Cooking Up Careers: The C.H.E.F. Youth Conference Comes to DeKalb!

The Culinary and Hospitality Enthusiasts of the Future (C.H.E.F.) Youth Conference is heating up this week — and it’s serving more than just great food. This exciting, hands-on experience is designed to educate, inspire, and connect students with the incredible career paths available in Georgia’s thriving hospitality and tourism industry.

Hosted in collaboration with Byron Hospitality Consulting and Discover DeKalb, the C.H.E.F. Youth Conference aligns with Georgia’s Hospitality & Tourism Career Pathway Standards — making it the perfect blend of education, exploration, and inspiration for future industry leaders.

What to Expect

This interactive event goes far beyond the classroom. Students will have the opportunity to participate in:

Educational Insights on hospitality trends and professional pathways

Breakout Sessions with Industry Experts offering real-world perspectives

Networking and Career Exploration with leaders shaping the future of tourism

Skill Development Workshops that teach essential business, leadership, and customer service fundamentals

Why Attend

From aspiring chefs to future hotel managers, this conference gives students a front-row seat to what’s possible in hospitality. Attendees will:

Meet top industry professionals and gain valuable career advice

Explore college, technical school, and certification options that support their goals

Learn vital skills that can open doors in food service, event management, and beyond

Get inspired to take their first steps toward a rewarding and creative career

Discover the Possibilities

The hospitality world is full of opportunities — and the C.H.E.F. Conference helps students explore them all. Attendees will learn about:

Catering & Special Events

Food Blogging & Journalism

Personal & Private Chefs

Hotel Management

Corporate Food Service

Hospitality Entrepreneurship

Building Tomorrow’s Talent Today

The C.H.E.F. Youth Conference isn’t just an event — it’s a movement to empower young minds, spark creativity, and strengthen Georgia’s hospitality workforce for years to come. By bringing education and experience together in one inspiring setting, Discover DeKalb is proud to help shape the next generation of culinary and tourism innovators.

Stay tuned for highlights from this year’s event as we celebrate the students, mentors, and industry leaders who are cooking up a bright future for Georgia’s hospitality community.