Information Updated

Saturday, May 16, 2026 | Chicago Union Station

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!

Register

About the Celebration

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.

"If there were a Foodservice Hall of Fame, the exhibits not to miss would be ones honoring past winners of the Gold Plate Award, the Most Valuable Player designation of the food-away-from-home industry.

The elite group includes some of the biggest names ever to grace the business—luminaries like Danny Meyer, Wolfgang Puck, Charlie Trotter, “21” Club’s Jerry Berns, and New Orleans’ Ralph Brennan." - Peter Romeo, Managing Editor, The history of foodservice is told in the list of Gold Plate Award winner

Explore Current and Past Winners

2026 Silver Plate Winners

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

Sally Minier

Head of Workplace Strategies, Jane Street

CHAIN LIMITED SERVICE

Scott Murphy

Chief Brand Officer, Inspire Brands

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

Partner With Us

Sponsor

Articles

Gold & Silver Plate celebration offers a sharp rebuttal to industry bashers

A dead-end industry of last resort? Not to the stellar successes who gathered Saturday night.

Meet the icon receiving this year’s Legends award, Richard ‘Dick’ Marriott

He was born into the industry and a famous family, but the affiliation earned him a spatula instead of a silver spoon.

USHG CEO Chip Wade named 2026 Gold Plate winner

Chip Wade, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, wins the prestigious 2026 Gold Plate Award from IFMA, recognizing outstanding leadership in the foodservice industry.

How Chip Wade is putting his own stamp on Union Square Hospitality

Running a company while its founder is still actively involved can be a challenge. If that founder happens to be Danny Meyer, the Yoda of fine dining, a successor would have to be dumber than a rock to shun the input. And Chip Wade, CEO of Meyer’s U

Silver Plate winner and ‘Mealtime Messiah’ Michael P. Berry dies at 77

He earned his award for bringing innovation to his management of the foodservices of Harvard

Never been to the Gold and Silver Plate awards? Here’s an insider’s guide to what you’ll find

No other event is quite like it. Here are some of the reasons why.

View all

What to Expect

Sponsor Logos

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:
5:30-6:30pm – Cocktail Hour
6:30-9:00pm – Dinner & Awards Program
9:00-10:30pm – Dessert Lounge

Attire: Formal Attire

Tables & Ticket Cost

Table (10 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!

Learn More

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.