What does it take to build a profitable restaurant? How can chefs turn culinary trends into commercial opportunities? And how can South Africa’s extraordinary food culture become a stronger reason for people to travel?
These are among the questions at the heart of the Gastronomy Africa Conference & Expo 2026, taking place at Breakers Resort, Umhlanga, on 19 and 20 October 2026.
Now in its third year, the conference brings together leading chefs, restaurant owners, hospitality professionals, food producers, suppliers and tourism practitioners for two days of practical conversations, networking, industry insight and inspiration.
With MCs Katlego Mlambo and Pete Goffe-Wood leading the programme, the conference is designed for professionals who want to understand not just what is happening in the culinary sector, but how to turn those changes into practical business opportunities.
The 2026 speaker line-up includes some of the country’s most recognised culinary and hospitality names, including:
- Liam Tomlin, owner of Chefs Warehouse
- Trevor ‘Trey’ Chikaure, owner and pitmaster of Briskets & Biscuits
- Jodi Gillespie, Executive Chef at V&A Waterfront Properties
- Gregory Henderson, Executive Chef at The Palm House Boutique Hotel & Spa
- Amori Burger, Executive Chef at Upper Union
- Vusi Mbatha, Executive Chef at Kruger Shalati
- Luke Barry, Executive Chef, Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel
- Xolani Zibane, Cultural Gastronomist
- Jackie Cameron, owner of the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine
Where chefs meet, ideas get tested and the business gets real
For chefs and restaurant operators, sessions will tackle the commercial decisions behind successful food businesses, while conversations around trends, indigenous ingredients and innovation will look at how ideas move from trend to table – and from the kitchen into the marketplace.
One of the programme highlights will feature KwaZulu-Natal culinary star Johannes Richter, together with sommelier and maître d’ Johanna Richter and Chef Luckson Mare from The LivingRoom at Summerhill Estate.
The team will unpack the vision, philosophy and execution behind the multi-award-winning restaurant, including its approach to local ingredients, sustainability, mentorship and talent development – offering an inside look at the thinking and teamwork behind this distinctive destination restaurant.
Building gastronomy tourism products that give people a reason to travel
The conference also puts gastronomy tourism firmly on the agenda with a dedicated Gastronomy Tourism Workshop.
The collaborative, practical session will bring together government agencies, regional tourism authorities, destination marketing organisations, chefs, restaurateurs, culinary entrepreneurs, producers and agritourism stakeholders.
Drawing on research, global best practice and specialist insights, participants will explore how destinations can develop compelling food-led experiences, connect producers and culinary businesses to tourism markets, strengthen regional value chains and create gastronomy products that give visitors a reason to travel.
For chefs and food businesses, the discussion highlights an increasingly important opportunity: food is not simply part of the visitor experience – it can be the reason for the journey.
Meet the people shaping the foodservice industry
Running alongside the conference, the Gastronomy Africa Expo brings together suppliers, producers, equipment manufacturers, technology providers and other industry partners, giving delegates an opportunity to discover products and solutions, meet suppliers and connect with decision-makers across the foodservice, hospitality and tourism sectors.
The event is designed for executive chefs, restaurant owners and operators, hospitality professionals, foodservice buyers, culinary entrepreneurs, producers, suppliers, educators and students – as well as food enthusiasts interested in the people and ideas shaping South Africa’s culinary landscape.
For culinary students, ABALOBI will be hosting a masterclass and practical workshop on Sustainable Seafood Sourcing and Cooking.
‘KZN is the ideal stage’
According to Lance Gibbons, CEO of Gastronomy Africa, bringing the conference to KwaZulu-Natal represents an important step in the event’s growth.
“KZN’s unique blend of cultures, flavours and hospitality makes it an ideal stage for conversations about the business of gastronomy. As we continue to build the conference’s continental footprint, KZN and the city of Durban provide a strong platform to connect industry leaders, showcase innovation and examine how gastronomy can contribute to economic growth and tourism development.”
Gibbons says the conference is deliberately focused on the realities of working in the culinary and hospitality sectors. “Africa’s culinary industry is evolving rapidly. Chefs and hospitality professionals are increasingly operating as entrepreneurs, business leaders, innovators, educators and tourism ambassadors. The conference is designed to give them practical business insight, industry connections and a platform to exchange ideas and solutions that can strengthen businesses and careers.”
Join the conversation
Whether you are running a kitchen, building a restaurant, supplying the industry, developing a food business or simply passionate about South Africa’s food culture, the Gastronomy Africa Conference & Expo 2026 offers two days of access to the people, ideas and businesses shaping the sector.
Book your place now on Quicket and join leading chefs and food industry professionals in Durban.
Event Details
Event: Gastronomy Africa Conference & Expo 2026
Dates: 19–20 October 2026
Venue: Breakers Resort, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Two-day ticket: R500
Who should attend: Executive chefs, restaurant owners and operators, hospitality professionals, tourism leaders, foodservice suppliers, food producers, culinary educators, hospitality students, entrepreneurs, investors and professionals across the food, beverage, hospitality and tourism value chain.
Tickets: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/367889-gastronomy-africa-conference-expo-2026/#/
To see the programme and full speaker line-up visit the Conference website at https://conference.gastronomyafrica.com/
