2026 Worlds of Flavor Presenters

Introducing the first wave of confirmed chefs and food experts for Worlds of Flavor®. This initial lineup features visionary, influential culinary voices inspired by Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, representing everything from independent restaurants, pop‑ups and bars, to university and fine dining. And this is just the beginning—new presenters will be announced weekly, so check back often. Get ready for three immersive days of deeply informative ideas and techniques, unforgettable flavors, and unmatched networking opportunities.

Download the First Round Presenters List

Worlds of Flavor speaker, Ian Kittichai of Issaya Siamese Club in a Cuisine Concept chef's uniform.

Ian Kittichai — Issaya Siamese Club (Bangkok, Thailand)

One of Thailand’s most influential culinary figures, Ian Kittichai is a celebrated chef, restaurateur, and longtime television personality—serving as Iron Chef Thailand, lead judge on MasterChef Thailand, and the creative force behind award‑winning Issaya Siamese Club and other acclaimed restaurants.

Worlds of Flavor conference speaker Alex Ong — Director of Culinary Excellence, UMass Amherst. — Photo by Dina Yuen

Alex Ong — Director of Culinary Excellence, UMass Amherst (Amherst, Massachusetts)

Former chef‑partner of San Francisco’s influential Betelnut, Malaysian‑born Alex Ong helped shape modern pan‑Asian dining. Now Director of Culinary Excellence at UMass Amherst, he brings global technique, plant‑forward innovation, and cultural perspective to one of the nation’s top‑ranked campus dining programs. Photo credit of Dina Yuen.

Worlds of Flavor conference speaker and beverage director Haera Shin using a cocktail shaker.

Haera Shin — Former Beverage Director, Momofuku and Author (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Haera Shin served as a beverage director for the Momofuku restaurant group for many years; she is also the author of the forthcoming Korean Cocktails: From Traditional Spirits to Modern Drinks, exploring the depth, diversity, and cultural context of Korea’s sool—from soju and makgeolli to regional and revival spirits and inventive cocktails.

Worlds of Flavor conference speaker, Chef Kyle Connaughton — SingleThread and SoNoMa.

Kyle Connaughton — SingleThread (Healdsburg, CA) and SoNoMa (Kyoto, Japan)

Co‑founder and chef of three‑Michelin‑starred SingleThread, Kyle Connaughton is celebrated for his season‑driven, craft‑focused cuisine and deep ties to Japanese food culture, now extending his vision to Kyoto with the opening of SoNoMa by SingleThread.

Matt Rodbard on a city street— Journalist and Author, speaker at Worlds of Flavor conference.

Matt Rodbard — Journalist and Author (New York, New York)

Founding editor of TASTE and host of the This Is TASTE podcast, Matt Rodbard is a leading voice in food culture and media; he is also the award‑winning co‑author of Koreatown: A Cookbook and Koreaworld, honored in 2025 by the IACP and James Beard Awards.