Research Chefs Association

06/18/2026

Join the Rocky Mountain Region of the RCA for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes technical tour of the Rocky Mountain Spice Company facility and R&D test kitchen.

This interactive afternoon offers a firsthand look at commercial spice blending, custom formulation workflows, and industrial scaling. Following the facility tour, we will head into the R&D test kitchen for an exclusive series of taste tests followed by deliciously crafted mocktails.

Whether you are looking to talk shop about emulsion stability, flavor modulation, or simply network with fellow industry professionals in the Denver area, this event is the perfect blend of technical insights and community connection.

📅 Friday, June 26
📍 3850 Nome St A, Denver, CO 80239
🕰️ 2:00 - 4:00 PM Mountain Time
💲 FREE

Register by June 25: https://buff.ly/7OuAV97



Thank you Kalsec Inc. for supporting year-round RCA events.

06/17/2026

Join the RCA Northern California region for a virtual webinar with Dr. Johnny Drain, an internationally recognized expert on the future of food, sustainable innovation, and fermentation. Johnny’s talks blend scientific curiosity, entrepreneurial creativity, and real-world impact, distilling complex ideas into engaging, actionable strategies.

📅 Monday, August 17th
🕰️ 9 - 10:30 AM PST
📍 Virtual
💲 Members $5 | Non Members $10 | Students $5

Register: https://buff.ly/WROf0ow



Thank you Kalsec Inc. for supporting year-round RCA events.

06/17/2026

Connect with RCA at the ACF National Convention 🌟

Connect with RCA at Booth 541 and join our RCA Presents featured session, Culinary Gold Standards: Turning Culinary Inspiration Into Commercial Flavor Systems. Learn from food product developers how chef-crafted dishes are transformed into scalable consumer products while maintaining culinary integrity and flavor.

📅 July 1
🕓 4:15–5:15 PM ET
📍 Grand Gallery C, Grand Rapids Convention Center

Stop by Booth 541 to learn more about Culinology® and how RCA supports food innovation professionals who are shaping the future of food!

The Research Chefs Association is the leading professional community for food research and development. Our members are the pioneers of the discipline of Culinology — the blending of culinary arts and the science of food. Founded in 1996, RCA is the professional home for chefs, food scientists, and other industry professionals who are shaping the future of food research and development.

Visit Culinology.org to connect with RCA, the community shaping the future of food: https://ow.ly/mWjc50Z7I69

06/16/2026

RCA Chicagoland members and guests attended a regional event at the College of DuPage Culinary & Hospitality Center in Glen Ellyn, IL on Tuesday, June 2nd. The session featured Sweet Brown Flavors used in food and beverage product development.

💡 Edlong's Flavor Chemist, Principal Scientist & Corporate Research Chef shared insights about the aroma compounds used in this flavor category, typical sensory profile descriptors and how using these types of flavors can support various formulation goals.

🍽️ Samples of retail products in addition to lab-made samples were provided for the attendees to taste, compare and contrast.

📈 Edlong's Director of Marketing provided an overview of trending flavor profiles and consumer insights.

🤝 The evening concluded with a light meal and engaged networking opportunities.

Register for future RCA Regional Events: https://buff.ly/8Qn7RXu

06/15/2026

🎓 Ready to elevate your career in food product R&D? Become a Certified Research Chef (CRC®) with the Research Chefs Association. Here's how!

🔍 Check your Eligibility: CRC applicants must have a combination of educational, food service and R&D experience – check out the requirements here: https://buff.ly/vYY0Yc1

📝 Complete the Application: We launched a new, streamlined online application this year! Simply gather your professional and educational documentation, and fill out our one-page application. The RCA Certification Commission (RCACC) will review your application. Once approved, you can take the exam!

📚️ Prepare for the Exam: The RCACC is pleased to offer multiple tools to help you prepare for the exam, including featured workshops & courses (https://buff.ly/4K84Qoa), a study guide, and a practice test (https://buff.ly/AP0aRyQ).

🖥️ Take the Exam: Exams take place via an online, remote proctoring service. Pass the exam with a minimum of 80% to earn the CRC title!

Learn more and apply today: https://buff.ly/pjx2Yb8

06/11/2026

The Research Chefs Association is excited to partner with the Refrigerated Foods Association (RFA)! Through this partnership, RCA members can attend RFA’s upcoming webcast at no cost by identifying themselves as RCA members during registration.

Date: June 17, 2026
Time: 2:00–3:00 PM Eastern
Cost: Free for RFA and RCA members

For more information and to register, visit RFA's Website: https://buff.ly/Nq312pp

After a standout presentation at this year’s RFA Annual Conference, Mike Kostyo of Menu Matters is back with new insights on consumer attitudes around ultra-processed foods.

Join us June 17 as he dives deeper into how consumers view UPFs, where they’re getting information, and what these evolving perceptions could mean for the food industry.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.refrigeratedfoods.org/rfa-technical-webcasts

06/10/2026

The Meet Your Chair series continues, highlighting the dedicated volunteers who support connection, collaboration, and innovation across RCA’s regional network. Today, meet Kevin Jenkins and Jehovany Guido, your Texas chairs.

🌟 Kevin is focused on building a community where culinary professionals across the state can connect, grow, and lead.

🌟 Jehovany looks forward to helping grow engagement within the Texas RCA community while championing education, creativity, and industry advancement.

Learn more about Kevin, Jehovany and our Regional Hubs: https://buff.ly/cUcdewW

06/09/2026

2 Weeks Away! 🚨

Join our Student and Young Professional Coffee Chat Series for a continuation of our previous discussion with Anna Cheely and Mike Kostyo on navigating current and emerging trends in product development. This informal, interactive session continues to explore how trends shape innovation in today’s food and beverage landscape through insights with industry professionals.

📅 Wednesday, June 24 from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Central Time
📍 Virtual
💲 Free

Register Today: https://buff.ly/nVwSPbI



Thank you Kalsec Inc. for supporting year-round RCA events.

06/09/2026

Join the RCA Ozarks to the Bayou region for The Ultimate Summer Grill Master: Crafting Perfect Sausages.

Join Chef Jules Carney of The Leaping Pig Charcuterie for a high-energy, 3-hour sausage-making session focused entirely on building the perfect links for the grill. This class moves beyond basic grinding to focus on emulsion stability, fat retention, and flavor development—the keys to a truly juicy, grill-ready sausage. You will master two distinctly different, yet universally loved, grill staples: a classic pork and a robust beef sausage.

📅 Wednesday, June 17, 2026
📍 Brightwater, 801 SE 8th Street Bentonville, AR 72712
💲 $75

Register today: https://buff.ly/r1eq8Ql



Thank you Kalsec Inc. for supporting year-round RCA events.