Journalists, editors and food entrepreneurs from across Los Angeles will discuss all topics food-related. This event brings together well-known reporters and creators for a vibrant event about all the ways food and the food systems touch our lives. 

The conference will include a pitch workshop, one-on-one interviews with the most interesting people in food, and big picture discussions about how journalists and creators talk about food in 2026.

Space is limited. 

*A limited number of scholarships are available for those who need financial support. If you'd like to apply for a scholarship, please reach out to info@lareportingcollective.org and elaborate about your financial assistance need.

Who Should Attend

• Food writers, critics and storytellers interested in covering the local scene

• Investigative journalists trying to better understand something that touches everyone's lives

• Freelancers, creators and independent journalists looking to build community

• Editors and newsroom leaders searching for  underreported stories

• People working across food systems (restaurants, policy, advocacy)

• Students and early-career journalists

What to Expect

Opening Talk: Food Stories Hiding in Plain Sight
A dynamic look at what counts as a “food story,” featuring rapid-fire examples that reveal how food intersects with immigration, environment, housing, religion, health, climate, technology, and more.

Panel: What Editors Actually Want
Editors from leading LA outlets share real examples of strong pitches, common mistakes, and what makes a story stand out in today’s media landscape.

Interactive Workshop: Developing Food Story Pitches
Breakout sessions led by panelists where participants work through guided exercises to generate and refine story ideas, focusing on key questions and angles.

Panel: Food on Camera
A conversation with LA-based creators and video storytellers on how they choose stories, build trust with audiences, and bring food culture to life through visual media.

One-on-One Conversations: People Shaping LA’s Food Landscape
Small group conversations led by moderators, offering a more intimate setting to engage directly with journalists, creators, and others working across LA’s food systems.

+ a curated lunch!

Participants include:

Robert J. Lopez (James Beard Media Award Nominee), Laurie Ochoa (LA Times), Javier Cabral (LA TACO), Frank Shyong (Lunch Box), Erick Galindo (The LA Local), Fernando Hurtado (In the Hyphen), Oscar Garza (USC) and more.