Hawaii food summit to feature 75 speakers on business and AI

The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival will host the second annual FEAST Summit on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort on Oahu. The daylong event is designed to examine how the food industry drives economic opportunity and community resilience across the islands.

More than 75 national and local speakers will participate in 11 panel sessions. The summit serves as the opening event for the Oahu leg of the 16th annual festival. General registration costs $250 and includes access to all panels and a grand tasting lunch. A discounted rate of $50 is available for currently enrolled students.

Denise Yamaguchi, CEO of the Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance, created the conference to demonstrate the business skills behind the food and beverage sector. She stated that many culinary and wine professionals are effective in office settings as well as in kitchens. "They’re great restaurateurs, they’re great business people, they’re amazing brands in and of themselves," Yamaguchi said.

The summit covers topics including artificial intelligence in hospitality, culinary diplomacy, cultural heritage, food equity, and healthcare. Adam Richman, a food and travel television host, will open the event with a session on destination storytelling. Ligaya Mishan, chief restaurant critic for The New York Times, will discuss the impact of AI on consumer reviews and hospitality.

Other speakers include Maneet Chauhan, a James Beard Award-winning chef, who will explore immigration’s influence on American food culture. Chefs Art Smith and Michel Nischan will address culinary diplomacy, health, and longevity. The panel also features prominent local business and tourism executives.

These executives include Bob Harrison, CEO of First Hawaiian Bank, and B.J. Kobayashi, CEO of BlackSand Capital. Jeff Wagoner, CEO of OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group, and Dane Wicker, Deputy Director of the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, will also participate. Attendees will join a "Nonna Knows Best" lunch presented by the Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance.

Yamaguchi noted that the summit has generated collaborative initiatives since its launch last year, including the Dish & Dialogue podcast. She said the event aims to provide a practical perspective on commerce for the community. "Food touches everything, right? We think about it more than three times a day," she said.