About SDA Awards
Movie makers have their Oscars, scientists have their Nobels, and writers have their Pulitzers. Now it’s time for senior dining professionals to get the recognition they deserve. The SDA’s awards program will ensure that the very best in this burgeoning industry receive appropriate kudos from their peers and that all senior dining professionals have something to aspire to.
Why Participate?
We all love being recognized for our great ideas and hard work. Allow your staff to shine in competing for these awards that will gain you national recognition and the ability to market yourself as an award-winning dining program. Inspire others with your innovation and culinary know-how.
Award recipient will receive:
- An attractive award given to winner at SDA SYNERGY Conference
- Promotion through social media channels
- Recognition in the SDA newsletter
- Public recognition on the SDA website for 1 year
Congratulations! 2025 SDA AWARD WINNERS
Award DESCRIPTIONS
The Chef Divakar Raju Memorial Award - Corporate Dining Executive of the Year Award
This award recognizes a corporate dining executive whose loyalty, dedication, and enthusiasm brought positive change to their organization’s dining program.
Who can be nominated?
- Current SDA member in good standing
- Currently acts as VP of Dining Service, Corporate/Regional Chef, Director or Dietitian and is assigned to multiple communities.
- Self-nominations are not accepted!
Individuals may be nominated by peers, staff, colleagues, or supervisors for this award.
Director of Dining Services of the Year Award
This award recognizes a dining services director who has exhibited exceptional leadership and management proficiency and has enhanced their community’s dining program through a recent, noteworthy achievement.
Who can be nominated?
- Current SDA member in good standing
- Currently acts as Director or Chef/Director and is assigned to one community.
- Self-nominations are not accepted!
Individuals may be nominated by peers, staff, colleagues, or supervisors for this award.
Executive Chef of the Year Award
This award recognizes an executive chef who has displayed passionate and dynamic leadership, exceptional management proficiency, and demonstrated successful planning and execution within their dining program at a community.
Who can be nominated?
- Current SDA member in good standing
- Currently acts as executive chef, chef, head cook and is assigned to one community.
- Self-nominations are not accepted!
Individuals may be nominated by peers, staff, colleagues, or supervisors for this award.
SDA Dietitian of the Year Award
This award recognizes a community-based or corporate dietitian who has successfully implemented an outstanding nutrition and wellness program and/or delivery methods to enhance the health and physical conditions of a community and their residents and guests.
Who can be nominated?
- Current SDA member in good standing
- Currently acts as VP of Dining Service, Corporate/Regional Chef, Director or Dietitian and is assigned to multiple communities.
- Self-nominations are not accepted!
Individuals may be nominated by peers, staff, colleagues, or supervisors for this award.
Excellence in Operations Award
This award is granted to a community or organization that exhibits innovation and excellence in at least one of the following categories:
Communities and organizations may apply for multiple awards.
- Special Event / Experience: Submit your inspiring events that make you a stand out.
- Sales Event / Experience: Dining plays such an important role in the community sales process and grand opening events.
- Best New Menu Concept: Showcase your culinary works of art.
- Modified Meal Program: Highlight your transformative, textured, modified food or finger foods.
- Innovation: Flaunt what makes you a unique trend-setter.
Humanitarian Award
The Humanitarian Award is given to an individual or staff who has given back to their greater community by addressing an existing or emergent need through their dining program. This award celebrates response to the needs of others for the betterment of something greater than themselves.
Industry Partner Innovation and value Award
The SDA’s new Industry Partner Innovation and Value Award will be given annually to an Industry Partner Company who has recognized that a product, innovation, or service has demonstrated significant value to SDA member organizations’ operations, and/or the senior living channel, and/or enhancement of resident experience (quantifiable).
Rules & Eligibility
Award submissions are due December 15, 2025.
1. Nominations are open to all SDA members in good standing. Entries must be designed and produced by the member/organization entering the contest. Director of Dining Services Award, Executive Chef of the Year Award, Senior Dining Dietitian Award, and Corporate Dining Executive of the Year Award.
2. Entries of organization-wide promotions/menus/concepts that are for use at multiple locations must be submitted by the organization’s corporate office.
3. All applications must be received by December 15, 2025. Applications not received by the deadline will be disqualified and will not be judged.
4. Activities must have occurred between January 1, 2025, through December 14, 2025, to be considered. Entries for events outside of this period will not be judged.
5. The SDA staff will review all entries for accuracy. The SDA reserves the right to dismiss entries if deemed inappropriate.
6. All applications must be completed entirely before submitting. Partially completed applications will not be included in judging.
7. All copyrighted or trademarked materials must obtain written permission from owner to use in any awards application.
8. By submitting an award application, permission is given to the Senior Dining Association (SDA) to publish and/or use this material in promotions, marketing, or other ways as determined by the SDA.
Questions?
Please contact the SDA at 980-339-7280
