Saturday, May 16, 2026 |Chicago

 

For over seven decades, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association has honored inspirational operators from across foodservice with our annual Gold & Silver Plate Awards. It is our continuing privilege to host the best of the best at the industry’s longest-standing celebration. 

In May, join hundreds of leaders from across the food-away-from-home ecosystem in the Great Hall at Chicago's historic Union Station as we induct a new cohort of remarkable industry icons into the pantheon of the Gold & Silver Plate Society.   

It will be an evening combining tradition and innovation as we host industry luminaries, share great food and drink, and hear all about the incredible careers of this year’s Silver Plate honorees from their professional mentors.

To top off the evening, the winner of the 2026 Gold Plate will be revealed – always a highpoint of the celebration!    

2020-2025 Gold Plate Winners

Kevin Hochman
CEO, Brinker International
Chris Tomasso
CEO, First Watch
Jessica Shelley
Director of Student Dining Services, Cincinnati Public Schools
Lance Trenary
Persident & CEO, Golden Corral
Antoinette "Toni" Watkins
Director of Food & Nutrition Services, Riverside Health System
Phill Hickey
Chairman, Miller’s Ale House Restaurants

Here’s a Snippet of What to Expect

TRAILER

2025 WINNER

HISTORY

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Articles

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Joe R. Lee, the Gold Plate winner who built Darden Restaurants, dies at 85

Joe R. Lee, whose role in building out the industry sector now known as casual dining earned him the Gold Plate award in 1988, has died at age 85.

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Life after the Gold and Silver Plate awards

The smarts that earned restaurant executives a Silver Plate have put them in demand as board of director appointees. Recent weeks have led to at least three past winners being named to the lofty advisory positions.

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Silver Plate winners are showing up on bookshelves

The celebrated achievements of two former Silver Plate winners are earning the veritable hall-of-famers a shot at new notoriety via the bookcase.

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Catching up with Julia Stewart, Class of 2005

After climbing to the loftiest heights of the chain-restaurant business, former IHOP and Applebee’s chief Julia Stewart is back in an entrepreneurial role. The 2005 Silver Plate winner (Chain-Full Service) has founded a healthcare technology business

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GSP Society members at CIA Leadership Awards

Gold & Silver Plate winners were out in force at the Culinary Institute of America’s 18th Annual Leadership Awards, a celebration of what the “Harvard of Foodservice” calls the industry’s tastemakers.

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From the vault: How Ted Minah changed the C&U segment

Minah's head-turning work would earn him a Silver Plate in the College & Universities category in 1968.

What to Expect

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Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors

Event Details 

Chicago Union Station: Great Hall
500 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60661

Date/Time:
Saturday, May 16, 2026
5:30pm CDT

The Evening's Programming:
5:30-6:30p – Cocktail Hour 
6:30-8:30p – Dinner & Awards Program 
8:30p – Dessert Lounge

Attire: Formal Attire

Tables & Ticket Cost 

Table (8 seats): $6,295

Individual Ticket: $695

GSP Society Members and Food Leadership Council Operator Members: Complimentary ticket for themselves and a significant other

Please note: IFMA The Food Away from Home Association reviews all requests for complimentary operator member tickets to ensure that they adhere to standards established by the Board of Directors. The Association reserves the right to request additional information and may decline any non-qualified operator member ticket.

Cancellation/Transfer Policy

Due to high-demand and reserved seating, this event is non-refundable. Questions about payment or to pay via invoice: Contact Sandra Sierra at sandra@IFMAworld.com.

Selection Process 

Every year, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association puts out a call and receives a large slate of nominations from its membership and the industry for Silver Plate Awards. This year, we made revisions to the form, simplifying the process – and resulting in a larger number of candidates!

Education Foundation
Our Education Foundation is committed to giving support to qualified culinary, marketing, supply chain, and food science students. The Education Foundation distributes 100% of its contributions for ongoing growth of the food-away-from-home industry to promote the next generation of leaders.
Gold & Silver Plate Society
Society members, comprised of past Gold and Silver Plate winners, gather annually at the Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration in Chicago. During this time members welcome a new class of award recipients in addition to reconnecting with past winners.