Press Releases

MONTEREY, Calif. -Bert Cutino, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of The Sardine Factory Restaurant, is this year's International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) Silver Plate Award winner in the independent restaurants category.

A renowned industry achievement, the IFMA Silver Plate Award is among the most prestigious foodservice awards in the nation. Jury selections are based on extraordinary accomplishments in the areas of management, marketing and human resources, as well as industry and civic participation.

Mr. Cutino is a member of many celebrated culinary organizations and is very active in the American Culinary Federation (ACF). He served as the organization's Western Regional President and was presented with ACF's Hermann G. Rusch Commemorative Humanitarian Award in 1997 for his tireless support of educational programs. In 2002, the ACF awarded him again with its National Chefs Professionalism Award.

For 35 years, The Sardine Factory Restaurant has been wowing patrons and the foodservice industry alike. Though open only for dinner, the restaurant earns more than $3 million a year in food revenues and $1 million in annual wine sales. Under Mr. Cutino's direction, The Sardine Factory has won numerous awards, including Nation's Restaurant News' Hall of Fame Award, Restaurants and Institutions' Ivy Award and the Distinguished Restaurants of North America's DiRoNA Award. The wine list at The Sardine Factory has been a Wine Spectator "Grand Award" winner every year since 1982.