The International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC) announced two recipients for its 2023 Betty Bastion Outstanding Service Award: Katie Ayoub, president, Katie Ayoub & Associates and managing editor of Flavor & The Menu and Jason Stemm, Principal, The Stemm Group. The council’s highest honor, informally called the “Betty,” is presented annually to an IFEC member who has made significant contributions to the well-being of IFEC and the field of foodservice communications through outstanding leadership, service and professionalism. This year both Ayoub and Stemm were elected to receive this honor, each representing a side of the IFEC membership as editor and publicist. Ayoub and Stemm received the award during IFEC’s annual conference in Louisville, KY in November.
An active participant in IFEC for 19 years, Ayoub has been on or chaired half a dozen committees, served on the board, and was secretary in 2017. Over the years she has been instrumental in the development of the website and has chaired the NRA Reception and Professional Development Committees.