The Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards is the ultimate professional tribute in college and university culinary arts. The award, named after a National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) founder, past president, and highly regarded innovator, celebrates exemplary menus, presentations, special event planning and new dining concepts. NACUFS celebrates the innovative ideas and successful implementation of these programs. The winners, broken down into small, medium, and large institutions, will have their entries displayed at the National Conference and award winners are recognized and celebrated during a luncheon, with an announcement of the Grand Prize winners. Grand Prize winners will also receive recognition in Campus Dining Today®, the official magazine of NACUFS.

The 2023 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards entry period is now closed. Submissions for 2024 will begin in the fall of 2023.

The Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards is open to Institutional members and has six different categories including:

This award celebrates any residential dining concept housed with an all-you-care-to-eat facility, regardless of meal plan type. **Note: If you enter this category, you cannot enter the dining facility category. **

There were no entries that met the minimum requirements for a medal in Residential Dining Concepts for 2022.

This award celebrates any all-you-care-to-eat residential dining facility, regardless of meal plan type. **Note: If you enter this category, you cannot enter the dining concepts category. **

The winners in the Residential Dining Facility category for 2022 are:

A unique event that took place outside of your typical dining program, such as a festival, holiday celebration, or recognition.

The winners in the Residential Dining - Special Event category for 2022 are:

A retail location on campus that has innovative features and techniques.

The winners in the Retail Sales - Single Concept/Multiple Concepts/Marketplace category for 2022 are:

A campus event that was executed with notable touches and had an original feel to it.

There were no entries that met the minimum requirements for a medal in Catering - Special Event for 2022.

To submit your 2023 entry for Catering - Online Menu, please email your submission to membership@NACUFS.org entry form, essay, and URL. 

A distinct, special menu that is used for catered occasions on campus.

The winners in the Catering - Online Menu category for 2022 are: