Meet world’s famous chefs
This year, the Exhibz International Food Festival will be upgraded with lots of activities and sub-programs
Chris William
Lucille's
Chris William
Lucille's
Chris Williams was always destined to be a chef; he simply didn’t know it yet. Drawn to study food from a young age, he attended Le Cordon Blue in Austin, Texas and soon began traveling around the world working in eateries in Lithuania, England, the U.S. and all points in between. His insatiable hunger to learn everything about world cuisine unexpectedly led him back to his own family tree. Chef Williams’ named his restaurant after his great-grandmother, Lucille Bishop Smith, who was an educator, culinary innovator and successful entrepreneur. In August 2012, Lucille’s opened in a 1923 Mission-style home on a quiet, tree-lined street in the Museum District. While Chef Williams’ inventive and distinctively southern culinary style means diners will always be delighted by unexpected pairings, often inspired by his travels, Lucille’s legendary chili biscuits will always be on the menu.
Christian Bell
Rock Steady, ATL
Darnell Reed
Luella’s Southern Kitchen
Darnell Reed
Luella’s Southern Kitchen
Darnell Reed born in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up on the South Side spending a great deal of time with his great-grandmother, Luella Funches. Like most kids, Darnell enjoyed playing with friends and watching cartoons, but one of his favorite things to do, even as a very small child, was to watch the Cajun Chef Justin Wilson on Channel 11. The combination of watching him and seeing as well as eating his great-grandmother’s food had Darnell interested in cooking at a young age.
Darnell started his professional career with Hilton Hotels where he started as a prep cook and worked his way up to the Executive Chef of The Conrad Chicago. In 2015, he made the move to open his own restaurant and now four years later, he has opened Luella’s Southern Kitchen, which specializes in Southern cuisine.
Luella's has been in the Michelin Guide as a Bib Gourmand and was also named "Best New Southern Restaurant" by the Chicago Tribune and "Best Soul Food Restaurant" by Chicago Reader.
Rohani Foulkes
Developer Expert
Rohani Foulkes
Developer Expert
Rohani Foulkes, Co-Founder & Co-Owner of Folk, an artisanal café located in Corktown that specializes in seasonal, made-from-scratch comfort foods and healthful beverages.
Carla Hall
Celebrity Chef and Author
Carla Hall
Celebrity Chef and Author
Carla Hall is an American chef, television personality and former model. She appeared in the fifth and eighth seasons of Top Chef, Bravo's cooking competition show. She was a cohost on The Chew, a one-hour talk show centered on food from all angles, which premiered on ABC in September 2011
Rohani Foulkes
Developer Expert
Rohani Foulkes
Developer Expert
Rohani Foulkes, Co-Founder & Co-Owner of Folk, an artisanal café located in Corktown that specializes in seasonal, made-from-scratch comfort foods and healthful beverages.
Chris William
Lucille's
Chris William
Lucille's
Chris Williams was always destined to be a chef; he simply didn’t know it yet. Drawn to study food from a young age, he attended Le Cordon Blue in Austin, Texas and soon began traveling around the world working in eateries in Lithuania, England, the U.S. and all points in between. His insatiable hunger to learn everything about world cuisine unexpectedly led him back to his own family tree. Chef Williams’ named his restaurant after his great-grandmother, Lucille Bishop Smith, who was an educator, culinary innovator and successful entrepreneur. In August 2012, Lucille’s opened in a 1923 Mission-style home on a quiet, tree-lined street in the Museum District. While Chef Williams’ inventive and distinctively southern culinary style means diners will always be delighted by unexpected pairings, often inspired by his travels, Lucille’s legendary chili biscuits will always be on the menu.
Christian Bell
Rock Steady, ATL
Keynote Speakers
This year, the Exhibz International Food Festival will be upgraded with lots of activities and sub-programs
Carla Hall
Celebrity Chef and Author
Carla Hall
Celebrity Chef and Author
Carla Hall is an American chef, television personality and former model. She appeared in the fifth and eighth seasons of Top Chef, Bravo's cooking competition show. She was a cohost on The Chew, a one-hour talk show centered on food from all angles, which premiered on ABC in September 2011
Rohani Foulkes
Developer Expert
Rohani Foulkes
Developer Expert
Rohani Foulkes, Co-Founder & Co-Owner of Folk, an artisanal café located in Corktown that specializes in seasonal, made-from-scratch comfort foods and healthful beverages.
Chris William
Lucille's
Chris William
Lucille's
Chris Williams was always destined to be a chef; he simply didn’t know it yet. Drawn to study food from a young age, he attended Le Cordon Blue in Austin, Texas and soon began traveling around the world working in eateries in Lithuania, England, the U.S. and all points in between. His insatiable hunger to learn everything about world cuisine unexpectedly led him back to his own family tree. Chef Williams’ named his restaurant after his great-grandmother, Lucille Bishop Smith, who was an educator, culinary innovator and successful entrepreneur. In August 2012, Lucille’s opened in a 1923 Mission-style home on a quiet, tree-lined street in the Museum District. While Chef Williams’ inventive and distinctively southern culinary style means diners will always be delighted by unexpected pairings, often inspired by his travels, Lucille’s legendary chili biscuits will always be on the menu.