
A highlighted feature of the California Restaurant Show - the Culinary Innovation Theater is an educational, interactive, and entertaining area for restaurant and foodservice professionals who want to stay up to date in the industry. Come see our featured chefs, watch their cooking demonstrations and taste their samples.
INTRODUCING THE 2026 CULINARY INNOVATION THEATER HEADLINERS : TYLER FLORENCE AND DREW NIEPORENT
TYLER FLORENCE
RESTAURATEUR, AUTHOR & FOOD NETWORK HOST
Join us Monday, August 24, 1:00pm

Join us for an unforgettable experience for a fireside chat with star restaurateur, author and Food Network host Tyler Florence at the Culinary Innovation Theater. 100 copies of Tyler's new book "American Grill" will be distributed to the audience following the presentation.
Tyler’s reach and influence extends well beyond his cooking shows, as he has authored 17 cookbooks, including his latest book, American Grill (Abrams), and built an ever-expanding business empire across many platforms. He is a proud graduate of Johnson & Wales University ’94, and a two-time James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef West Coast, Tyler launched his award-winning flagship restaurant, Wayfare Tavern, over a decade ago. In June 2024, San Francisco Magazine bestowed upon Tyler the coveted title of “Chef of the Year.” His highly acclaimed San Francisco restaurant, Miller & Lux, located in the Chase Arena, home of the Golden Gate Warriors was named Best Steakhouse in the Bay Area by San Francisco Magazine 3 years running. The restaurant was recently named #4 on the list of 50 Best Steak Restaurants in No. America and named #25 Best Steak House in the World by Upper Cut Media House headquartered in London, UK. In 2023, Tyler opened his second, hugely popular, award winning outpost of Miller & Lux in Hawaii, at the Four Seasons resort, which Honolulu Magazine named the Gold Winner for Best Hawaii Island Steakhouse and Bronze Winner for Best Steak. The Honolulu Star-named Miller & Lux Hualalai as the Best Neighbor Island Restaurant.
In 2017, Tyler created a full-stack production company, Monarch Collective, Inc. His debut film Uncrushable, a documentary about the Northern California wildfires, was the catalyst for the company; since then, he has produced content for television and digital media, and created advertising/marketing videos for a variety of well-known clients including The Venetian Resort, Red Bull, The Four Seasons, and The Food Network/Discovery. His insatiable quest for what’s current and interesting in the food and lifestyle space has always positioned him at the forefront of new trends, gaining him a large and engaged social media following, that extends above the 1M mark. He calls Corte Madera, California home, where he lives in an 1890’s-era Bernard Maybeck home with his wife and children
DREW NIEPORENT
RESTAURATEUR AND AUTHOR
Join us Tuesday, August 25, 12:00noon

Fireside Chat with Star Restaurateur Drew Nieporent
Drew Nieporent, will discuss his new book “I’m Not Trying to Be Difficult” and what it takes to become an award-winning restaurateur.
Drew Nieporent, one of America’s most respected and celebrated restaurateurs, is the founder and inspiration behind the Myriad Restaurant Group, which operates Tribeca Grill, Nobu New York City, Nobu Fifty Seven, Nobu London, Nobu Next Door, Bâtard, Porsche Grille at Citi Field, and Crush Wine & Spirits. Nieporent’s first restaurant, the groundbreaking Montrachet (1985), earned three stars from The New York Times and kept that rating for 21 years. He has partnered with Robert DeNiro, Robin Williams, and Francis Ford Coppola, among others. He’s won multiple James Beard Awards. Drew Nieporent, will sign copies of his new book “I’m Not Trying to Be Difficult” for the first 100 attendees.