A Welcome Reception and “Dine About Harrisburg” opened the Conference on the first day. On February 27, the program included a keynote address by Joe Conti, CEO, PA Liquor Control Board, 12 informational workshops, a student Culinary Career Day and a ServSafe Class ® for those needing the State required certification to operate a food service establishment. A Food Show, held in partnership with Sysco of Central PA and PA Preferred, was also part of the Conference program during the day.

Select wineries, that are members of the Pennsylvania Winery Association, were offered to participate a tasting of their best wines at the “Pennsylvania Home Grown Celebrity Chef's” Reception. The “Pennsylvania Home Grown Celebrity Chef's Dinner” offered four courses prepared by the very capable culinary team of the Hilton, using recipes of and under the direct supervision of some very noted Chefs, including Chef Walter Scheib, former Executive Chef of the White House and Culinary Partner with Hershey Entertainment and Resorts; Chef Mike Yancy of the Governor's Residence; Chef Alison Barshak Alison of Blue Bell, and Chef's Daryl Harmon & Chad Durkin of The Waterworks, Philadelphia.

In all, twenty-two expert chefs and culinary professionals offered educational presentations at the Conference. The event closed on Thursday February 28th with an Iron Chef Competition with some of the most noted Pennsylvania chefs participating. The team of Mark Palowski, The Yorktowne Hotel, David Stolzfus, Hilton Inn at Penn, Michael Geary, Holiday Inn Conference Center, and James Batterson,Sheraton Harrisburg/Hershey prevailed at the second year in a row being named, “Iron Chef of Pennsylvania.”

The third annual Food & Beverage Conference will be take place February 16 & 17, 2009, at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, PA.