Author of 'Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine' | Expert on Culinary History and Culture | Dynamic Speaker on Food, Faith, and African American Heritage

Adrian Miller Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Author of 'Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine' | Expert on Culinary History and Culture | Dynamic Speaker on Food, Faith, and African American Heritage

Speaking Fee:

$10,000 to $20,000

Travels From:

Contact Us for Primary Airport

Primary Topic Category:

Chefs / Culinary / Food & WIne

Secondary Topic Category:

African American & Black

Adrian Miller Speaker Profile: At A Glance

Adrian Miller is a two-time James Beard Award–winning author, professional speaker, culinary historian, and former attorney who served as a White House advisor. Known for his humor, insight, and deep scholarship, Adrian uses food as a lens to explore history and identity—sparking inclusive dialogue, illuminating cultural complexity, and inspiring authentic leadership. His keynotes are a powerful fit for DEI initiatives, executive events, university programming, and teams ready for fresh, story-driven approaches to transformation.

Adrian Miller, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), is a two-time James Beard Award-winning culinary author, certified barbecue judge, and recovering attorney based in Denver, Colorado. As a Certified Speaking Professional, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association, he is recognized for sustained excellence, professionalism, and impact on the speaking stage. A graduate of Stanford University and Georgetown University Law Center, Adrian began his career in public service. From 1999 to 2001, he served as a special assistant to President Bill Clinton with the Initiative for One America – the first free-standing office in the White House to address issues of racial, religious and ethnic reconciliation. He later worked as a senior policy analyst for Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Jr. Adrian has authored four acclaimed books examining soul food, barbecue history, and the stories of chefs who shaped presidential cuisine. His work has earned two James Beard Awards and numerous national honors. His most recent book, Cooking to the President’s Taste, published by the White House Historical Association in 2025, expands his scholarship into Asian heritage chefs in White House history. He currently serves as executive director of the Colorado Council of Churches and recently co-curated the exhibit “Proclaiming Colorado’s Black History,” at the Museum of Boulder, now on view at the El Pueblo History Museum.

Presidential Food

- Black Chefs in the White House An entertaining and informative exploration of the African Americans who have cooked for U.S. presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama. Adrian spotlights the lives and contributions of these talented men and women, with highlights from his book The President’s Kitchen Cabinet. Upon request, he can customize this presentation to focus on the culinary legacies of specific presidents. - Leadership Lessons from the White House Kitchen This engaging presentation helps teams bond over stories of food and presidential history. Through memorable anecdotes, Adrian reveals how lessons from the White House kitchen can inspire leadership, teamwork, and resilience. - A Liquid History of the U.S. Presidency An intriguing overview of the favorite drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, of U.S. presidents, this presentation dives into cocktails, coffee, soft drinks, and the selection of wines for White House state dinners. Adrian places special emphasis on the drinking habits of presidents from Washington to Trump. - An Edible History of White House State Dinners A captivating journey through state dinners hosted by various presidential administrations, this presentation covers everything from menu planning to table settings and decor. Adrian offers a behind-the-scenes look at iconic dinners hosted by presidents from Jefferson to Obama. - Women Chefs in the White House Most of the cooks in presidential history have been women. Highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of those female chefs, Adrian shares stories of the women who have cooked for presidents, including Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, FDR, Truman, and LBJ.

Soul Food

- Soul Food: Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future of America’s Culinary Gem Tracing soul food’s journey from West Africa to the American West, Adrian offers a fresh look at this iconic cuisine and its evolution. He delves into the cultural significance of soul food from its origins through Emancipation and beyond, and explores how it remains vibrant and relevant today. This presentation draws on his James Beard Award-winning book, Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time.

Barbecue

- Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue In this fascinating look at American barbecue culture, Adrian reveals how African Americans became the standard-bearers of barbecue. He traces its roots from Native American, European, and West African traditions and highlights signature dishes, ending with insights on current and future trends in barbecue. - The History of Barbecue Adrian Miller presents a brief history of barbecue’s origins in the American South, followed by an overview of its regional styles, from the Carolinas to Kansas City and Texas. He also shares his personal journey of becoming a certified barbecue judge.

Intersections of Food & Faith

- The Theology of Barbecue This fun exploration of barbecue’s role in American church life delves into its regional “denominations,” profiles churches that run barbecue restaurants, and introduces pastors who double as pitmasters. - The Theology of Soul Food Adrian traces how soul food evolved from a cultural term rooted in spirituality to an iconic cuisine, shaped by African American church life. He explores the deep ties between soul food, faith, and African American identity as it spread from the rural South to cities nationwide. Adrian also speaks on a range of culinary history topics, including Chicken and Waffles, Hot Sauce, Macaroni and Cheese, Shalom Soul (the links between Jewish food and soul food), and Soda Pop and Other Soft Drinks.

