RCA Announces 2025 Conference

The Research Chef Association will gather in St. Louis, Missouri, from March 18-20, 2025, at the stunning St. Louis Union Station Hotel for the 2025 RCA Conference. RCA is excited to build upon the success of the 2024 conference by expanding with a larger conference venue and exposition area. As the premier source for Culinology® innovation for the food industry, RCA's annual conference is certain to draw chefs, food scientists and food industry professionals who are shaping the future of food research and development.

RCA Revitalization Continues at 2024 RCA Conference

RCA's revitalization was declared at the 2024 RCA Conference. Held March 5-7, 2024, in Quincy, Mass., the event drew more than 560 participants to discover how innovation fuels the core of Culinology® transformation.

Attendees gained a fresh perspective on the convergence of food science and culinary arts and engaged with industry experts for valuable education, practical demonstrations, and groundbreaking Culinology® innovations.

2019 RCA Conference Recognized as a High-Growth U.S. Trade Show

The 2019 RCA Conference, held March 13-15, 2019, in Louisville, Kentucky, was recognized in Trade Show Executive Magazine's Next 50, which recognizes growing trade shows held in the United States. The RCA Conference was honored in two categories:

The Next 50 – By Net Square Feet of Exhibit Space
The Next 50 – By Exhibiting Companies

Hosted RCA Powered Up in light of COVID-19

RCA Powered Up was a digital transformation of the 2020 RCA Conference, leveraging the innovation of online learning delivery to meet the needs and interests of the RCA community from the comfort of their homes, offices, labs and kitchens.

The RCA Event in Napa

The RCA Event in Napa brought together an exclusive group of product developers and innovation specialists to take part in a two-day, hands-on experience at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia during harvest season.

2019 RCA Conference Attendees Raise $19,500 for the CEF

The professional headshot booth, Food Truck Friday and live auction at the Thoroughbred Awards Reception and Gala all helped to raise more than $19,500! Your generosity directly supports qualified students and professionals pursuing higher learning and continuing education in Culinology®.

RCA Hosts the First Culinology® Cocktail Competition

The first-ever Culinology® Cocktail Competition, sponsored by Flavor Dynamics, Inc., took place at the RCA After Dark where participants competed to create the best cocktail.

On March 15, 2017, RCA reveals its new corporate positioning and identity. The launch of a new identity allows the association to transform with the industry today and in the future.

The first-ever Culinology textbook: Culinology® — The Intersection of Culinary Art and Food Science (Wiley, 2016) is published

On October 18, 2016, RCA celebrates its 20th anniversary!

$180,000 awarded to date in scholarship monies by RCF

RCA launches its new, online member community, RCA Connect

RCA hosts its inaugural Professional Culinology® Competition

RCA celebrates its 15-year anniversary

The first international Bachelor's Degree in Culinology launched at Taylor's University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

CA certifies more than 200 CRC®s and CCS®s

More than 40 students graduate from RCA-approved Culinology® degree programs

Total scholarship grants awarded by RCF since inception: $80,000

Bill "Pops" Hahne Memorial Scholarship instituted

First RCA-approved high school level Culinology® program established at Bergen County Technical High School in Teterboro, NJ

Michelle Block Memorial Scholarship instituted

RCA hosts its inaugural Student Culinology® Competition

RCA membership reaches 2,000

RCA Lifetime Achievement Award initiated

Second Culinology® 101 workshop for chefs at Johnson & Wales University

Donald Moss earns first bachelor’s degree in Culinology® from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Launch of CULINOLOGY® magazine

Certification Commission (RCACC) formed to oversee certification programs

Research Chefs Foundation (RCF) formed to provide educational scholarships

RCA membership reaches 1,200

Certified Culinary Scientist (CCS®) logo created and criteria established

First Culinary Arts for Food Scientists class held at the CIA in Hyde Park, NY

Culinology® becomes a registered trademark of RCA

First Culinology® 101 class for chefs held at Rutgers University

The term Culinology® is born

First stand-alone RCA Annual Conference held in New Orleans, LA

First four CRC®s announced at the annual conference: Dan Sortwell, Skip Julius, Greg Grisanti and Joe O'Connor

RCA membership reaches 500

Certified Research Chef (CRC®) logo created and criteria established

RCA hosts their first stand-alone conference in Chantilly, VA

Second RCA Annual Conference held in Kansas City, MO

RCA hosts its first Annual Conference in Cleveland, OH

The Research Chefs Association (RCA) is founded

Approximately 50 R&D members of the American Culinary Federation gather during Annual Convention to formulate the concept of an association to meet the specific needs of the research chef

RCA's Association Bylaws were written and the first Board of Directors was elected