Join Southern Smoke Foundation for a day filled with interactive panels that will tackle industry challenges, explore effective growth strategies, and discuss ways to keep your business thriving in an ever-changing economy.

Purchase Tickets

Can You Scale Soul? Growth Without Losing the Magic presented by TABASCO
Beyond the Back Office: How AI Tech is Reshaping Hospitality Operations presented by SlangAI
From Headlines to Hashtags: How Media and Marketing Are Evolving
Everywhere, All at Once: the Multiverse for Modern Operators
Can You Scale Soul? Growth Without Losing the Magic presented by TABASCO
Chef Thumbnail
Nina Compton
Chef/Owner, Compère Lapin
Chef Thumbnail
Christa Cotton
CEO, El Guapo
Chef Thumbnail
Max Goldberg
Co-Owner, Strategic Hospitality
Chef Thumbnail
Moderator: Kayla Stewart
Senior Editor, Eater
Chef Thumbnail
June Rodil, MS
CEO/Partner, Goodnight Hospitality
Beyond the Back Office: How AI Tech is Reshaping Hospitality Operations presented by SlangAI
Chef Thumbnail
Ben Leventhal
Founder, Blackbird; Co-Founder, Resy and Eater
Chef Thumbnail
Moderator: Marie La France
Co-Founder, Louie Louie
Chef Thumbnail
Cheryl Paniagua
VP of Restaurant Sales and Services US, OpenTable
Chef Thumbnail
Alex Sambvani
CEO + Co-Founder, Slang AI
From Headlines to Hashtags: How Media and Marketing Are Evolving
Chef Thumbnail
Rachel Karten
Social Media Consultant, Author of Link In Bio
Chef Thumbnail
Emily Sundberg
Writer, Feed Me
Everywhere, All at Once: the Multiverse for Modern Operators
Chef Thumbnail
Moderator: Brett Martin
Journalist
Chef Thumbnail
Mia Devillier
Director of Operations + Partner, La Petite Grocery
Chef Thumbnail
Arjav Ezekiel
Beverage Director and Co-Owner, Birdie’s
Chef Thumbnail
Jasmine Moy
Restaurant Attorney
Chef Thumbnail
Ellen Yin
Founder/Co-Owner, High Street Hospitality Group
Southern Smoke Symposium
Monday, November 17, 2025
9:00am–6:00pm
Hotel Saint Vincent
1507 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

The Southern Smoke Symposium isn’t just another industry conference — it’s a day built by and for the food and beverage community. Join us for a full day of conversations designed to dig into the real challenges facing our industry today, from scaling with soul to navigating modern media, mastering new technologies, and staying ahead in a constantly changing economy.

Expect interactive panels with some of the brightest minds in hospitality, including chefs, operators, journalists, attorneys, and innovators who are reshaping the way restaurants and bars run. You’ll hear firsthand stories, practical advice, and forward-looking strategies you can take back to your own business.

Your ticket includes breakfast, lunch, and a post-event happy hour, making it a true community gathering — not just a conference. This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, ask questions, and walk away with tools, ideas, and inspiration to strengthen your business and your team.

At Southern Smoke, we believe in building a stronger future for food and beverage workers, and the Symposium is one way we bring the industry together to share knowledge, collaborate, and keep moving forward — together.

Can You Scale Soul? Growth Without Losing the Magic presented by TABASCO
Beyond the Back Office: How AI Tech is Reshaping Hospitality Operations presented by SlangAI
From Headlines to Hashtags: How Media and Marketing Are Evolving
Everywhere, All at Once: the Multiverse for Modern Operators
Can You Scale Soul? Growth Without Losing the Magic presented by TABASCO
Chef Thumbnail
Nina Compton
Chef/Owner, Compère Lapin
Chef Thumbnail
Christa Cotton
CEO, El Guapo
Chef Thumbnail
Max Goldberg
Co-Owner, Strategic Hospitality
Chef Thumbnail
Moderator: Kayla Stewart
Senior Editor, Eater
Chef Thumbnail
June Rodil, MS
CEO/Partner, Goodnight Hospitality
Beyond the Back Office: How AI Tech is Reshaping Hospitality Operations presented by SlangAI
Chef Thumbnail
Ben Leventhal
Founder, Blackbird; Co-Founder, Resy and Eater
Chef Thumbnail
Moderator: Marie La France
Co-Founder, Louie Louie
Chef Thumbnail
Cheryl Paniagua
VP of Restaurant Sales and Services US, OpenTable
Chef Thumbnail
Alex Sambvani
CEO + Co-Founder, Slang AI
From Headlines to Hashtags: How Media and Marketing Are Evolving
Chef Thumbnail
Rachel Karten
Social Media Consultant, Author of Link In Bio
Chef Thumbnail
Emily Sundberg
Writer, Feed Me
Everywhere, All at Once: the Multiverse for Modern Operators
Chef Thumbnail
Moderator: Brett Martin
Journalist
Chef Thumbnail
Mia Devillier
Director of Operations + Partner, La Petite Grocery
Chef Thumbnail
Arjav Ezekiel
Beverage Director and Co-Owner, Birdie’s
Chef Thumbnail
Jasmine Moy
Restaurant Attorney
Chef Thumbnail
Ellen Yin
Founder/Co-Owner, High Street Hospitality Group
Southern Smoke Symposium
Monday, November 17, 2025
9:00am–6:00pm
Hotel Saint Vincent
1507 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130

The Southern Smoke Symposium isn’t just another industry conference — it’s a day built by and for the food and beverage community. Join us for a full day of conversations designed to dig into the real challenges facing our industry today, from scaling with soul to navigating modern media, mastering new technologies, and staying ahead in a constantly changing economy.