Cultural Heritage & Reconciliation

- Juneteenth: The Latest Word on Freedom This presentation offers an in-depth look at Emancipation celebrations that emerged in the nineteenth century and what they meant to African Americans. Adrian takes your audience on the journey through Juneteenth’s origin, history, significance, and food traditions, as well as the social justice issues that continue to resonate today. - From Borrowing to Belonging: Real Talk on Culture, Respect, and Unity What’s the difference between borrowing, stealing, and celebrating culture, and why does it matter? In this interactive session, Adrian breaks down how cultural appropriation happens, how it makes people feel, and how culture can be shared in ways that build respect instead of anger. Using real examples from fashion, food, music, slang, and everyday life, learn how to spot when cultural borrowing crosses the line, and discover practical ways that young people can foster real understanding and unity, not just trends. Drawing on his work in faith, food writing, law, politics, and racial reconciliation, Adrian gives you tools for building meaningful connections with others.

What is Adrian Miller's speaking fee?

Adrian Miller's speaking fee typically ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. The lower end usually applies to virtual engagements, while the higher end is for in-person events in the US. However, fees may exceed this range for a variety of reasons, like extended activities or international travel. Other factors such as popularity, career stage, and current demand can also influence the final fee.

For an accurate and up-to-date quote based on your specific event details, please contact Gotham Artists. We will provide detailed information and assistance to ensure you have the latest fee structure.

Why Book Adrian Miller with Gotham Artists?

Booking Adrian Miller with Gotham ensures a seamless and personalized experience for your event. We’re dedicated to connecting audiences with top-tier talent, ensuring each event is not only successful but memorable. Here’s why you should choose Gotham Artists:

Expertise and Experience: With over a decade in the industry, we have the expertise to match the perfect speaker to any event, whether corporate, educational, non-profit, or private.

Personalized Service: We take a personalized approach, diving deep into the specifics of your event to recommend speakers that resonate with your audience.

Dedicated Support: From initial consultation to event day logistics, we provide comprehensive support, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Our dedicated team ensures that everyone is in the right place at the right time, and their fast response times guarantee you get accurate information quickly.

How Do I Know if Adrian Miller is the Right Keynote Speaker for My Event?

We get it: Choosing the right keynote speaker is essential. Our team can provide personalized recommendations to ensure your event is a success. Here are key factors to consider:

Expertise: Ensure the speaker’s knowledge aligns with your event’s theme or industry.

Engagement: Look for a speaker who can captivate and inspire your audience.

Testimonials: Check past client reviews for insights into the speaker’s impact and reliability.

Budget and Availability: Confirm the speaker’s fees fit your budget and they are available for your event date.

Customization: See if the speaker can tailor their message to suit your audience.

For assistance in finding the perfect speaker, contact us . Click the “Check Availability” button to get started.

How Far in Advance Do I Need To Book Adrian Miller?

The sooner, the better! In general, it’s best to book your keynote speaker as early as you can. Whether you know Adrian Miller is your best choice, or are open to other fantastic options, speakers are in high demand and calendars fill up fast. If your event is during a busy season, early booking is especially crucial.

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help you make your event a success!

Adrian Miller | Professional Speaker, Award-Winning Author, & Culinary Historian

"Our Juneteenth presentation just ended and we are already receiving rave reviews. It was excellent, informative, interesting, and entertaining. Adrian is so knowledgeable, kind, and clever that our moderators and viewers deeply engaged with him like we do not often get a chance to see. [Trinity is] so great at what [she does] that this program felt easy to produce. Many thanks to [them] both – we hope to soon have an opportunity to work with [them] again." - Nichole Olajuwon, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Holland & Knight LLP "Wow! Adrian blew us away and exceeded all expectations. Adrian was able to deliver content on the challenging topics of race, racism, and slavery while infusing humor to make it approachable. Working with Adrian and Trinity has been a pleasure. They insured all details and timeline were confirmed to make for a professional and successful experience." - April Lambatos, Owner & COO, Footers Catering at Social Capitol "[Adrian’s] warm and engaging presence made an immediate impact. [His] presentation was both educational and entertaining, and he generously took the time to answer each question thoughtfully, displaying a casual and approachable demeanor that left everyone inspired. [Trinity’s] support made the entire process a smooth, seamless, and straightforward experience from start to finish. We would be thrilled to welcome Mr. Miller back anytime." - Cindy Logan, Kansas State University "Working with Adrian was nothing short of delightful. His professionalism, knowledge, and stories of both, his time at the White House and the history of the event we recreated was beyond educational. From start to finish, his involvement in this collaboration created a truly special evening for all of those involved." - Maximilian Shapiro, General Manager, etc. Restaurant Chicago

This is provided for informational purposes. Gotham does not represent these speakers exclusively. All information is subject to change, including fees. if this is your speaker page and you would like this page updated or removed please contact us and we will respond within 24 hours.

Adrian Miller Speaking Fee: $10,000 to $20,000

Travels From:

Contact Us for Primary Airport

Primary Topic Category:

Chefs / Culinary / Food & WIne

Secondary Topic Category:

African American & Black

Adrian Miller Speaker Profile: At A Glance

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