14th Annual ICCA Summit from June 26 – 29, 2016 in Nashville

We are very excited to take our 2016 ICCA Summit to Music City. Nashville is not only the home of Country Music – it is becoming one of the hottest culinary destinations in the USA. From legendary chefs like Sean Brock and Donald Link who passed over numerous southern cities to open restaurants in Nashville to James Beard 2016 nominated restaurants Husk, Cochon The Butcher, City House, Pinewood Social and The Patterson House – you will learn why culinary enthusiasts are changing travel plans to add Nashville to their list. Rising TV network star and author Maneet Chauhan will share her passion for her native Indian cuisine and how she has successfully crafted a menu that reaches the masses, even in the Deep South, where she is introducing diners to new flavors. You will also hear her stories from her permanent judging role on Chopped and competition experiences on Iron Chef and The Next Iron Chef where she holds the distinction as the only Indian woman ever to compete on this level. Click here for the complete agenda: ICCA 14th Annual Summit Agenda

We will also stimulate your creative side as we include some of Nashville’s award winning songwriters in a unique session that will share their communication skills for writing hit songs with the goal to inspire ICCA members in creating award winning new menu items. The take-aways might help your team to turn your next new menu item into a #1 hit! Of course the leading chefs from Nashville will play a role in sharing information about the regional trends and how some of these items are hitting main stream restaurants worldwide including of course Nashville Hot Chicken. Brothers Benjamin and Max Goldberg, nominated  for  Outstanding Restaurateur by James Beard Foundation in 2016, will share the secrets behind their successful one-of-a-kind restaurants including Catbird Seat, Pinewood Social, Le Sel and The Patterson House. During the final demo and tasting, Deb Paquette will share her thoughts on the cuisine of Nashville and the challenges facing restaurants in the region and the nation.

Our annual dinner will be at the Johnny Cash Museum where Johnny’s good friend and museum founder Bill Miller has accumulated an amazing array of artifacts, clothing, personal memorabilia and of course his award winning music and musical instruments spanning his 50 year career as one of the best selling music artists of all time. The museum’s expansion was completed just a few weeks ago and includes an interactive digital music mixer where you can re-mix one of his famous soundtracks. The reception and dinner will be on Sunday, June 26th immediately after the opening general session at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.

The ICCA Culinary Road Trips are always one of the most popular activities during the three-day action packed event. Nashville’s leading chefs have created agendas for us to visit their favorite farms, unique food suppliers, bakeries, chocolate manufacturers, breweries, distilleries and classic local joints including Cochon Butcher, Hattie B’s and Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint. Other stop include Green Door Farms, The Hamery, Yazoo Brewery and a back-stage tour of the foodservice operations at the Music City Center. The culinary Road Trips will also be unique as we blend the music scene, craft cocktails and good eats into one fun educational event.

For the complete educational agenda and related programs go to this link and remember your spouse is invited and can join in on many activities including the ICCA Annual Dinner, daily receptions and a VIP spouse tour at no additional cost. Our host hotel is the Loews Vanderbilt with a room rate of only $199 per night for ICCA members and sponsors. The ICCA Board has once again voted to honor the 50 percent discount for those who register early when they pay their annual dues.  The cost is normally $595, but when paid with the $395 annual dues it is only $495 for both. Here is the membership application for new members: ICCA membership form 2016 For current members who need to renew your dues and register for the ICCA Summit here is the ICCA Membership-Summit Discount 2016 invoice you can use or below you can pay using a credit card. Here is the link for hotel reservations at The Loews Vanderbilt. See you in Music City in June.