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CFBN Events

connect. convene. facilitate.


We continue to closely watch the guidance of local, regional, and national government restrictions to best shape our future in-person and event offerings. In the meantime, we continue to offer a collection of virtual and hybrid events designed to create opportunities for connection, networking, and knowledge sharing amongst our industry! Our hope is to provide opportunities for our industry to connect via conversation, education, and virtual networking to keep innovation happening and keep our industry mobilized! Use the links below to connect to those events and STAY TUNED - we are working with all of our members to build out more content for the the coming months!   

Upcoming CFBN Events:

    • 26 Sep 2024
    • 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • CoLaboratory 1210 W. Lake St.
    • 77
    Register

    CFBN’s most popular Annual Event! Get ready for an evening featuring up-to-the-minute culinary and industry trends from the experts at Datassential.  

    Join us* to walk through the kitchens, meet the chefs, and sample a variety of tasty new culinary trends.  You’ll taste an amazing array of chef-created bites and a true insider’s perspective on the tastes and forces that will influence eating and drinking in the coming year.

    Block your calendar and enjoy the latest cocktails, and fabulous foods from an amazing group of talented local chefs. 

    There’s much more to come!  Don't miss this!

    *Please note, refunds will not be processed for registrations cancelled within 24 hours of the event. 

    AGENDA

    5:00PM  Welcome / Check In

    5:30PM  Datassential Trends Report 

    6:15PM  Q&As

    6:30PM  Tasting and Networking

    8:00PM  Event Ends


    SPEAKER

    BRIDGET HEGG, MBD, RDN

    Associate Director

    Datassential

    As a food enthusiast and dietitian, Bridget brings a unique point of view to the foodservice industry. Having worked in restaurants, colleges & universities, hospitals, and in foodservice sourcing she loves working with clients to develop creative foodservice solutions. She holds a degree in Nutritional Science and Dietetics from Cornell University and an MBA from Dominican University.  

    Datassential makes the food industry smarter, providing trend software, predictive analytics, and consumer and operator insights that help manufacturers, food retailers, and chain restaurants innovate and sell more intelligently.


    PARTICIPATING CHEFS

    CHEF CAROL BUCKANTZ

    Corporate Chef

    McCain Foods

    Chef Carol has worked for McCain Foods for 1 year and 10 months as one of their corporate chefs.  She enjoys working with their customers through presentations and ideations, to show them exciting ways to use McCain Foods' vast array of potato and appetizer products. Before starting with McCain, Chef Carol had her own catering business and worked as Executive Chef/ Partner for Capital Grille.   She has been an Executive Chef for 28 years.  She is originally from Cleveland, OH, and has lived in the Chicagoland area for 27 years.  She is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University. 


    CHEF ANNE DRUSCHITZ

    Corporate Research Chef

    Edlong

    Anne Druschitz earned her CRC® (Certified Research Chef) designation from the RCA in 2005 and also holds a BS in Food Studies from NYU as well as an AAS in Culinary Arts from the Culinary School of Kendall College (which is now a part of National Louis university).  She has worked in flavor applications for the last 20 years and has been a part of the Edlong team for 16 years.  Prior to joining the R&D side of the food industry, Anne cooked in fine dining French restaurants and institutional foodservice kitchens in the Chicago area.  



    CHEF DANIEL ESPINOZA

    Corporate Chef

    Olam Food Ingredients (ofi)

    Chef Danny is the chef for Latin American cuisine at ofi. His love and extensive experience with Mexican and Latin cuisine drives his unique ability to connect with trends that are current and developing throughout the US and his desire to introduce consumers to tradition and technique. Most recently, Chef Espinoza and team won the prestige pork competition “cochon 555” crowning him the prince of pork in Chicago. In 2017, Espinoza was nominated as a finalist for “eater young guns”. In 2016, he participated in “Top Chef Mexico,” during which he tested his Chicano cooking style to high praise by finishing in the top 4 out of 15 competitors. Also in 2016, Espinoza consulted on Lincoln Park’s Holy Taco! that earned his barbacoa recipe “one of 100 best things we ate” by Timeout Chicago and earned a place among Zagat’s “30 Under 30” in 2015. He resides in Chicago’s West Humboldt neighborhood with his wife, Chef Jhoana Ruiz, in his free time, enjoys sketching, hanging out with his gentle giant of a goldendoodle benny, reading, and keeping up with this food industry.  


    CHEF JARED GOLDSTEIN

    Research Chef

    Bell Flavors & Fragrances

    Jared Goldstein is a Research Chef at Bell Flavors & Fragrances on the Savory Application Team where he focuses on flavor usage within CPG and food service products. Prior to his work at Bell, Jared was working with green tech start-ups with a focus on cell-cultured meat and cryogenic cooking. Jared started his career working at the three Michelin star restaurant Alinea in Chicago, it was there he developed the passion and skills of experimental cooking and culinary R&D. He holds an associate degree in culinary arts, and a bachelor's degree in culinary science from the culinary institute of America. He has a passion for trying new and novel ingredients and processes within his cooking. 


    CHEF DAVE HISTED

    Executive Research Chef

    Ed Miniat

    Chef Dave Histed is the Executive Research Chef of Ed Miniat, a family-owned custom sous-vide protein manufacturer located on Chicago’s South Side. He earned his associate’s degree in Culinary Arts Management from The Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY) where he was also elected to serve as his class leader during his time there.

    Chef Dave loves to volunteer his talents with our wonderful community having taught cooking classes with Share our Strength’s “No Kid Hungry” initiative while working in Chicago, serving as the keynote speaker on meal kits in the grocery industry during the 2019 Progressive Grocer Meals Solution Conference, and serving as a keynote speaker with the Research Chef’s Association National Conference in 2020.


    CHEF PETER KOLAVO

    Associate Research Chef, Oils

    South Chicago Packing

    Peter is the Research and Development Chef at South Chicago Packing, a 5th generation family owned edible oils facility in the Bridgeport neighborhood in Chicago. Having previously worked as an options and futures trader in New York and Chicago, Peter went back to school at Kendall Culinary graduating in 2018, while working at Ed Miniat as a R&D pilot plant manager. Peter moved over to South Chicago Packing 5 years ago and helped develop, market and sell shortenings and oils for baking, frying and general purpose cooking like SCP Wagyu Beef Tallow. He now lives in Valparaiso Indiana with his wife and two young boys who are also avid hobby farmers and gardeners.


    CHEF CASEY SCHALLERT

    Sr. Corporate Chef / Manager of Savory Applications

    Bell Flavors & Fragrances

    Casey is the Senior Corporate Chef/ Manager of Savory Applications at Bell flavors and Fragrances where she has held multiple positions focusing on flavor trends, Culinary sales demonstrations, and strategy for the savory flavor division.  Prior to her time at Bell Casey worked at Nutek Food Science where she focused on sodium reduction across a wide range of applications, building her technical background.  Casey started her career at McCormick as an intern learning the ins and outs of the consumer products and food service side of the food industry.  She holds an associate degree in culinary arts and a bachelor’s degree in culinary science from the Culinary Institute of America.  She is currently finishing up her Master’s Degree in Food Science at Kansas State University with an anticipated graduation of December 2023.   Casey is a member of the Research Chef’s Association and the Institute of Food Technologists.  She has a passion for food and creating winning customer experiences. 



    MAURICE SHELTON a.ka. CHEF BLAQUE

    Sugar Artist

    Black Rose Pastries / Steel City Bakery

    Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Maurice Shelton, who would later become commonly known as “Chef Blāque”, always had a passion for food and an eye for creativity. In 2007, he decided to take his passion to the next level and started his bakery, Black Rose Pastries! A skilled baker and sugar artist, Chef Blāque, has traveled the world teaching and training, showcasing his award-winning signature style - in over 42 states and 4 countries - blending realism and modern techniques to create show stopping masterpieces.

    Since, Chef Blāque, has been featured in several publications and media outlets including American Cake Decorating Magazine, The Northwest Indiana Times, The Miami New Times, Something Sweet (UK Based Magazine), Modern Luxury Chicago, and WCIU The Jam just to name a few. Most recently, he and his partner were crowned Season 1 Champions for the Netflix Original Series: Sugar Rush with judges Candace Nelson. Adriano Zumbo, and Betsey Johnson. 


