To celebrate the 65th year of IFMA's Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration we would like to introduce this year’s Master of Ceremonies. Joining us to host the industry party of the year is Catherine De Orio, TV personality and longtime host of the Emmy award-winning dining review show Check, Please!
About Catherine De Orio
Known to many Chicagoans as the longtime host of the Emmy award-winning dining review show Check, Please!, Catherine De Orio now travels the country on behalf of her company, Culinary Curator, and others to dish on the food scene, discuss trends, demonstrate recipes and give professional tips for organizing noteworthy events. Additionally, she researches the current culinary landscape, develops recipes, and helps empower aspiring career-changers to create their dream job at universities and career-focused events. Catherine left a successful career in the courtroom to pursue her passion in the kitchen. Now a formally trained chef in addition to a “recovering attorney,” she expertly combined her skills from both a litigation career and culinary education to create a full-time brand as a lifestyle expert, culinary consultant, media spokesperson, journalist, web editor, and public speaker.
Catherine is frequently tapped to serve as an expert on discussion panels and radio shows across the country as well as present and emcee food and wine festivals/events and prestigious conferences around the country, including James Beard Foundation galas and awards ceremonies.
Her down-to-earth personality and energetic delivery make her a favorite at live engagements. Catherine has done live cooking demonstrations and high-level speaking engagements ranging from hosting a segment on the Rachael Ray show, to conducting intimate interviews for industry insiders with culinary luminaries like Lidia Bastianich and Andoni Luis Aduriz chef/owner of Mugaritz (the number four best restaurant in the world) as well as leading live interviews of both Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, and Giada de Laurentiis to sold out audiences of over 4000 people.
Come see Catherine as host of the IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration. This must attend Awards Celebration is the perfect place to entertain your customers, and is just steps away from the National Restaurant Association Show at the Marriot Marquis at McCormick Place. All new this year is the Dessert Lounge & cocktail reception featuring delightful bites, flowing beverages and live music!