September 25, 2015 – Des Moines, IA – Two Rivers Hospitality Group Executive Chef Mike Holman has been named the Iowa Restaurant Association’s 2015 Chef of the Year. Holman was recognized at an award ceremony at The Temple for Performing Arts in downtown Des Moines on September 24^th. This award honors a professional chef who exemplifies creativity, culinary excellence, and service to the profession and the industry.

###

Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association is an advocacy organization supporting Iowa’s restaurant and bar industry with educational and promotional programs across the state.   Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist