IFANCA’s Banquet and Awards Night Celebrates Halal Excellence

On the evening of April 13, 2025, the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare shimmered with elegance, excitement, and a deep sense of purpose. Hosted by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA^®), the Banquet & Awards Night marked the celebratory opening of IFANCA’s 22^nd International Halal Food Conference. More importantly, it served as a gathering to honor individuals and companies working tirelessly to elevate Halal standards for consumers across the globe. For those in attendance, the evening was far more than an industry event. It was a moment of reflection and connection, an affirmation of what Halal truly represents: trust, compassion, quality, and community.

A special VIP networking session preceded the event, bringing together IFANCA’s leadership, international accreditation and recognition bodies, and industry executives for networking and conversations. Meanwhile, community members, IFANCA staff, and other company representatives gathered in the welcoming hotel lobby for appetizers. It was a relaxed setting where old friends reconnected, colleagues caught up, and new business partners were warmly introduced.

The program opened with a welcoming address by Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry, President and CEO of IFANCA, who thanked attendees for their commitment to advancing Halal integrity and recognized the global partnerships that make this work possible. He reflected on IFANCA’s ongoing mission to build bridges between consumers, industry leaders, and certifiers through collaboration rooted in ethics and excellence.

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf followed with a brief reminder of the spiritual significance of halal and emphasized the importance of sharing food.

The highlight of the night was the presentation of IFANCA’s annual industry awards, recognizing companies that have demonstrated excellence, authenticity, and commitment to serving the needs of Halal consumers. This year’s honorees were:

These organizations were recognized not only for meeting standards, but for integrating Halal values into the core of how they do business. Angela Thibedeau of Kerry, attending for the first time, spoke about the deeper purpose behind their work.

“We have worked really hard to meet the needs of our customers, and part of that is to meet the spiritual needs of our customers.”—Angela Thibedeau of Kerry, Company of the Year

Chris Swimm from McCain also reflected on the value of the event. “I made a lot of contacts with companies we work with.” He also added, “The, and the food has been excellent—it was different, and it’s great for us to sample Halal food.” As the night unfolded, it was evident that more companies are committed to meeting the needs of Halal consumers and striving to earn their trust.

Dinner followed the awards with a memorable showcase of Halal cuisine. Tasty Pakistani dishes from Chicago’s renowned restaurant Ali Nihari was complemented by vegetarian and seafood offerings prepared by the Hyatt’s culinary team, along with an exquisite display of desserts. The meal went beyond flavor—it represented the values of hospitality, diversity, and ethical sourcing that define the Halal lifestyle.

Laura LaCourse, Director of Flavor Regulatory, described the atmosphere of the event as uniquely inclusive. “There’s real power in bringing everyone together—industry professionals, international voices, and the community. IFANCA makes that possible.”

Mary Anne Jackson, founder of My Own Meals, Inc. and a trailblazer in Halal-certified ready-to-eat meals, offered a heartfelt remark: “IFANCA is more than a certifier to us—they’re family. Their recognition means so much because it comes from a place of mutual respect and shared purpose.”  She was also one of the recipients of the Crescent-M award for her contributions in advancing accessibility to halal-certified meals.

International guests echoed similar sentiments. Professor Dr. Faridah Hj Hassan of Universiti Teknologi MARA and UNITAR Malaysia praised the banquet’s organization, the quality of the food, and the spirit of active participation from both industry and academic attendees. She said, “The banquet was well set up, food was healthy and highly nutritious, and the conference was attended by active participants from industries and researchers.” She extended special thanks to Dr. Muhammad Munir Chaudry, President of IFANCA, and the organizing committee for their superb hospitality and coordination.

While the banquet was an emotional and symbolic centerpiece, the larger conference that followed reinforced IFANCA’s long-standing role as a bridge between the industry, certifiers, and consumers. In his keynote address, Rafi-uddin Shikoh, CEO of DinarStandard, highlighted the scale and significance of the Halal economy.

“The global Halal economy is driven by 2 billion consumers. With nearly a fifth of global spending linked to Halal preferences, the potential is enormous.”—Rafi-Uddin Shikoh, CEO & Managing Partner, DinarStandard, USA

His remarks reminded the audience that Halal is not a niche category but a global movement rooted in ethics, faith, and consumer empowerment.

Nooran Riaz, one of the event organizers and a food scientist at IFANCA, emphasized the importance of the conversations that took place during the conference sessions.

“The most valuable experiences at the conference are the connections—we are all working toward the same goal of connecting consumers with products that align with their religious values”—Nooran Riaz, Food Scientist at IFANCA

She noted that the conference theme and speaker selections were designed to address the evolving needs of the Halal industry, and praised the open, honest dialogue between certifiers, regulators, and companies. Angela Thibedeau and others affirmed the value of these discussions in shaping a more transparent and collaborative future. Muhammad Faizal bin Othman of MUIS in Singapore remarked that receiving direct feedback from businesses about Halal concerns was an especially beneficial part of the conference experience.

Guests left the event inspired—not only by the exceptional cuisine and well-deserved accolades but by a shared commitment to advancing halal and recognizing that it is more than a label. Guests left the event inspired—not only by the speakers and recipients of the awards, but by a shared commitment to advancing Halal as more than just a label. Halal represents a global practice deeply rooted in faith, ethics, and connection. Through integrity and innovation, IFANCA has established itself as a global leader and continues to pave the way toward a future defined by trust and a commitment to upholding Halal values.