[VANCOUVER, BC, May 18, 2026] – The International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA) today announced that The Mather in Tysons, Virginia has been awarded the first-ever Platinum Plate of Distinction in North America, recognizing the community’s exceptional leadership in culinary excellence, nutrition, hospitality, and innovation in senior living.
Building on the success of its inaugural Plate of Distinction Awards announced in 2025, ICAA continues to set new benchmarks for dining and hospitality in communities serving adults aged 50 and over. Much like Michelin stars define excellence in fine dining, the ICAA Plate of Distinction establishes a rigorous, wellness-focused standard for culinary and hospitality performance in senior living. Recipients are evaluated across five key areas: nutrition; taste and presentation; hospitality and mealtime experience; innovation; and culture and leadership. The Platinum designation represents the highest level of achievement within this framework.
The Mather distinguished itself by exceeding expectations in each category, setting a new standard for what is possible in senior living dining. Led by classically trained chefs, The Mather’s food and beverage program features fresh ingredients, including local, seasonal and organic foods, and globally inspired cuisine. The culinary team actively challenges the status quo and embraces innovation as a daily discipline using the latest culinary technology, research, and education.
“This milestone marks an important evolution for the Plate of Distinction program and for the senior living industry as a whole,” said Colin Milner, CEO and founder of ICAA. “The Mather has demonstrated what it means to deliver a truly exceptional culinary and hospitality experience that supports not only satisfaction, but overall health and wellbeing.”
The Plate of Distinction Award is based on the ICAA Culinary and Hospitality Standards of Excellence, which are the first comprehensive dining standards developed specifically for senior living. Communities complete a detailed self-assessment, benchmark their performance against peers, and undergo third-party validation to determine if they qualify for Platinum, Gold or Bronze Plate of Excellence recognition.
“Receiving this recognition is truly an honor as it underscores Mather’s unwavering commitment to transcend the ordinary, and our culinary offerings do exactly that,” said Mary Leary, president and CEO of Mather. “We’re redefining what it means to age well, offering innovative and personalized approaches to wellbeing, including each of The Mather’s restaurants and menus. Every day, our team goes above and beyond to serve the unexpected, and we look forward to continuing to change the perception of what’s possible with culinary services.”
ICAA partnered with industry leaders, including culinary experts and senior living operators, to develop the Standards and provide resources that elevate the resident dining experience across North America. Independent on-site validations are conducted in partnership with CrossCheck Quality Assurance, ensuring credibility and consistency in the evaluation process.
“As an industry, we’ve operated for too long without clearly defined expectations for dining,” said Matthew Thompson, Chief Culinary Officer at Restaura and co-author of the ICAA Culinary and Hospitality Standards of Excellence. “These standards create a framework to benchmark performance, elevate the experience for residents and their families, and ultimately recognize teams like The Mather who are taking pride in delivering something truly exceptional.”
Senior living operators and culinary teams can download the ICAA Culinary and Hospitality Standards of Excellence and learn more about the Plate of Distinction program by visiting ICAA’s website.
About the International Council on Active Aging® (ICAA)The International Council on Active Aging is a professional association that leads, connects, and defines the active-aging industry. ICAA supports organizations and professionals that promote wellness cultures for adults aged 50 and over.
About The Mather
The Mather is a luxury life plan community (for those 62 and better) in Tysons, Virginia, and is deeply rooted in hospitality and wellness. This commitment is reflected in its globally inspired cuisine, interior design, sustainability and LEED Gold certification, art and nature signature programs. Learn more at the mathertysons.com.
