Every sponsor and ticket helps fund mental health support, chef retreats, and storytelling that reminds the people who feed us that they matter too.

Event Information

YES, CHEF! BEHIND THE APRON™️ 2026

Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2026

Location: Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Macungie, Pennsylvania

Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Guests will enjoy an evening of culinary experiences, storytelling, community connection, recognition of hospitality professionals, fundraising activities, and the unveiling of the 2027 Yes, Chef! Behind the Apron™️ calendar.

Together, we will celebrate the people who help make our community stronger—one meal, one experience, and one story at a time.

How funds will be used.

Mental Health & Wellness

Partnership with Knickischer + Associates Through our partnership with Nickischer + Associates, Yes, Chef! Behind the Apron™ is expanding access to mental health education, wellness resources, and supportive programming created specifically for hospitality professionals. Together, we're building a culture where asking for help is encouraged and no one faces life's challenges alone.

Nickischer + Associates

Aprons Off! Retreats

Through our partnership with Copper House Events, hospitality professionals step away from the demands of the kitchen and into a peaceful environment designed for rest, reflection, and renewal. Together, we're creating restorative retreat experiences that foster meaningful connections, encourage personal well-being, and remind those who spend their lives caring for others to care for themselves.

CopperHouse Events

The Impact

Through powerful photography and authentic storytelling, we celebrate the people behind the apron while helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Together with community partners, we support food insecurity initiatives that strengthen our region and inspire compassion, connection, and hope. The overwhelming response from our community—including two consecutive sold-out events—reflects the growing movement to support those who dedicate their lives to serving others.

Attend/Sponsor

Community

Yes, Chef! Behind the Apron™️ is bringing powerful conversations about mental health, resilience, and hospitality to audiences throughout the region and beyond. Through keynote presentations, conferences, culinary schools, restaurants, industry associations, and community events, Elaine Zelker shares the inspiring stories behind the project while encouraging open dialogue, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, and reminding those in hospitality that they are not alone. To book Elaine Zelker for a keynote, conference, culinary program, association meeting, or community event, visit www.yeschefbehindtheapron.com or contact elaine@yeschefbehindtheapron.com.

Contack/Book

What we do and what we've done.

OUR MISSION

Behind every plate is a person.

Yes, Chef! Behind the Apron™️ exists to shine a light on the people who feed our communities while supporting the mental health and well-being of those working in the hospitality industry.

Through powerful portraits, personal storytelling, retreats, community events, and wellness initiatives, we help chefs and hospitality professionals feel seen, heard, and supported.

The culinary world is built on passion, creativity, and service—but too often it comes with stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, and isolation. Our mission is to create meaningful conversations, provide resources, and build a community where asking for help is viewed as strength, not weakness.