Jessica Shelly, director, student dining services, Cincinnati Public Schools, was named the 2023 Gold Plate Award winner by the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA).
Jessica Shelly, director, student dining services, Cincinnati Public Schools, accepting the 2023 Gold Plate Award.She was one of nine executives eligible for the award after earning recognition as a IFMA Silver Plate award winner in March. Shelly represented the Elementary & Secondary Schools category.
Shelly oversees more than 60,000 meals daily at 67 schools in the Cincinnati public school system. She’s recognized as a trailblazer in school nutrition with unique ideas such as spice stations connected to different cultures in every school, and establishing a purchasing focus around local, small businesses and minority-owned companies.
In addition to Shelly, IFMA recognized the following 2023 Silver Plate winners:
- Independent Restaurant/Multi-Concept: Dickie Brennan, owner and managing partner, Dickie Brennan & Co.
- Chain Limited Service: Rob Lynch, president and CEO, Papa John's International
- Chain Full Service: David Deno, CEO, Bloomin’ Brands
- Healthcare: Randall J. Sparrow, director, food and environmental services, ProHealth Care
- Colleges and Universities: Jill Horst, executive director of campus services, University of California, Santa Barbara
- Business and Industry/Foodservice Management: Sharon Eliatamby, senior project manager, The World Bank Group
- Grocery, Convenience and Specialty Retail: Mendy Meriwether, director of fresh foods, Wawa
- Travel and Leisure: Max Knoepfel, executive chef, Music City Center
