Nona Golledge credits staying on top of dining trends and “leading from the heart” with making her Kansas University Dining Services team a forerunner in university dining.

Golledge, KU Dining director since 2006, was announced on Tuesday as the winner of the 2015 International Food Manufacturers Association Silver Plate Award in the Colleges and Universities category.

KU is nationally known for its food allergy program, has received attention for its sustainability program and, of course, made waves with the Crunchy Chicken Cheddar Wrap’s historic run in the 2013 Cooking Channel Best College Eats tournament.

Nona Golledge

Silver Plates are awarded in nine categories of food service each year, from health care to fast food operations, and from those winners one Gold Plate Award winner is chosen, which the International Food Manufacturers Association describes as “the highest possible honor in the industry” and the “Academy Awards of Foodservice.”

This year’s Gold Plate Award winner will be announced in May in Chicago.

Golledge and KU are leaders in the dining sector and are often sought out for advice on sustainability, managing student food allergies, creative menu ideas and strategic planning, the association said in a statement about the award.

At KU, Golledge’s department is responsible for three residential dining centers, 16 retail dining operations, one full-service restaurant and campus catering.