CHICAGO — Buffalo Wild Wings president and CEO Sally Smith won the International Foodservice Manufacturer's Association Gold Plate award in Chicago. The Gold Plate award is selected from Silver Plate winners, and recognizes outstanding and innovative talent in foodservice operations.
The Gold and Silver Plate awards are voted on by a panel of trades press editors and previous award winners in nine categories in a secret ballot.
Smith has served as Buffalo WIld Wings' president and CEO since July 1996. She served as the company's chief financial officer from 1994 to 1996. Prior to joining Buffalo Wild Wings, she was the CFO of Dahlberg Inc., the manufacturer and franchisor of Miracle-Ear hearing aids. Smith began her career with KPMG LLP, an international accounting and auditing firm. Smith is a CPA and serves on the board of the National Restaurant Association. She is a member of the Executive Committee and has served on the Board of Directors since 1996.
The Silver Plate winners included:
- Chain Full-service category: Buffalo Wild Wings president and chief executive Sally Smith
- Fast-service category: McDonald's chief executive James Skinner
- Independent category: celebrity chef Ming Tsai, chef-owner of Blue Ginger in Wellesley, Mass
- Business and industry-foodservice management: Robert Whitcomb, chief executive of Whitsons Culinary Group in Islandia, N.Y.
- Hotels and lodging: Ed Mady, vice president and area general manager for the Ritz Carlton in San Francisco
- Specialty foodservices: Culinary Institute of America president Tim Ryan
