Brooklyn Lit Us Up: Our Unforgettable Experience Sponsoring the 2025 IACP Summit
Some days don’t just pass—they nudge you right into the center of the hustle and bustle of NYC and makes you see your work in a whole new light!
Our time in Brooklyn, NY sponsoring the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP)Summit was one of those days. It was the kind of experience that feels stitched together with legacy, creativity, friendship, and community. From the history built by Julia Child and Jacques Pépin to the fresh ideas shared by today’s culinary storytellers, the entire event pulsed with meaning. And the moments after the summit, from spotting the Statue of Liberty to running through Times Square with lattes in hand, showing off our book cover like teenagers on the best night of their lives, only added to the magic.
The Heart of the IACP Mission
A Legacy That Still Leads
Sponsoring the 2025 IACP Summit in Brooklyn felt like stepping into the living history of culinary storytelling. IACP began back in 1978 with Julia Child, Jacques Pépin, Martin Yan, and Nathalie Dupree. Their mission was bold for its time: bring more access, more education, more mentorship, and more support to anyone brave enough to work in food. That mission still holds strong today. When the doors opened at 8:45 AM at The Venue at City Harvest, it was clear we weren’t just walking into a conference. We were stepping into a community that believes in lifting others higher and opening doors for voices that matter.
The morning began with an impactful discussion on food recovery and food insecurity, skillfully guided by Jilly Stephens and Joe Yonan. Their words grounded everyone in the room, serving as a powerful reminder that food goes far beyond taste—it represents care, responsibility, and human connection. Stretching from coast to coast, our recent journey to Los Angeles, where we spent time with Michael Flood, revealed just how universal the need is. Whether in the heart of Brooklyn or in a suburb of LA, the challenge of food insecurity unites us all, highlighting that the call to nourish and support our communities knows no boundaries.
Next, CJ Hernandez from Instagram brought the kind of digital wisdom every creator needs right now. He broke down how culinary professionals can show up with clarity and consistency on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Practical, sharp, and encouraging. Everyone was taking notes, including me!
Then Dorie Greenspan and Nancy Hopkins stepped in with “Having My Cake and Eating It Too.” Their realness, humor, and decades of experience pulled the room right into their stories. It was one of those sessions that stays with you long after the chairs are empty. And meeting Dorie afterward felt like a dream. Holding her latest cookbook, hearing her speak so warmly, and watching her sign my copy with such genuine care was surreal. We even laughed and bonded over our shared Swedish heritage and family recipes, a sweet little connection that made the moment feel even more personal. It was one of those full-circle experiences that makes you pause and think, “This is really happening.”
Why Sponsoring This Event Mattered to Me
Supporting IACP felt deeply personal because my love for cooking goes far beyond the kitchen—it’s about creating moments of connection and joy. Cooking healthy, nourishing meals has always been my way of showing care, and I cherish every memory of gathering with family, grandparents, and children for dinner. Each recipe isn’t just a set of instructions; it’s a reason to slow down, share stories about our day, and strengthen our bonds around the table. Recipes become relationships, bringing generations together and turning ordinary meals into treasured conversations.
To sponsor an event that gathers cookbook authors, chefs, editors, photographers, stylists, content creators, and publishers felt like investing in the future of culinary storytelling itself.
Jon Flynn’s Google Gemini session sealed that feeling. Watching the room light up as he demonstrated how AI can support the food professional’s workflow was a reminder that creativity and innovation belong together. The future is not coming. It is already here.
We were also deeply blessed by the kindness of our dear friend and host, Margaret McSweeney, who made our time in Brooklyn feel like home. Her warmth, generosity, and genuine joy absolutely carried us through the week.
Stories That Stir the Soul
Reflections That Shift Perspective
One of the morning’s standout sessions came from Fany Gerson as she shared “My Big Sweet & Spicy Brooklyn Life.” Her stories tasted like memories, culture, and identity. It felt even more meaningful because her signature Fan-Fan Doughnuts truly embody the mission she lives out every day: bringing joy, diversity, and creativity to the world one perfect doughnut at a time. Fresh, warm, small batch, and crafted with intention, every bite reflects the heart she brings to her craft. She brought her doughnuts to the summit, and I couldn’t resist trying one. I have never experienced such pure delight in a single bite. I could have easily gone back for more, but I savored just one, each taste a sweet reminder of the creativity and love she pours into everything she creates.
It felt fitting, especially since she brought her signature Fan-Fan Doughnuts to the summit. I couldn’t resist trying one, and I’ve never experienced such pure delight in a single bite! I could have easily gone back for more, but I savored just one—each taste was a testament to the heart and creativity she shares with the world.
After a networking lunch that felt more like a family reunion, Ayesha Nurdjaja kicked off the afternoon with “Cooking My Way to the Top.” Can I just say how real she is!?! Her grit and growth resonated all the way to the back row. I absolutely loved her vivacious personality, her drive, and the way she simply refuses to settle for no. Learning her story and hearing how she climbed her way to the top was nothing short of inspirational. She carries ambition with such light and fire that you can’t help but feel a spark of your own.
