The Awards
Reno Food & Drink Week awards are designed to recognize excellence that is earned. Each distinction reflects real guest experience, thoughtful evaluation, and the consistent care required to deliver meaningful food-and-drink experiences in Reno.
Awards are not pay-to-play, cannot be applied for, and are determined through a structured evaluation process rooted in guest feedback and secret judging.
Reno Food & Drink Week recognizes excellence through two highest distinctions: The Medallion and The Silver Star.
The Medallion
The Medallion is awarded to one location within The Showcases category. It honors a participating establishment that consistently demonstrates exceptional food and drink quality, hospitality and service, and care in the presentation of its physical space.
The Medallion is earned through evaluation and merit. It cannot be purchased, applied for, or influenced through sponsorship or promotion.
Only one Medallion is awarded each year.
The Silver Star
The Silver Star is awarded to one location within The Features category. It honors a participating establishment that demonstrates outstanding creativity, originality, and thoughtful execution.
The Silver Star is earned through evaluation and merit. It cannot be purchased, applied for, or influenced through sponsorship or promotion.
Only one Silver Star is awarded each year.
How the Medallion & The Silver Star Are Earned
The Medallion & The Silver Star winners are determined through a two-stage evaluation process:
STAGE 1
During Reno Food & Drink Week, verified guest feedback is collected across all participating Showcase & Feature locations. Based on public scoring, the top four establishments in The Showcases category and the top four establishments in The Features category advance to a second level of evaluation.
STAGE 2
Following the event, a separate panel of secret judges conducts visits during regular service under normal operating conditions. Judges dine as regular guests, receive no special treatment, and do not disclose their role. The founder does not participate in secret judging. Anyone with a direct or indirect affiliation with a Reno food or drink location is excluded from judging to avoid conflicts of interest.
Final determination reflects a weighted combination of public guest feedback and secret judging, evaluating overall excellence across:
- Food and drink quality and execution
- Hospitality and service
- Care and presentation of the physical space
Final awards are determined only after all evaluations are complete.
Eligibility & Scope
- The Showcases category is eligible for The Medallion
- The Features category is eligible for The Silver Star
- The Experiences category is not award-eligible
Award Recognition
Advancing to the top four and earning a final award reflects demonstrated excellence through real guest experience and secret evaluation. These distinctions are designed to carry credibility, professional value, and community respect beyond the event itself.
Award recipients receive formal recognition, digital assets, press inclusion, and long-term visibility benefits. Specific recognition elements and packages are outlined separately and may evolve year to year.
Use of Awards & Distinctions
Award recipients are granted the right to reference their designation in marketing, press, and in-store materials. Clear usage guidelines will be provided to ensure consistency and to protect the integrity of each distinction.
