Deadline Extended for SmartBrief Innovation Award Nominations

Help the National Restaurant Association find the best products and services in technology, safety and health solutions, and sustainability.

Mar 3, 2021 - 17:01
Deadline Extended for SmartBrief Innovation Award Nominations

Running a restaurant is challenging even in the best of times, and the quality of the products and services you use can have a major impact how well your business runs. This has been especially true during the coronavirus pandemic.

To recognize the best products and services in the foodservice industry, digital media publisher SmartBrief and the National Restaurant Association will accept nominations for the 2021 SmartBrief Innovation Foodservice Awards through March 11.

Nominate products and services you’ve come to rely on in the following three categories:

  • Technology
  • Safety and health
  • Sustainability

A team of judges composed of renowned restaurant company executives, Association experts, and SmartBrief editors, will evaluate and select the winners based on the nominees’ ability to solve problems, price value, and suitability for use. Judges include:

  • Jeff Clark, Expert Exchange director, Food Safety & Quality Assurance, Nutrition, and Sustainability, National Restaurant Association
  • Damian Hanft, vice president of training and team member activation, Buffalo Wild Wings
  • Jorge Hernandez, vice president, Quality Assurance, Wendy's
  • Nitin Malhotra, senior director, Enterprise PMO, Chipotle Mexican Grill
  • Larry Lynch, senior vice president, Science and Industry, National Restaurant Association
  • Matt McMillin, vice president, Culinary and Beverage Innovation, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants
  • Perry Quinn, senior vice president, Business Innovation Development, National Restaurant Association
  • Karim Webb, owner, PCF Restaurant Management

SmartBrief, in tandem with the Association, will announce the honorees this month, and SmartBrief will feature award recipients in Restaurant SmartBrief and Restaurant Innovation SmartBrief.

Learn more and nominate products and services at awards.smartbrief.com/foodservice/