Wiitala

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

    • Joseph VanWagner
      Joseph VanWagner

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

    • 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

    • Keil Moshier
      Keil Moshier

      Executive Chef at Chateau Grand Traverse

    • Kevin Tien
      Kevin Tien

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

    • Leah Moerdyk
      Leah Moerdyk

      Chef at Black Star Farms | Traverse City Tastemaker Award Winner

    • Lindsay Gardner
      Lindsay Gardner

      Michigan-Based Artist and Author | Winner of the Nautilus Book Award  | Author of Why We Cook: Women on Food, Identity

    • Loghan Call
      Loghan Call

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

    • Mario Batali
      Mario Batali

      Chef and Restaurateur | Television Personality

    • Mark Kurlyandchik
      Mark Kurlyandchik

      Film Director | James Beard Award Winner | Journalist and Critic

    • Martin Sorge
      Martin Sorge

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

    • Matt Rodbard
      Matt Rodbard

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

    • Myles Anton
      Myles Anton

      James Beard Nominee | Executive Chef & Owner of Trattoria Stella

    • Ruth Reichl
      Ruth Reichl

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

    • Sarah Bobier
      Sarah Bobier

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

    • Full body image of chef Sarah Welch
      Sarah Welch

      Managing Partner at Umbo, Traverse City | James Beard Finalist

    • Headshot of Susan Kostrzewa holding a wine glass
      Susan Kostrzewa

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

    • Thad Morrow
      Thad Morrow

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

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