Food Biz Con returns to help early-stage restauranteurs level up
2025 Food Biz Conference // Courtesy Food Biz Conference
Aspiring and beginning-stage restaurateurs are invited to a free two-day conference aimed at offering support for launching or scaling their food business.
Kansas City’s 5th annual 2026 Food Business Conference (Food Biz Con) returns with free workshops on March 4 and 5, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., plus a new pitch contest on March 6. The event will be held at K-State’s Olathe campus, 22201 W. Innovation Drive, Olathe, KS 66061.
The workshops cover topics related to mobile food businesses, manufacturing, restaurants, and agriculture. Additionally, the conference connects food entrepreneurs with support organizations, coaches, and education for those with only a spark of an idea, to those already in action and ready to take their operation to the next level. Registration is free because of a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and the event has additional sponsors.
“Our mission for the 2026 Food Business Conference is that every current and aspiring ‘foodpreneur’ walks away with a recipe for success!” says Mid-Continent Public Library Culinary Center Director Xander Winkel. “This conference has continued to grow each year, and we are thrilled to add new partners and offerings this year. We’re especially excited for the Pitch Contest and to increase the number of Spanish-language sessions.”
2025 Food Biz Conference // Courtesy Food Biz Conference
Specific workshops for 2026 have not yet been announced, but some of last year’s topics included the role of food businesses as community leaders, how to create a marketing plan for your food biz, panel of grocery buyers and outlets, regulatory rundown, and more.
This year’s keynote speakers include Jackie Nguyen, founder of Cafe Cà Phê, and Chef Jasper Mirabile, Jr., owner of Jasper’s Restaurant and host of “Live from Jasper’s Kitchen.” Plus, a keynote panel will be led by Jill Silva, James Beard Award-winning food editor and writer and co-owner of Silva + Stern PR.
Mirabile says, “I have chosen to be a speaker at this event to share my story about how my family has been part of the Kansas City food scene for 72 years, starting with a small 12-table restaurant and growing into a 200-seat Italian restaurant, bar, deli, and grocery brand.” Mirabile’s expansion over the years has required constant learning, and now he and the other speakers bring a helping mindset to this event, ready to bolster and champion the future of our Kansas City food scene.
