IFMA Silver Plate Award Winners Announced

The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) announced the 2020 IFMA Silver Plate Award recipients yesterday at the 2020 IFMA Chain Operators EXchange (COEX) in New Orleans.

"IFMA's annual Gold & Silver Plate Awards honors the nation’s leading foodservice operator talent," according to the the announcement.

Silver Plate winners are nominated by IFMA members and industry leaders, then selected by a jury, composed of members of national trade press, foodservice experts and past Gold & Silver Plate award winners.

Then one Silver Plate winner is selected by the jury to receive IFMA’s Gold Plate Award, revealed during the 66th annual Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration in Chicago May 16.

2020 Silver Plate winners:

Independent Restaurants/Multi-Concept: Joe Essa, President & CEO, Thomas Keller Restaurant Group

Chain Full Service: Phil Hickey, Chairman, Miller's Ale House Restaurants

Chain Limited Service: Scott Redler, COO/Co-Founder, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Health Care: Eric Eisenberg, Director of Dining Services, Rogue Valley Manor

Elementary & Secondary Schools: Bertrand Weber, Director, Culinary & Wellness Services | Minneapolis Public Schools

Colleges & Universities: Zia Ahmed, Senior Director of Dining Services, The Ohio State University

Business & Industry/Foodservice Management: Victoria Vega, Senior Vice President, Specialty Group, Unidine Corporation

Retail & Specialty: Brandon Chrostowski, Founder/President/CEO, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute