Sandy Solmon, founder, president, and CEO of Sweet Street Desserts, has been named the recipient of the 2014 Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award, an honor given annually by the Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration (SHA).
Solmon will receive the award at the sixth annual Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards, Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
"Passion and creativity are the hallmarks of an innovative company. Sandy Solmon infuses Sweet Street with both, which is why they have remained at the top of the industry," says Michael D. Johnson, dean and E. M. Statler Professor at SHA. "We are proud that Sandy is an active supporter of SHA, where she shares that same innovative spirit through our parent committee and the advisory board for the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship."
Sweet Street is a leading manufacturer of frozen gourmet desserts. The company bakes for restaurants in more than 60 countries around the globe, and their products are found in all channels of foodservice, from casual dining such as P.F. Chang's and Olive Garden to Barnes & Noble and Starbucks cafes; in contract management, including Aramark, Levy Luxury Suites, and the U.S. Military; and in hotels such as Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt.
Among Sweet Street's many achievements, the company has received the Sysco Heritage Award and the Quality and Service Award from DOT Foods. They have been named the Berks County Chamber of Commerce Large Business of the Year and the Sodexo Diverse Supplier of the Year. Sweet Street also is in the MUFSO Supplier Hall of Fame.
In 1994, the U.S. Copyright Office awarded Sweet Street Desserts the first-ever copyrights recognizing the design of food products. Since then, the company has received a variety of awards for innovation including the Cognito's Best Foodservice New Product Award for Xangos and the Culinology Top Innovation Award by Research Chef's Association.
Solmon has been recognized by Pennsylvania Senator Judith Schwank and the City of Reading for her dedication to diverse ethnicity employment and her exemplary community service. Solmon was awarded the Berks County Chamber of Commerce Large Manufacturer Leader of the Year Award and was named one of Pennsylvania's Best 50 Women in Business. She also is a member of the Zenith Group, helping minority business women gain a larger piece of the purchasing pie.
In addition to leading Sweet Street Desserts, Solmon is the CEO for Café Sweet Street; the Sweet Street Mobile Art Kitchen, Paris; and a biotech company that is tackling Parkinson's disease.
Since its inception in 2009, the Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards has grown to be the largest event on the SHA calendar, attracting more than 800 of the most influential leaders and innovators in the hospitality and travel industry from 17 countries. The event raises funds to support SHA's scholarships and programs.
About the Cornell School of Hotel Administration
The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration is shaping the global knowledge base for hospitality management through leadership in education, research and industry advancement. The school provides management instruction in the full range of hospitality disciplines, educating the next generation of leaders in the world's largest industry. Founded in 1922 as the nation's first collegiate course of study in hospitality management, the Cornell School of Hotel Administration is recognized as the world leader in its field. For more information, visit www.hotelschool.cornell.edu.
