CHICAGO, April 17, 2026 —  This year marks the 72nd anniversary of the Gold and Silver Plate awards, the longest-running and most prestigious competition in the food-away-from-home business. The year’s top operators in nine industry segments will be honored with a Silver Plate. One of the group will be revealed as the best of the best, the 2026 recipient of the Gold Plate, a distinction synonymous with Operator of the Year. 

 

Industry veterans know the event is a highlight of the industry’s annual convention in Chicago. They’ve come year after year for the brush with greatness.

 

But even they may not know these details about the awards program and the event. Take this quiz and see how you stack up. 

 

Gold & Silver Plate Trivia Quiz

Think you know the awards program and the event? Take the quiz and see how you stack up.

Question 1 of 10 Score: 0

 

 

As Managing Editor for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, Romeo is responsible for generating the group's news and feature content. He brings more than 40 years of experience in covering restaurants to the position.

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.