FAME Awards

Foodservice Achievement Management Excellence (FAME)

Basic American Foods FAME Awards are the pinnacle of achievement for the K-12 industry’s innovators and leaders. FAME Awards winners define excellence in every aspect of school foodservice achievement and leadership. They educate, inspire and motivate their staffs, communities, and the students they feed.

Nominations for the 2026 FAME Awards closed on September 30, 2025. The 37th awards ceremony will be held on January 11, 2026 at School Nutrition Industry Conference in Austin, TX. Tickets are free of charge and must be reserved in advance. Click here to register: FAME Awards Tickets

Congratulations to the 2026 Winners!

Golden Director Award

Ken Yant

Executive Director of School Nutrition,

Gwinnett County Public Schools, Suwanee, GA

Ken’s leadership embodies integrity, innovation, and inclusion, qualities that have defined his 25-year career in school nutrition. When he joined Gwinnett County Public Schools in 2006, he saw the need for a unified, professional approach to menu planning and nutrition services. At the time, the district had only a part-time dietitian and more than 100 schools writing their own menus, leading to inconsistent food quality, rising costs, and gaps in oversight. As Executive Director of School Nutrition, Ken redefined excellence in one of the nation’s largest school districts by creating full-time roles for a Registered Dietitian and Executive Chef to ensure that meals were not only nutritious but also appealing and student focused. Today, his program supports students with diabetes, celiac disease, food allergies, and other health needs, reinforcing his belief that no child should be excluded from school meals due to dietary restrictions. Ken continues to foster a more inclusive dining experience that celebrates and supports the diverse needs of his student community.

Operationally, Ken’s strategic vision has strengthened the district’s efficiency and resilience. His forward-thinking investments, such as mobile freezers and reserve equipment storage, have minimized waste and ensured uninterrupted meal service across 135 schools. His innovative staffing model, which saves more than $5 million annually, demonstrates fiscal responsibility without compromising quality. Ken’s leadership, rooted in humility and guided by purpose, has not only strengthened operations but also created a program recognized across the country for its compassion and impact.

His achievements have been recognized on a national scale. Ken received the FAME Silver Director Award in 2016 for program management and leadership excellence, followed by the IFMA Foodservice Operator of the Year Award in 2018 for innovation and impact. His leadership proves that school meals can create connection and inclusion, giving every student access to nourishing food and a sense of belonging.

Silver Director Award

Kim Kilgore, RD, SNS

Director of Food and Nutrition Services

Cherry Creek School District, Centennial, CO

At the heart of Kim’s leadership is a deep care for others. She leads by example, lifting those around her and helping them realize their potential. Inspired by her own preceptors, she has guided 35 interns during her 16 years in Child Nutrition, many of whom now serve students across Colorado. Her focus on quality and creativity has resulted in more than half of all menu items in the Cherry Creek School District being made from semi-scratch and earned her team the USDA Innovation in the Preparation of School Meals Award and a second USDA Innovation Award for the district’s central bakery.

Her community-centered leadership has strengthened every level of the district’s program. Kim hosts biannual showcases to engage families, gather feedback, and build excitement around school meals, while her collaboration with district leaders has ensured equal access to breakfast and lunch for all 53,000+ students — including charter schools, a first for Cherry Creek Schools. She also developed a robust staff training program that includes orientation, food safety, and hands-on culinary instruction, helping new team members gain confidence and reducing turnover districtwide. As a result, Cherry Creek Schools have remained fully staffed for the past two years, with more applicants than openings.

A dedicated leader in the Colorado School Nutrition Association, Kim has served as Conference and Education Chair, Supervisor Representative, and now President-Elect, while contributing nationally through the School Nutrition Association Exam Committee. Through her servant leadership and forward-thinking vision, Kim continues to build a program that embodies flavor, nutrition, and community, transforming school meals into a true source of pride for Cherry Creek Schools.

Silver Spirit Award

Amy Faricy, RD, SNS

Manager of Menu Services,

Douglas County School District, Castle Rock, CO

Guided by a belief in food’s ability to unite and inspire, Amy leads with creativity and connection at the heart of her work. As Manager of Menu Services for Douglas County School District (DCSD), she has reimagined how students and families experience school nutrition. Amy founded The One Plate Challenge, a mystery basket cooking competition with celebrity judges that engages students in hands-on culinary experiences, and Taste of DCSD, an open house event that gives students and parents a voice in shaping menus through feedback and shared learning. The One Plate Challenge has continued to thrive through Colorada SNA, while the Taste of DCSD continues in Amy’s district under her leadership. Amy also helped launch the Parent Forum Series to give families better access to information about DCSD’s child nutrition programs, leading its transition from in-person events to an accessible online platform. Her passion for food education also brought tower gardens into schools, giving students hands-on lessons in sustainability and healthy eating. Together, these efforts have built excitement around school meals and strengthened trust within the community.

Beyond student engagement, Amy’s dedication extends to her team and the broader district. She established Kitchen Manager Advisory Committees to ensure staff at every level have a voice in menu design and decision-making, fostering collaboration and transparency. These committees also give team members the opportunity to contribute to recipe development and share ideas for product cross-utilization. Amy further strengthens this sense of inclusion by inviting her entire staff to collaborate with vendor representatives and chefs, creating an environment where everyone feels supported, valued, and heard.

Amy has held numerous leadership roles within the Colorado School Nutrition Association, including Industry Committee Chair, Vice President, President Elect, President, Past President, and Director/Supervisor Representative, and continues to serve as an active contributor through her work on the Nutrition and Resource Committee, as well as volunteering for ANC events and scholarship reviews. Amy was also recognized with the SNA President’s Award of Service. Through her inclusive and forward-thinking leadership, Amy continues to transform school nutrition into a source of pride, growth, and connection for students, staff, and families alike.

What the FAME Awards mean to us:

We’re proud to service the K-12 foodservice segment, and it’s an honor to reward outstanding leaders in K-12; leaders who are innovative and care deeply about making a difference within their school districts and communities.

Questions? Need more information?

Please contact Joshua Spiegel:

Phone: (951) 768-7966

Email: jspiegel@baf.com

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