Reserve Your Seat
Chicago Union Station: Great Hall 500 W Jackson Blvd Chicago, IL 60661 Date/Time: Saturday, May 16, 2026 5:30pm CDT
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.
Tables & Ticket Cost Table (10 seats): $6,295 Individual Ticket: $695
TRAILER
2025 WINNER
HISTORY
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"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.
Considerable color is added to the event by its adherence to traditions, one of them being a token bet on who’ll win the Gold Plate award. Here’s how to engage in that time-honored custom.
The former manager of Microsoft’s foodservice operations wants to air solutions to common problems across the six siloed sectors of “everyday foodservice.”
The Silver Plate winner has brought new success to his theater chain by having it function more as a restaurant.
Jerry Morgan, CEO of Texas Roadhouse and this year’s Silver Plate winner in the Chain Full Service category, is widely known as Kent Taylor’s successor. But that doesn’t reflect all he’s doing for the company and brand.
15 books by Silver Plate award winners, the food-away-from-home industry's elite. Learn their secrets to success, from building iconic brands like Wendy's and Popeyes to pioneering hospitality, offering invaluable insights for aspiring leaders.
Jeff Palmer, exec director of dining at UC San Diego and this year's College & University Silver Plate winner, is using data, sustainability, and a passion for culinary authenticity to redefine what campus dining can be.
Gold & Silver Plate Society Members, such as Theodore Balestreri, will walk the red carpet to begin our program,
We'll announce the Foodservice Operator of the Year at the end of the evening!
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: 5:30-6:30p – Cocktail Hour 6:30-8:30p – Dinner & Awards Program 8:30p – Dessert Lounge Attire: Formal Attire
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.
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!