Awardees represent eight food-away-from-home categories, from full-service restaurant to K-12 foodservice.

The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association announced winners of the 70th annual IFMA Silver Plate Award today, March 5.

This year’s recipients represent eight food-away-from-home categories. “This is the 70th year IFMA has presented Gold & Silver Plate Awards and it’s more important than ever that we celebrate the wide range of operations providing people with food-away-from-home. From schools and businesses to airports to retail to traditional restaurants, our industry is truly in every community in the nation,” says Phil Kafarakis, IFMA president and CEO, in the release.

The 2024 IFMA Silver Plate Winners are the following:

Grocery, Convenience & Specialty Retail: Jen and Jon Corto, owners/founders, Buffalo StriveTravel & Leisure: Roz Mallet, CEO and president, PhaseNext Hospitality
Business & Industry/Foodservice Management: Damian Monticello, director, enterprise hospitality and event services, GuideWell
Healthcare: David Reeves, system director, food and nutrition services, Lee Health
Independent Restaurants: Melvin Rodrigue, president, Galatoire’s Restaurant
Colleges & Universities: Kirk Rodriguez, senior director of hospitality services and the student union and activities, Texas Tech
Elementary & Secondary Schools: Aaron Smith, director of culinary services, Seattle Public Schools
Chain Full Service: Chris Tomasso, president and CEO, First Watch Restaurant Group

A jury of trade press editors and previous award winners chose the winners and one recipient will earn the IFMA Gold Plate, which will be announced during the IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration on May 18.

Source fermag.com