IDDBA 2025 is coming up June 1-3 in New Orleans, Louisiana, a star-studded event that will showcase the latest information, trends and products in the dairy, deli and bakery industries.
Academy Award-winning director, producer and actor Kevin Costner headlines the General Session speaker lineup, which also includes Michael Strahan, TV host, entrepreneur and philanthropist; Carla Hall, a Food Network star; and author and YouTube host, Claire Saffitz.
Costner has not only had a long career as an actor in a range of comedy, action and dramatic roles, but also as a producer and director. If that weren’t enough, Costner also sings lead vocals and plays lead guitar in his band, Modern West, which plays venues across the country. He also produced and co-authored The New York Times bestselling adventure novel, “The Explorers Guild.”
Strahan, in addition to being an NFL Hall of Famer, is a Peabody award-winning journalist and Emmy winner. He currently co-anchors ABC’s “Good Morning America,” serves as an analyst for “Fox NFL Sunday” and hosts ABC’s primetime game show “The $100,000 Pyramid.” He’s also an entrepreneur and author of “Wake Up Happy: The Dream Big, Win Big Guide to Transforming Your Life,” which includes personal stories and motivational advice. He’s also dedicated to charities including St. Jude’s.
“Michael’s success in television, as an entrepreneur and as a motivational speaker and author will bring the IDDBA 2025 audience an experience to remember,” said Jeremy Johnson, IDDBA’s VP of events.
According to IDDBA, Carla Hall first won over audiences when she competed on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and “Top Chef: All Stars” and shared her philosophy to always cook with love. She is a trained chef who has worked in several professional restaurant kitchens in and around the Washington, D.C., area. She also has been a TV talk show host and has authored cookbooks and a children’s book. In 2024 Hall was honored by Les Dames d’Escoffier as Grande Dame, a lifetime achievement award and honorary title given to members in recognition of extraordinary contributions within the fields of food, beverage and hospitality.
“Carla’s story of passion and belief that food connects us all is reflective of the people and industry IDDBA serves,” Johnson said.
Author and YouTube host Claire Saffitz also will take the stage during IDDBA 2025.
“As host of the YouTube channel baking show, Dessert Person, Claire reaches over one million subscribers, is a former Bon Appétit senior food editor and shares her love of food with audiences through her award-winning cookbooks and books,” IDDBA’s Johnson said.
Her first cookbook, “Dessert Person,” published in 2020 by Clarkson Potter, won the IACP Julia Child First Cookbook Award. Her second book, “What’s For Dessert,” published in 2022, was nominated for the James Beard Award. She also writes recipes and hosts videos for New York Times Cooking.
Saffitz was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and now lives in New York with her husband, cats and chickens.
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