Restaurant Catering Workshop

Nominations now open for Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Catering

Nominations will close July 28, 2026.

July 8, 2026 by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

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FastCasual, in partnership with MONKEY Catering Platform, has officially launched the nomination window for the Top 30 Movers & Shakers in Catering 2026.

The annual initiative recognizes the innovators, leaders and expert brands redefining the catering landscape within the modern restaurant space. Nominations will close July 28, 2026.

This year's program focuses on trailblazers who excel in three core pillars:

Several winners of the 2025 Top 30 Movers & Shakers post with their awards at the Restaurant Catering Workshop. Photo: Willie Lawless

Innovators: Individuals and brands bringing fresh strategy and flawless execution to the industry, from visual optics and experiential setups to cutting-edge packaging.
Leaders: Pacesetters who create trends, take calculated risks and rewrite the industry playbook.
Experts: Trusted voices advising emerging and enterprise brands on operations, growth strategies and industry best practices.

While selection committees prioritize first-time nominees, previous winners are eligible if they launched a completely new initiative within the last 12 months. Examples include overhauling kitchen production logistics for a 40% efficiency gain, launching an entirely new proprietary menu line or implementing a kitchen-to-venue automated tracking system.

The selection process

Following the close of nominations on July 28, the selection committee will review submissions to determine an official shortlist. Selected nominees will advance to a public voting round in early August.

Winners will be privately notified by mid-August, followed by a public announcement of the official Top 30 list in September.

Celebration and awards

The program will culminate in the Top 30 Catering Awards Parade, held Oct. 6–7, 2026, during The Restaurant Catering Workshop in Arlington, Texas. Winners will be honored live on stage by MONKEY Catering Platform and FastCasual.com.

Nominate yourself or a colleague here.

Catering

Upcoming Events

Restaurant Catering Workshop

October 6-7, 2026 | Arlington, TX

Discover the strategies and tools you need to build a winning catering operation. Whether you're starting out or refining your catering business, this workshop is your key to success.

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About Cherryh Cansler

Cherryh Cansler is Publisher of FastCasual.com and Vice President of Connect Food. She has been covering the restaurant industry since 2012. Her byline has appeared in Forbes, The Kansas City Star and American Fitness magazine, among many others.

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