Celebrating Excellence: The 2026 Silver Plate Award Winners Recognized in Foodservice Industry

Celebrating Excellence: The 2026 Silver Plate Award Winners

The Food Away from Home Association (IFMA) recently announced the latest recipients of its prestigious Silver Plate Awards. Celebrating its 72nd year, this program continues to honor exceptional leadership within the foodservice sector. The awards have been a fixture in the industry since their inception in 1954, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions and who exemplify excellence in service and innovation.

On May 16, 2026, the Silver Plate Awards Ceremony will take place in the historic Great Hall of Chicago's Union Station, where accolades will be presented to nine exceptional leaders representing various segments of the food-away-from-home industry. This year’s winners were selected from a competitive pool of nominees by a panel composed of esteemed trade editors and prior awardees, ensuring that the selections truly reflect industry excellence.

2026 Silver Plate Award Winners by Category:

1. Business Industry/Foodservice Management: Sally Minier, Head of Workplace Strategies at Jane Street, nominated by PepsiCo.
2. Chain Full Service: Jerry Morgan, CEO and Executive Vice Chairman of Texas Roadhouse, nominated by The Coca-Cola Company and Ecolab.
3. Chain Limited Service: Scott Murphy, Chief Brand Officer of Inspire Brands and Dunkin’ Brand President, nominated by PepsiCo.
4. Colleges & Universities: Jeff Palmer, Executive Director of Campus Dining Retail at the University of California, San Diego, nominated by Hormel Foods and PepsiCo.
5. Elementary & Secondary Schools: Danielle Bock, Director for Nutrition Services at Greeley-Evans School District #6 in Colorado, nominated by Nestlé Professional and J.M. Smucker Co.
6. Grocery, Convenience, & Specialty Retail: Brad Haga, SVP of Prepared Food and Dispensed Beverages at Casey's, nominated by Nestlé Professional.
7. Healthcare: Leisa Bryant, Executive Director at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, nominated by Ecolab, ITW, and PepsiCo.
8. Independent Restaurants: Chip Wade, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, nominated by Nestlé Professional and PepsiCo.
9. Travel & Leisure Foodservice: Sean Gamble, President and CEO of Cinemark, nominated by The Coca-Cola Company.

Phil Kafarakis, President and CEO of IFMA, expressed his enthusiasm about the honorees. He remarked, “It’s an honor to celebrate our industry by recognizing leadership, hard work, and commitment through these Awards. Our honorees come from diverse backgrounds and demonstrate how a career in foodservice can profoundly impact businesses and communities.” Kafarakis emphasized that each of the nine winners shares a relentless dedication to food excellence and service, highlighting the core values of the profession.

The Gold Plate Award, considered the highest accolade in the industry, will also be announced during the ceremony. This event not only recognizes the achievements of these remarkable individuals but also serves as a gathering for esteemed past winners and industry luminaries to connect, share insights, and inspire the next generation of foodservice professionals.

Through events like the Silver Plate Awards, IFMA continues to foster growth and innovation within the food-away-from-home sector, empowering its members to push the boundaries of excellence. The awards ceremony is open to all industry stakeholders, reinforcing a strong network among professionals.

For more information, and to join in the celebration of the 2026 Silver Plate award winners, you can visit the official IFMA website at foodaway.org.

Celebrate with us on May 16th as we honor extraordinary contributions that enrich our communities through exceptional foodservice!