Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine

“If you look at who still holds the majority of executive chef jobs and top management positions, it’s not a very diverse picture,” says Joanne Canady-Brown, Founder, Head Baker, The Gingered Peach, Owner, Melba Ice Creamery, Rojo's Roastery. “And there’s often pushback when you talk about DEI, which makes no sense in an industry like ours that desperately needs labor. As leaders, we need to take more time, look harder and challenge what we think makes a great employee. And we should revisit that constantly because our industry, employees and customers are changing fast. There are people out there who may not fit the stereotype of employees traditionally filling certain roles, but who have the skills and the drive to fill them if given a chance. It’s on us to open our eyes and make the correlations.” #diversityequityandinclusion #DEI #foodservice #foodserviceindustry #culinary #menudevelopment #hospitality #restaurateur Sponsored by Vollrath Foodservice

T&S Brass and Bronze Works?hired Elise Vargas Driscoll to serve as international marketing manager.

Cal-Mil promoted Claudia Harry to the role of senior director of sales, Southeast.

?? Foodservice Equipment & Supplies named?Banyan Dining Hall at Brigham Young University–Hawaii?the recipient of its 2025 Facility Design Project of the Year Award. Key members of the Banyan Dining Hall project team include: Bringham Young University – Hawaii - University president: John S.K. Kauwe III - Director of Food Services: David Keala - Banyan Dining Hall manager: Marilou Lee - Executive chef: President Galea’i - Catering assistant: Chad William Tuttle? - Director of Design, Planning and Construction: James R. Brown, AIA Brigham Young University–Provo - BYU managing director of Dining Services: Dean Wright (retired after the project was completed) Architect: CRSA, Salt Lake City; E. Benjamin Rogers, AIA, NCARB (currently at another firm) Interior and lighting design: CRSA, Salt Lake City Foodservice consultant: PORTER KHOUW CONSULTING, INC., Crofton, Md.: H. David Porter, FCSI, CEO, president; and Albin T. Khouw, senior vice president, emeritus Construction: Jacobsen Construction, Salt Lake City: Shawn Thomas, project director Equipment dealer: RESTAURANT & STORE EQUIPMENT COMPANY., Salt Lake City: LeGrande Steenblik, vice president

The?National Restaurant Association Show?named 24 products as the recipients of its?2025 Kitchen Innovations Awards. Determined by a panel of independent judges, these awards honor #foodserviceequipment that increases efficiencies and productivity in #commercialkitchens.

Editorial director Joe Carbonara shares his initial thoughts on The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) Show. A closer look at the state of the independent operator. Plus, more #tariff talk. These stories and more, This Week in #Foodservice.

The?North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) presented the 2025 William W. Carpenter Award to Rob Connelly, CFSP, executive chairman and chairman of the board, Henny Penny and the Louise O’Sullivan Award of Excellence to Michael Whiteley, retired executive vice president, sales & marketing, Hatco Corporation.

Longtime foodservice consultant William “Bill” Eaton died on Feb. 12, 2025. Eaton most recently served as chairman of the board for Cini-Little International, Inc.

One in six Oklahomans is food insecure, according to the #foodbank. Through a renovation and expansion of the?Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, the nonprofit’s leadership team set out to expand its efforts to fight hunger in 24 counties in Oklahoma.?

Five #foodservice professionals were named the 2025 recipients of Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Top Achiever #Awards. The magazine is recognizing these individuals for their abilities to not only run market-leading organizations but also raise the level of professionalism for the industry overall. The winners of the FE&S 2025 Top Achiever Awards are: Top Achiever - Service Agent:?Jeremy Allen, President,?Vanco Commercial Service Top Achiever - Operator:?Leisa Bryant, MBA, MA, RDN, CPXP, FACHE, Executive Director, Food, Nutrition, & Patient Transportation Services,?The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Top Achiever - Dealer:?Huff Harper, CFSP, President/CEO,?Oswalt Restaurant Supply Top Achiever - Consultant:?Kathleen Held, CPSM, CEO/President,?Cini-Little International, Inc. Top Achiever – Manufacturers’ Rep:?Garrett Redd, Principal,?Premier