IFMA GOLD & SILVER PLATE
Sally Smith, president and chief executive of Buffalo Wild Wings, earned the 2009 Gold Plate Award, presented by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association. The honor, which recognizes excellence in the hospitality industry, is given annually during the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago.
Smith was selected from a slate of Silver Plate Award winners representing nine areas of foodservice. In addition to Smith, the winners and their segments were as follows:
Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger in Wellesley, Mass., independent
Jim Skinner of McDonald’s Corp., Oak Brook, Ill., fast-service
Betty Perez of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, N.J., health care
Marcia Smith of the Polk County School Board in Bartow, Fla., elementary and secondary schools
Stuart Orefice of Princeton University in Princeton, N.J., colleges and universities
Robert Whitcomb of Whitsons Culinary Group, Islandia, N.Y., business and industry, foodservice management
Ed Mady of the Ritz Carlton, San Francisco, hotels and lodging
Tim Ryan of The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, N.Y., specialty foodservice
MUFSO AWARDS
James Greco, chief executive of Bruegger’s Enterprises, took top honors at Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual MUFSO conference, winning the Operator of the Year award. Greco was selected from among the six winners of the Golden Chain awards, which recognize achievement in hospitality. In addition to Greco, the honorees were Chuck Fallon, president of Burger King North America; Phil Friedman, chairman and chief executive of McAlister’s Deli; Jeffrey Harvey, president and chief executive of Burgerville; Randy Kibler, president and chief executive of Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ’n Biscuits; and Cameron Mitchell, president and chief executive of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants.
Richard Melman, founder of Chicago’s Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, was given the Pioneer award for his creative concepts and entrepreneurial spirit.
The conference also included a tribute to industry legend Norman Brinker, who died in June. Brinker, the founder of such concepts as Chili’s Grill & Bar and Steak & Ale, also was the inspiration for a newly created award, The Norman, which honors foodservice executives who have distinguished themselves by leading and mentoring tomorrow’s executives. The first award will be presented during the 2010 MUFSO conference in October in Orlando, Fla.
SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE
Robert E. Rich Jr., chairman of Rich Products Corp., was honored with the Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality award, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s highest honor, at the Salute to Excellence Gala in Chicago in May.
During the event, three industry leaders were inducted into the NRAEF’s College of Diplomates, which recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement and enhancement of the industry’s image. The new inductees were Bert Cutino, chief operating officer of The Sardine Factory, Julie Flik, a consultant for Compass Group North America, and Jon L. Luther of Dunkin’ Brands Inc.
Donald I. Smith, Westin Distinguished Professor at Washington State University, earned the Michael E. Hurst Lifetime Achievement Award, which goes to an outstanding educator who has contributed to the foodservice industry.
SPIRIT AWARDS
Nation’s Restaurant News and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation each year team up to honor companies that demonstrate excellence in recruitment and retention. This year’s honorees were The Signature Room in Chicago; The Cheesecake Factory, based in Calabasas Hills, Calif.; hospitality management company Guest Services, based in Fairfax, Va.; and the quick-service chain Hot Dog on a Stick, based in Carlsbad, Calif.
HOT CONCEPTS! AWARDS
Each year Nation’s Restaurant News honors a class of young, growth-minded concepts for their fresh ideas and future potential. This year’s winners were casual concept The Lazy Dog Café, based in Westminster, Calif.; tart frozen-yogurt concept Red Mango, whose U.S. operations are based in Los Angeles; burger chain Smashburger, based in Denver; authentic Italian pizza concept Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria, based in Seattle; and San Francisco-based airport wine bar chain Vino Volo.
“I believe we can never have too much community. would bet all my stock in the company that there is not a single employee out of 100 employees who is not on Facebook or MySpace. I can’t conceive of it. It’s like not having a toothbrush.”—Jeffery Adler, founder, D’lush Beverage Joint, San Diego
