Far from being relegated to weekend PBS programming like in years past, today’s TV chefs are now established members of the glitterati, posing on red carpets and attending (not catering!) the hottest parties. Culinary professionals have become big name TV personalities thanks to the popularity of shows like Top Chef, Chopped, and Iron Chef. Many of these chefs and restaurant owners, who had never touched Twitter before, have parlayed their newfound fame into successful ventures by taking advantage of active digital fan bases to cultivate their brand. In addition to freshly sharpened knives and spot-on palettes, chefs now rely on social media and other digital outlets to interact with fans, grow their customer base and, ultimately, make a living.

Emily Keeton of Flavour, will lead a panel discussion with celebrity chefs and culinary culture experts to discuss the role of technology in the rise of celebrity chef culture.