PAST EVENTS
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PAST EVENTS 〰️
Stories We Serve:
Diaspora at the Table
In September 2026, we hosted a celebratory cocktail party and conversation at Moongate Lounge to shine a light on the diverse cuisine and culinary landscape within the Bay Area and West Coast region. Chefs Brandon Jew (Mister Jiu's), Heena Patel (Besharam), Ahmed (Suli) Suliman (Café Suliman), and Reyna Maldonado (Las Guerraras) shared how they've navigated paying tribute to their heritage while staying true to themselves in the kitchen.
The Good, the Bad and The Automated: A Candid Conversation on Hospitality Technology
In August 2026, we teamed up with New Entity for a three-part panel series covering our BARC members' most-requested AI and tech-related questions. Areas of focus included operator efficiencies and guest benefits, AI that reflects your business values, and how specific operators are using AI to benefit their businesses. Hosted at Dandelion Chocolate's 16th Street Factory, the morning included a truffle-making workshop, a reminder that the best things in hospitality are always made by hand.
Coffee with the Mayor
In April 2026, we were so fortunate to have San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie spend the morning with our BARC community as we gathered over coffee and breakfast. During an intimate Q&A hosted at Penny Roma in the Mission District, Mayor Lurie answered the most pressing topics our industry community has been facing this year.
Centering the Margins
For our first BARC event of 2026, we teamed up with chef Reem Assil to host a breakfast event and panel at Reem's in the Mission District. Reem and La Cocina's Incubator Program Director Emiliana Puyana generously shared what true equity looks like in restaurants. Their inspiring one-on-one dialogue opened up a broader discussion about ways we can, collectively, break down institutional barriers that still exist within the industry.
BARC Business Series:
Financial Stability in 2026
In November 2025, we teamed up with Back Home Hospitality and their restaurant Via Aurelia for an essential panel conversation covering how to operate a more financially sound business in a challenging landscape for restaurants. We were so grateful to learn from our moderator Laurie Aaronson, Founder of AOC, San Francisco's most influential accounting firm, along with Matt Brewer (Co-Owner of Back Home Hospitality) and Laurie Thomas (Executive Director of GGRA).
Future Forward: Supporting the Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders
In September 2025, BARC collaborated with The Atomic Workshop Group (The Progress, Anchovy Bar and State Bird Provisions) for an inspiring discussion surrounding the best ways to support and inspire the new generation of hospitality employees. Hosted at The Progress, panelists included Atomic Workshop’s Elizabeth DePalmer + Nicole Krasinski; and Nixta Taqueria’s Sara Mardanbigi from Nixta Taqueria in Austin.
Queer Advocacy Panel
In June 2025, we celebrated Pride Month through a critical and eye-opening conversation about what it means to truly make our restaurants inclusive and welcoming spaces for all. We were so fortunate to learn from our speakers and collaborators Ollie K.C Liedags + Rachel Sillcocks (Hilda and Jesse); Blake Cole + Gaby Maeda (formerly of Friends & Family); and Seqouya Lee (a longtime leader in the Oakland beverage industry).