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Chef de Cuisine, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Chef

Kelsey Barnard Clark is a chef, entrepreneur, lifestyle tastemaker, and co-star of Netflix’s newest culinary competition, Next Gen Chef.  Her Modern Southern voice is redefining what it means to gather with purpose and style. Born and raised in Dothan, Alabama, Kelsey blends her culinary expertise, love of design, passion for hospitality, and deep Southern roots into a brand that’s as inspiring as it is approachable.

She rose to national recognition as the first Southerner and fifth woman to win Bravo’s Top Chef, where she was also named the season’s sole fan favorite. In 2024, she was nominated for a James Beard Award for Best Chef: South and continues to appear regularly on Food Network hits like Tournament of Champions, Chopped, Bobby’s Triple Threat, and Guy’s Grocery Games.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America and honing her skills at Michelin-starred kitchens in New York—including Café Boulud under Gavin Kaysen and Dovetail under John Fraser—Kelsey returned home in 2012 to launch Kelsey Barnard Catering and open her restaurant KBC in downtown Dothan. Her signature Southern-French cuisine, inspired by heirloom family recipes and classical technique, remains at the heart of everything she does.

But Kelsey’s talents extend far beyond the kitchen. She’s a devoted gardener, floral designer, home entertainer, and self-taught interior stylist, known for her innate ability to make everyday moments beautiful and meaningful. Whether she’s setting a table, harvesting vegetables from her backyard, or arranging flowers for her restaurant and home, Kelsey inspires others to live well and gather often.

Her passion for community and connection runs deep: Kelsey is a dedicated mentor and advocate for underrepresented voices in the hospitality industry and proudly hires and supports formerly incarcerated individuals as part of her commitment to second chances and equitable opportunity.

She is the author of two cookbooks—Southern Grit (2021) and Southern Get-Togethers (2024)—and a third, Flavor of Fire, due to hit bookshelves in the Spring of 2026.

When she’s not running her business, Kelsey may be found running after her two young children, Monroe and Evelyn June—along with their two dogs, a cat, and 15 chickens—often hosting friends, cooking barefoot in her kitchen, or throwing an impromptu party in their lovingly restored 1940s home.

Kelsey shares her world—equal parts food, family, florals, and fun—on Instagram at @kelseybarnardclark.

Managing Partner, Connors Davis Hospitality, LLC

Brian P. Connors is a visionary leader and industry innovator with over two decades of expertise in hospitality, higher education, and business development. As Managing Partner of Connors Davis Hospitality, LLC, Brian has been instrumental in developing transformative strategies and forging strategic partnerships with premier hospitality and beverage brands worldwide. His consulting portfolio includes high-impact projects for global corporations such as Bacardi North America, Royal Caribbean International, and Sandals Resorts International. Brian is the Director of Innovation & Strategy and a lead facilitator for Accelerating Leaders, that collaborates with industry and academia to design cutting-edge solutions for operational training, leadership development, and educational resources. He is also an Advisory Board Member for growth and partnerships for Cecilia.ai. the world’s first interactive bartender utilizing artificial intelligence.

Previously, Brian served as the Senior Director of Global Food & Beverage Innovation and Founding Faculty Director of the Bacardi Center of Excellence at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. During his tenure, he established the groundbreaking Bacardi Spirits Management Major and launched innovative digital learning platforms such as Future Proof and BacardiTeach. He also hosted the acclaimed BacardiTalks series and the 2 Barstools & a Knife podcast. Brian managed the Bacardi Innovations Fund, which introduced Cecilia.ai, the world’s first interactive robot bartender, a project that garnered national attention on NBC’s Today Show, FOX & Friends, and other international media outlets.

A recognized thought leader, Brian was named one of the "30 Most Influential Educators in Global Hospitality" by The International Hospitality Institute in 2023 and was invited to deliver a TEDx Talk, sharing his insights on innovation and risk-taking in a presentation titled “Be Curious & Take Risks.”

Brian’s extensive consulting work spans various sectors, including independent and multi-unit restaurant groups, hotels, resorts, entertainment venues, private clubs, hospitality REITs, the mega yacht industry, and global cruise brands. As the Wine Consultant for Celebrity Cruises, he played a pivotal role in developing their award-winning beverage programs and trained one of the largest teams of Sommeliers worldwide across a fleet of ten ships.

An engaging speaker, Brian is frequently invited to present at national forums on topics such as innovative education, food and beverage trends, modern wine education, strategic marketing, and leadership. His expertise has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Trip of a Lifetime and in numerous national television and print media outlets.

Brian holds a master’s degree from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, a Bachelor of Science from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University and has a degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University. He is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW), an International Bordeaux Wine Educator (IBWE), and a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE). Additionally, he has trained for his Sommelier certification at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and is certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Founding Member of Chefs Feeding Kids

Chef de Cuisine, Disney’s BoardWalk

Chef de Cuisine - Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa