An Iowa restaurant owner has been selected to receive one of the most prestigious annual business honors given by the National Restaurant Association’s Educational Foundation. Pamela Patton, owner and operator of Patton’s Restaurant and Catering in Des Moines, is one of three restaurant entrepreneurs from across the country to be selected for the 2015 Faces of Diversity American Dream Award. Patton Not Deterred by Statistics “This award is given to diverse members of the restaurant industry whose hard work and success exemplify the American Dream,” explained Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association. “Iowa ranks last or nearly last in the nation in both women and minority business ownership—Pamela let none of that deter her. She has taken her passion for “showing love through food” out of her home—where she once hosted Sunday dinner for as many as 100 Drake students each week— and built it into a thriving catering and sit down restaurant business north of the State Capitol.” Restaurant Business a Second Career  Patton, a Georgia native, was one of eight children. She developed a passion for cooking as a child when she spent summers in rural Alabama with her Great-Grandmother. She was the first in her family to graduate from college and she went on to work in corporate America. However, her love of cooking never left her. Encouraged by many of those same Drake students as well as friends, Patton took a risk and started a catering business.  In 2010 she secured a Targeted Small Business (TSB) loan and opened a sit down restaurant at 1552 East Grand Avenue in January 2011. Her menu features true soul food ranging from southern fried chicken and red velvet waffles to collard greens and catfish. Her food has also received national acclaim—last  year being featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network Channel. National Gala will Celebrate Winners Patton will receive her award on April 14th at a Gala in Washington DC.  In Patton’s honor, the NRAEF together with PepsiCo, will make a $2,500 donation to the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation to support its high school culinary and restaurant management program and a $2,500 scholarship donation for an Iowa student pursuing a degree in a restaurant-related field. “This award celebrates the stories of opportunity and community engagement within the restaurant industry,” said Rob Gifford, executive vice president of strategic operations and philanthropy for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. “We applaud Pamela for her immense passion and what she has done for her community.”

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About the Iowa Restaurant Association and IRA Education Foundation: The Iowa Restaurant Association protects, promotes and educates Iowa’s restaurant and retail beverage industries. The IRA Education Foundation  works to advance professionalism and career opportunities in the hospitality industry through education, scholarships, and community involvement. The IRA is the state affiliate of the National Restaurant Association. About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation: As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the NRAEF exists to enhance the restaurant industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement and promotion of career opportunities. The NRAEF works to attract, develop and retain a career-oriented professional workforce for the restaurant industry. In 2015, the restaurant and foodservice industry is projected to comprise 1 million outlets and a workforce of 14 million employees, making it one of the nation’s largest employers. For more information on the NRAEF, visit NRAEF.org. Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist Iowa Restaurant Association 515-276-1454 kkostek@restaurantiowa.com