    This event is in collaboration with:


    We thank the following companies for participating in this event:


     


     



      




       

         








         



          

    • 4 Oct 2024
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Webinar
    Register

    Learn how to leverage CFBN’s resources to become an expert networker. Following networking best practices (and using CFBN’s Member Tools & Perks) can help you improve your communication skills, grow your business, and build your career. 

    Having the right connections can be a big advantage – that’s why networking is such an important skill, and why CFBN exists. In general, building up your networking skill set takes time and practice. Unsure how to get started?  Don’t worry –  CFBN’s list of best practices will set you on the path to networking success. The more you apply these simple guidelines to your networking efforts, the better your results will be.





    • 9 Oct 2024
    • 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Chicago-Kent Law, 565 W. Adams Street (building Conviser Law Center)
    • 92
    Register

    As signaled by the recent mega Mars-Kellanova deal, major food makers are poised to accelerate M&A in 2024. An abundance of “dry powder,” strong corporate balance sheets and the anticyclical nature of food and beverage products position the sector for strong M&A activity.  

    Does this mark a significant change from the food and beverage sector focus on so-called “bolt-on” transactions?  Have we finally turned the corner on a market in 2023 that had its share of headwinds, driven by rising capital costs, and an abundance of caution in due diligence?   

    Join* the conversation along with CFBN and a panel of experts on October 9th on what lies ahead in the food & beverage M&A market for the balance of 2024 and into next year.  See who’s bearish, who’s bullish, and who’s going to make waves in the next year. 

    *Please note, refunds will not be processed for registrations cancelled within 24 hours of the event. 

    Agenda

    5:00 PM   Doors Open / Welcome

    5:30 PM   Presentation and Panel Discussion 

    6:30 PM   Q&A

    6:45 PM   What is Bigger Table (and Why it Matters)?

    7:00 PM   Networking

    8:00 PM   Event Ends


    PAnelISTS

    Sequoya Borgman

    Founder and CEO

    Borgman Capital

    Sequoya Borgman is the Founder and CEO of Borgman Capital, a lower middle market private equity firm with offices in Milwaukee and the Twin Cities. He has more than two decades of mergers and acquisitions structuring, planning, and due diligence experience. Prior to founding Borgman Capital in 2017, Sequoya was a partner and practice leader for RSM US LLP, a large multi-national public accounting firm. Much of his practice consisted of private equity firms or their partner companies. He has extensive experience consulting on complex transactions for both large public and large and small private companies, many with international operations. He has been involved in hundreds of merger, acquisition, restructuring, and financing transactions over his career.


    Randy Bridgeman

    Partner

    Perkins Coie

    Randy Bridgeman represents businesses and their owners in sale transactions, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and general corporate matters throughout a wide variety of industries. He frequently serves as the client’s primary outside counsel, quarterbacking all its legal matters and utilization of legal resources. He is the former firmwide co-chair of Perkins Coie’s Corporate & Securities practice, and with his more than 25 years in practice has extensive experience in representing privately held and family-owned businesses through the entirety of the sale process, providing owners advice on presale preparations, sale strategy and processes, tax planning and structuring, post-sale roles, and family succession, in addition to taking the lead legal role in the execution of the transaction.


    ModeratorAlexi Panagiotakopoulos

    Co-Founder, Partner and Chief Investment Officer

    Fundamental Income

    Fundamental Income is a private $1.6+ billion institutional real estate platform, backed by Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE:BAM), focused on sale leasebacks of single-tenant buildings leased to middle-market operating companies. Alexi is a member of the Board and jointly leads the Investment Committee alongside Co-Founder, CEO Chris Burbach. He’s served in his role for 5+ years and has 13+ years and $3.0+ billion of investing and transaction experience. He previously served as Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives for SMS Financial, a distressed debt firm and FDIC joint venture partner. Alexi was instrumental in the acquisition, recovery, and servicing of $940+ million of commercial debt across asset classes. In his role, he co-managed acquisitions, underwriting, portfolio management and dispositions. Prior to SMS, he specialized in underwriting at STORE Capital Corporation (previously NYSE: STOR). 


