The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) named John C. Metz, Jr., CEO, executive chef, and co-founder of Sterling Hospitality, the winner of its coveted Gold Plate award.
In its 59th year, IFMA’s Gold & Silver Plate awards recognize leading foodservice operators who have contributed to the advancement of their individual segments and to the foodservice industry as a whole. Metz, who was nominated by The Coca-Cola Company and Ecolab, represents the Independent Restaurants/Multi-Concept segment and was one of eight operators honored with the IFMA Silver Plate award in February.
When he accepted the award, Metz paid tribute to his associates at Atlanta-based Sterling Hospitality.
"I'm proud to accept this recognition on behalf of the 859 employees in our company in Florida and Georgia. They are spectacular people and they are unbelievable resources," said Metz. "They are the true recipients of something like this."
Metz is the second in his family to receive a Silver Plate award. His father, John C. Metz, Sr., received the award in 1979 in the Foodservice Management category.
The Gold Plate award recipient was determined through secret ballot by a jury of past Silver Plate winners, national trade press editors, foodservice experts, and the chairperson of the International Gold & Silver Plate Society. The Selection Jury was chaired by Nancy Kruse, president of The Kruse Company. The ballot was tallied by BDO USA, LLP and kept confidential until the announcement at the Gold & Silver Plate Celebration on May 20.