Then came the very impressive Substack panel! Dan Stone moderated with ease while Ruth Reichl, Robert Sietsema, and Violet Witchel shared wisdom on sustainable writing, loyal readership, and using Substack as a creative home base. Inspiration and practicality in one shot.
The Unforgettable Tricia Goyer Moment
Later in the afternoon came one of the most important moments of our entire experience: Tricia Goyer’s session, “Beyond the Recipe: Turning Your Culinary Journey into a Story Worth Telling.”
Her words held both weight and warmth. She talked about crafting narrative with emotion, clarity, and courage. She reminded all of us that stories matter because people matter.
Tricia didn’t simply talk—she orchestrated the room’s energy as if she were a master chef handling a bustling kitchen! As a mother of ten (yes, ten!), health coach extraordinaire, and recipe virtuoso, she knows how to stir up both laughter and inspiration. Her words had just the right ingredients: a dash of emotion, a sprinkle of clarity, and a generous helping of courage. Honestly, if storytelling were a bake-off, Tricia would have every judge eating out of her hand. She reminded us all that stories matter—because people matter, and she has a recipe for reaching every single one of them!
Then came the moment.
Right there in that room full of creators, she unveiled the cover of our book.
The Book Cover Reveal… A Defining Moment!
The atmosphere in the room transformed as Tricia began to unveil our book cover. Attendees leaned forward in anticipation, capturing the moment on their phones, smiles lighting up their faces. The excitement was palpable, and Tricia’s message resonated deeply with us, perfectly encapsulating the spirit and intention behind our work. Sharing the book cover during her session felt almost predestined—a profound, unforgettable experience that seemed touched by grace. It was one of those moments where everything aligned, leaving us with a lasting sense of gratitude and awe.
A Brooklyn Night We Will Never Forget
The Closing That Wrapped It All Together
The day closed with reflections from Kyle Jones of Bitter Southerner and Javier Cabral of L.A. Taco. Their message was simple and clear: food culture is people culture. The stories we tell help communities see themselves, remember themselves, and honor where they come from.
We walked out full and inspired!
A Rooftop Surprise and the Night That Took Us Across New York
When we stepped onto the rooftop to breathe for a second, the Statue of Liberty stood right there in the distance. Glowing. Steady. Strong. Majestic. Welcoming. Iconic. Timeless. Proud. Inspiring. Radiant. It felt symbolic, like a reminder that dreams are meant to be chased with courage.
From there, the night took on a life of its own.
We grabbed a taxi to Manhattan and ended up in a midnight diner with chrome counters and neon lights. Then we found ourselves in Times Square, lattes in hand, running around with our giant printed book cover like two teens who couldn’t stop laughing. Yes, we carried a full-size poster board of the cover. Yes, we posed like it belonged on every billboard. Yes, we took a bow!
Because if you don’t cheer for your own dreams, who will?
We laughed so hard we could barely breathe. Despite jet lag, time zone chaos, and an early airport run the next morning, none of it mattered. We were living fully in the moment.
At one point, Tricia rolled her window down in Times Square and someone literally called her name outside a Broadway theater. That was the moment I realized she was the most popular girl in New York that night, all the way from Arkansas!
We wrapped up the night wandering through a retro 80s shop, reminiscing, laughing like teenagers, and feeling like “here comes trouble” in the best possible way. It was purely nostalgic. Pure fun. Pure pinch-me-this-is-real magic.
A Day That Inspired Me
Sponsoring the 2025 IACP Summit was more than a professional milestone. It was a heart-shifting, creativity-sparking, community-building experience. Brooklyn gave us a day we will carry for a long time. The conversations, connections, the friendships, the laughter, the book cover reveal, the late-night neon moments, and even the cold Times Square night breeze. It all mattered. It reminded us that showing up for your dreams is worth it, and showing up for others is where the real magic happens.
Invitation
If you love food, storytelling, creativity, community, and cheering for dreams that feel a little bigger than your comfort zone, consider this your official invitation into the next chapter.
Walk with me as I share more behind the scenes, launch our book, and keep building the kind of support system we all wish existed when we first started. Think of it as joining a creative kitchen where inspiration is always simmering and the door is always open.
If you want to stay connected, learn, grow, and create with me, I would love for you to stop by and say hello. You can find me anytime at www.secondchanceonlove.com. Bring your dreams, your questions, or even your messy drafts. I promise, you’re in good company.
And if this summit sparked something in you, and you’re thinking, “Hmm… maybe I should be part of IACP too,” go take a peek at their world. Whether you want to become a sponsor, supporter, or simply soak up the wisdom of culinary creatives, you’ll find a place to land there.
Here’s to the next step, the next story, and the next dream you’re brave enough to say yes to.
Xo