    Helana Robbins-Huddleston, CPA, CIRA

    Partner, Transactional Advisory Services

    Manufacturing and Distribution Industry - Co-Leader 

    CohnReznick

    Helana Robbins Huddleston provides transaction and related advisory services to clients in a range of different industries. She has over 22 years of expertise in financial due diligence, restructuring, cash flow budgeting, financial auditing, internal control evaluation, and business process improvement. In addition to her role in transaction advisory, Helana is the co-leader of CohnReznick’s Manufacturing & Distribution practice and is a member of the Firm's Private Equity and Venture Capital Industry Practice.



    More speakers to be announced........




    This event is in collaboration with:


    We thank the following participating companies:




    • 24 Oct 2024
    • 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Fifth Third Bank Office, 222 South Riverside Plaza
    • 99
    Register

    Did you know that the food manufacturing industry is one of the top most cyber attacked industries globally?  In fact, the food and agriculture industry faced over 160 cyberattacks in 2023, causing supply chain disruptions worldwide.

    Because the food manufacturing industry is just beginning to be digitized, and many companies are using legacy IT tools to manage their operations, there is room for cybercriminals to find a way in. But as our industry updates its technology, cybersecurity needs to be a priority to minimize vulnerabilities and avoid far-reaching consequences such as food safety risks, disruptions to global supply chains, tampering with testing and food quality data, the potential to have counterfeit product introduced into the supply chain, and more.

    Join CFBN* and Fifth Third Bank for this important conversation along with a panel of top experts on October 24th.   Together, we will discuss strategies for preventing “the scariest thing to happen to your business.”

    *Please note, refunds will not be processed for registrations cancelled within 24 hours of the event. 


    AGENDA

    5:00 PM   Doors Open / Welcome

    5:30 PM   Panel Discussion 

    6:15 PM   Q&A

    6:30 PM   Networking

    8:00 PM   Event Ends


    PANEL


    DAVE COLLIER

    Cyber Solutions, Senior Vice President

    AON

    Dave serves the firm’s Central Region as a Senior Vice President and is responsible for leading the delivery of all of Aon’s Cyber Solutions consulting services. He is focused on helping clients proactively mitigate risk, respond to cyber/privacy events and achieve better results in the insurance marketplace.  Dave’s expertise focuses on digital forensics assignments in civil, criminal, and regulatory matters and on assignments involving response to instances of computer crime and abuse. He has significant experience supporting clients dealing with ransomware attacks and those with needs in investigations, regulatory, privacy and litigation matters.



    BRIAN MINICK

    Chief Technology and Information Security Officer,  Chief Technology and Information Officer

    Fifth Third Bank

    Brian has overall responsibility for Fifth Third Bank’s technology and information protection programs. Focused on delivering technology platforms that support the bank, as well as solutions to protect customers, employees and information of a bank with over $200 Billion in assets, Brian and his team are implementing and maintaining programs and solutions designed to take advantage of the latest technologies and capabilities in the IT industry.



    DAVID H. POTTER

    Counsel

    BakerHostetler

    Driven by his passion for computers and technology and his commitment to staying on the cutting edge of cybersecurity issues, David Potter has advised hundreds of clients from a wide variety of industries on responding to cybersecurity and data privacy incidents, including clients in the food and beverage industry. He has helped guide hundreds of organizations through a wide variant of cybersecurity and data privacy breaches, including some of the highest demand ransomware cases to date. David also advises clients on cybersecurity and data privacy breach response and preparedness, and on identifying, evaluating and managing first- and third-party data privacy and cybersecurity risks. He has helped clients recover more than $1 million in funds wired out of the U.S. Notably, David understands the importance of protecting clients' reputations, and quickly pulls together a team of skilled forensic and public relations professionals, and notification vendors to help reduce public and regulatory scrutiny.



    More speakers to be announced.....



    This event is in partnership with: 


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