Expect interactive panels with some of the brightest minds in hospitality, including chefs, operators, journalists, attorneys, and innovators who are reshaping the way restaurants and bars run. You’ll hear firsthand stories, practical advice, and forward-looking strategies you can take back to your own business.

Your ticket includes breakfast, lunch, and a post-event happy hour, making it a true community gathering — not just a conference. This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, ask questions, and walk away with tools, ideas, and inspiration to strengthen your business and your team.

At Southern Smoke, we believe in building a stronger future for food and beverage workers, and the Symposium is one way we bring the industry together to share knowledge, collaborate, and keep moving forward — together.

About
Southern Smoke Symposium 2025

The Southern Smoke Symposium isn’t just another industry conference — it’s a day built by and for the food and beverage community. Join us for a full day of conversations designed to dig into the real challenges facing our industry today, from scaling with soul to navigating modern media, mastering new technologies, and staying ahead in a constantly changing economy.

Expect interactive panels with some of the brightest minds in hospitality, including chefs, operators, journalists, attorneys, and innovators who are reshaping the way restaurants and bars run. You’ll hear firsthand stories, practical advice, and forward-looking strategies you can take back to your own business.

Your ticket includes breakfast, lunch, and a post-event happy hour, making it a true community gathering. This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, ask questions, and walk away with tools, ideas, and inspiration to strengthen your business and your team.

At Southern Smoke, we believe in building a stronger future for food and beverage workers, and the Symposium is one way we bring the industry together to share knowledge, collaborate, and keep moving forward — together.

FAQ
When and where is the event?

The event will take place at Evangeline Hall in Hotel Saint Vincent on Monday, November 17th. Doors open at 9:00 AM for breakfast, and programming runs until 6:00 PM. Full schedules will be sent to ticket holders prior to the event.

Link to Hotel Saint Vincent Map

Where should I stay?

Stay steps from the event at Hotel Saint Vincent in the Lower Garden District with a special Southern Smoke Symposium rate of $279/night. We’ve also curated a list of additional hotels if you’d like to explore more of New Orleans.

What does my ticket include?

Your ticket priced at $150 provides full access to all four panels throughout the day, plus a chef-driven breakfast, lunch, and happy hour by the Hotel Saint Vincent team.

Is parking available?

Yes! On-site parking is available in the venue lot on a first-come, first-served basis. Rideshares and carpooling are also encouraged.

What should I wear?

We keep it casual here at Southern Smoke. Dress comfortably and bring a light layer as room temperatures may vary.

What should I bring?

No need to bring anything: we will provide guests with notebooks, pens, Southern Smoke info cards, and some gifts from our sponsors. Bring business cards if you want to connect and network with folks in the room.

Will there be food and drinks?

Yes! Breakfast begins at 9:00 AM, followed by lunch and refreshments throughout the day and a happy hour to close out the day.

I bought a ticket, but can’t come. What can I do?

You can transfer your ticket to someone else, or donate the ticket price to Southern Smoke Foundation.

Interested in supporting our mission or getting involved with Southern Smoke Foundation?

We’d love to hear from you. Our team will be at the event if you would like to set up a time in person. Contact us at behindyou@southernsmoke.org.

Tickets
$ 150
Monday, November 17
  |  9:00am-6:00pm

Hotel Saint Vincent
1507 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

Your ticket includes breakfast, lunch, and a post-event happy hour, making it a true community gathering — not just a conference. This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, ask questions, and walk away with tools, ideas, and inspiration to strengthen your business and your team.

LODGING
Hotel Saint Vincent

1507 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70130

Stay steps from the event in the heart of the Lower Garden District with a special Southern Smoke Symposium rate of $279/night.
BOOK A ROOM
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Help Us Feed the Conversation.

Huge thanks to our incredible partners who make the Southern Smoke Symposium possible. Your generosity fuels the conversations, connections, and ideas that help strengthen the food and beverage industry. Special thanks to our presenting supporter OpenTable for keeping the energy high and the day running smoothly.

Seeing this community rally around big ideas and bold discussions never fails to inspire us at Southern Smoke. Proceeds from the Symposium support our mission to provide emergency relief and mental health services to food and beverage workers nationwide.

Interested in supporting SSF Symposium?

Please reach out to our development director Caroline Nabors at caroline@southernsmoke.org.