March 08, 2017
A food service trade association has announced the winners of a 63-year-old award, and Pennsylvania's own Wawa has landed a top honor.
The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, an organization made up of more than 300 food, equipment and supply manufacturers, announced the recipients of its "2017 Silver Plate Awards" Tuesday. Wawa Inc. CEO Chris Gheysens was named the winner in the "Retail and Specialty Foodservice" category.
The annual awards "enable the industry to honor the nation's top foodservice operator talent," according to the organization.
"Silver Plate" winners are nominated by members of the organization and other leaders in the organization and then chosen by a jury. Nestlé Professional nominated Gheysens, according to a news release.
Nestlé also nominated Wolfgang Puck, chef and owner of Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, who won in the organization's "Independent Restaurants/Multi-Concept" category. Other categories included "Chain Full Service," "Chain Limited Service," "Health Care," "Elementary and Secondary Schools," "Colleges and Universities" and "Business & Industry/Foodservice Management."
A jury will pick a winner for the "2017 Gold Plate Award" out of the eight chosen Tuesday. The winner of the organization's "most prestigious recognition" will be announced at a dinner celebration in Chicago in May.
"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 statement. "The 2017 Silver Plate Class continues this excellent record with winners that demonstrate the best of our industry. All eight set the standard in their respective segments and we honor them as the best of the best."
