The Dine-In
Cinema Awards
Recognizing the dishes, drinks, programs, innovations and people shaping the dine-in cinema experience across the United States and Canada.
Entry deadline: Friday, December 11, 2026
11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
Founding Event Partner · Dine-In Cinema Summit 9
An awards competition built around the work.
The 2027 Dine-In Cinema Awards recognize outstanding dishes, drinks, programs, innovations and people. Each category has clear eligibility requirements and a judging process suited to the award.
Enter Your Best Work
Twelve principal categories recognize individual dishes and drinks, complete food and beverage programs, special promotions, operational innovation and leadership in culinary and F&B operations.
Food Awards
- Best Dine-In Menu
- Best Entrée
- Best Appetizer or Shareable
- Best Dessert
Beverage Awards
- Best Cocktail
- Best Cocktail Program
- Best Beer & Wine Program
Special Programs
- Best Film-Themed Food & Beverage Offering
- Best Limited-Time Offering
Innovation + Leadership
- Best F&B Operational Innovation
- Culinary Leader of the Year
- F&B Operations Leader of the Year
Found a category that fits?
Start an entry now, or review the category details and rules before you begin.
Clear judging. Two paths.
Most categories are selected from submitted entries. Best Entrée, Best Appetizer or Shareable, Best Dessert and Best Cocktail also include an in-person tasting, where scores reset before the winner is determined.
Best of ShowExpert-jury-only recognition selected through a fresh evaluation of the four live-category winners.
Audience ChoiceA separate attendee vote involving all finalists in the four live-tasting categories. Neither recognition is entered separately.
Open to cinema operators across the United States and Canada.
Cinema operators may enter directly, or an authorized third party may submit on an operator’s behalf. Individual-item categories generally allow up to four entries per operator. Operators generally submit one entry per program category; additional distinct eligible programs are not automatically prohibited.
Before You Enter
- Cinema operators in the United States or Canada
- Qualifying work offered during the eligibility period
- Review each category’s limits and evidence requirements
- Four food and drink awards include an in-person tasting
Ready to put your best work in front of the industry?
Start an entry, nominate a leader, or review the category requirements before you begin.