January 15-16, 2026
Beyond the Kitchen: Shaping Tomorrow’s Culinary Empire through AI, Innovation and Branding
Celebrate 10 Years of SHARPEN!
Join us for the 10th Anniversary SHARPEN Workshop, an industry-leading, no-nonsense event built exclusively for serious established culinary business owners only.
For a decade, SHARPEN has been the only 2-day workshop that cuts through the noise and delivers what you need most: clarity, strategy, and a prioritized action plan you can implement right away.
This milestone is a celebration of ten years of transformation, breakthroughs, and success stories from culinary entrepreneurs which lead to immense growth for the business owner and their bottom line. Come sharpen your business, celebrate your wins, and step confidently into your next chapter.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Your Path to Results
Wednesday, January 14
6:00 PM: Optional dinner at Paris 7th Restaurant
Thursday, January 15
SHARPEN Day 1
- 8:00 AM: Check-in Begins
- 9:00 – 9:30 AM: Opening Session: Let It Go to Move Forward. Kick off SHARPEN by releasing what no longer serves your business—or your life.
- 9:30 – 11:30 AM: Positioning & Differentiation: Becoming the Obvious Yes with Kelly Lucente. Learn how to sharpen your brand positioning so your business becomes the clear and compelling choice. Explore what sets you apart and how to communicate it with confidence.
- 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Panel: Where & How Have You Found Clients? Real-world stories from business owners on finding, securing, and nurturing clients in a competitive market.
- 12:00 – 1:00 PM: Networking Lunch
- 1:00 – 3:00 PM: Harnessing AI: The Future of Culinary Business with Amy Mewborn. From operations to marketing, AI is redefining what’s possible. Learn actionable ways to integrate AI into your culinary business and explore what’s next in this interactive workshop. Includes an Open AI Discussion for peer insights.
- 3:00 – 3:15 PM: Break
- 3:15 – 4:00 PM: Future Casting: Building Beyond the Kitchen. Deb leads a forward-looking workshop, exploring industry shifts and bold ideas that will shape tomorrow’s culinary empires.
- 4:00 – 5:00 PM: Ask Deb Anything: An open, candid conversation where you can bring your toughest questions about growth, leadership, and innovation.
Friday, January 16
SHARPEN Day 2
- 8:00 AM: Check-in Begins
- 9:00 – 10:30 AM: Navigating Uncertainty: Building Resilience and Growth. Instead of trying to predict the future, this session arms you with strategies to thrive in uncertainty. Learn how to stabilize your business in shifting economies, protect profitability, and lean into resilience as your growth advantage.
- 10:30 – 11:30 AM: Marketing & PR Mastery: Crafting a Brand that Echoes with Becca Cooper Leebove. Break through the noise with strategies to elevate visibility and create brand relevance. Learn innovative PR tactics and marketing moves that give your business staying power.
- 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: The Power of 1% Change. How small, steady improvements compound into transformative growth and increased revenue.
- 12:30 – 1:30 PM: Networking Lunch
- 1:30 – 2:30 PM: The 10 Biggest Financial Mistakes Business Owners Make with Nichelle Craig. Avoid financial missteps that stunt growth. Nichelle unpacks the biggest money mistakes—and how to stay ahead of them.
- 2:30 – 3:00 PM: Hidden Money Pits in Your Culinary Business. Expose the subtle financial drains in your business and learn how to redirect those resources toward innovation and expansion.
- 3:00 – 3:15 PM: Break
- 3:15 – 4:00 PM: Creating a Team-Led Company. Discover how to build a culture of leadership within your team, so your business scales with less reliance on you as the founder.
- 4:00 – 4:30 PM: Goal Setting for 2026: Your Roadmap to Empire. Close SHARPEN by setting clear, actionable goals for the year ahead, leaving with a roadmap to build resilience, leverage innovation, and expand your brand beyond the kitchen.
Saturday, January 17
VIP Coaching Day for Clients Only
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Deb’s house
10th Anniversary Early Bird Pricing
Celebrate a decade of SHARPEN with special anniversary savings!
Early Bird Rate: $395 with coupon code EARLYBIRD
Don’t wait, this early bird rate ends on November 30 and spots are limited!
Bring a Colleague for Only $295!
Want to bring a colleague to SHARPEN?
Simply select “Bring a Colleague” when checking out, and they can attend for the discounted rate of $295!
Why Attendees Trust SHARPEN
For the past 10 years, culinary business owners have returned to SHARPEN because they see measurable results in their businesses. Attendees have discovered that this workshop delivers:
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Revenue growth strategies that immediately translate into higher profits without adding more hours to their schedule.
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Direct guidance from Chef Deb and industry experts that turns complex challenges into clear, actionable solutions.
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A peer network of high-level entrepreneurs who push each other forward and open doors to new opportunities.
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How to create a team-led company so the business can thrive without the owner needing to be everywhere at once.
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Finding, hiring, and training the right employees to support growth and uphold excellence.
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Creating consistent income in an industry known for the opposite, giving owners the stability and freedom they’ve been seeking.
This workshop isn’t just inspiration, it’s transformation that translates into real results you’ll see fast. That’s why SHARPEN has become the workshop serious culinary entrepreneurs won’t miss.
Meet Our Speakers
SHARPEN is a Good Fit for You if…
- It’s been AT LEAST a year since you started your business, and you make $50K (or more) in gross revenue/total sales annually
- You know you have to do things differently to get different results, and you’re ready to take the leap
- Making all those tough decisions and pivots you’ve had to make alone have drained your entrepreneurial spark
- It feels like the next level is always juuuuust beyond your reach
- You’re ANY kind of culinary or food business owner; if you’re a restaurant owner, you offer (or want to explore offering) higher-margin services that are not part of the traditional restaurant model
- You want to immerse yourself with other culinary professionals who have been there, done that
- You’re tired of wasting your money on fluff-filled conferences that talk “at” you and/or webinars disguised as sales pitches
- You’re ready to dig in and work ON your business!
Sponsor
SHARPEN 2026
As all business owners know – especially those in the food industry – the cost of everything is UP this year. To ensure we do not compromise on the SHARPEN experience, we’re seeking sponsors.
Do you (or someone you know) serve established culinary businesses? You (and a SHARPEN sponsorship) may be a perfect fit.
Your Destination
Just minutes from Fort Worth’s historic downtown, Meacham International Airport offers a unique and convenient setting for SHARPEN’s 10th Anniversary Workshop. With a rich history dating back to the 1920s, the venue reflects the perfect balance of legacy and forward momentum, just like SHARPEN itself.
Nearby Hotels:
- Hyatt Place Fort Worth/Historic Stockyards ~$269/night
- Courtyard by Marriott Fort Worth Historic Stockyards ~$267/night
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Fort Worth Historic Stockyards ~$340/night
- DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Worth Fossil Creek ~$129/night
- Hilton Garden Inn Fort Worth/Fossil Creek ~$128/night
Don’t Miss
SHARPEN 2026!
Flight & Hotel FAQs
What airport should I fly into?
Flights into the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field tend to be cheaper for January. WIN!
However, we suggest flying into the Meacham International Airport since that is where SHARPEN is being held!
Are there rooms blocked out for the event?
Nope. You can stay wherever you like – any “Downtown Fort Worth” hotel will keep you close to the venue, but we suggest seeing our list of nearby hotels.
Who can I reach out to with questions?
If you have questions about registration, hotels, or the venue, please contact:
➤ Email: bianca@chefdeb.com
➤ Text: 973-879-4557
