Lunch & Learn: The Culinary History of Dubuque

Dubuque’s food story is as rich and diverse as the community itself. In this Lunch & Learn, Convivium Urban Farmstead’s Culinary Resource Director, Chef Cena, will trace the city’s culinary evolution—from early immigrant influences to the traditions that continue to shape local kitchens today. Discover how Dubuque’s unique blend of cultures, resources, and innovations created a food identity all its own.

For participants planning to order food to eat during the presentation, please plan to arrive 15-20 minutes ahead to place your order at the coffeeshop counter. Your lunch will then be brought to you in the Learning Center to enjoy while you learn!

Registration is appreciated but not required for this free program.

Instructor Chef Cena, Convivium Urban Farmstead’s Culinary Resource Director, is a talented chef and a true force of nature. Whether she’s leading one of her many cooking classes, processing harvests in the training kitchen, or drafting her next Lunch and Learn, Cena brings energy, enthusiasm, and a passion for sharing everything she knows about food.

She began her culinary career at the age of sixteen and went on to serve as executive chef in two kitchens. Along the way she also earned a bachelor’s degree in history, a field she loves to intertwine with food in her engaging Lunch and Learn presentations.

Cena is an avid traveler, having explored Italy, Greece, France, and many parts of the U.S. Her travels continually inspire her creativity and deepen her appreciation for global cuisine. When she’s not at Convivium, Cena enjoys spending time with her husband, Ryan, and their four children: Dominic, Fiona, Evolette, and Sylvia.