IFMA honors CIA president Ryan

International Foodservice Manufacturers Association has named Culinary Institute of America (CIA) president Tim Ryan the 2009 Silver Plate Award winner in the Specialty Foodservices category.

Ryan, a 1977 CIA graduate, has been president of the college since 2001. He was the youngest person to become a Certified Master Chef and the youngest national president of the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Since joining the CIA faculty in 1982, Ryan developed the American Bounty Restaurant on campus to advance American cuisine for fine dining. He championed the CIA's launch of the first Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in culinary arts management, and in 2007 he established the college's new campus in San Antonio, Texas. Ryan was named ACF Chef of the Year in 1998 and won the Presidential Medal from the World Association of Cooks.

The annual Silver Plate Awards recognize contributions by foodservice operators in nine segments of the industry: Independent Restaurants, Chain Full Service, Chain Fast Service, Health Care, Elementary and Secondary Schools, Colleges and Universities, Business & Industry/Foodservice Management, Hotels and Lodging and Specialty Foodservices.