The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association has awarded chef Wolfgang Puck and the CEO’s of California Pizza Kitchen, Newk’s Eatery and Wawa Inc., with Silver Plate awards, honoring top talent in foodservice operations.
Winners of the 63-year old prize are nominated by IFMA members and industry leaders and then selected by a jury of foodservice experts, past winners and the national trade press.
One of the eight winners will be named the Gold Plate winner at the association’s annual gala in May.
Puck was named the winner in the category of independent and multi-concept restaurants for his Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group.
G.J. Hart, executive chairman and CEO of California Pizza Kitchen won in the full-service chain category.
Chris Newcomb, co-founder, president and CEO of Newk’s Eatery was awarded in the limited-service chain category.
Chris Gheysens, president & CEO of Wawa Inc., won for retail and specialty foodservice.
“For 63 years now, the Gold & Silver Plate awards have been the pinnacle award for individual excellence in our foodservice industry, IFMA president and CEO Larry Oberkfell said in a press release.
“The 2017 Silver Plate Class continues this excellent record with winners that demonstrate the best of our industry. All eight set the standards in their respective segments and we honor them as the best of the best.”
The other winners are:
- In health care, Patti Oliver, director of nutrition at UCLA Health
- In elementary and secondary schools, Betti Wiggins, executive director of the office of school nutrition for Detroit Public Schools
- In colleges and universities, Ted Faulkner, director of services at Virginia Tech
- In business and industry foodservice management, Jeff Metz, president and CEO of Metz Culinary Management.
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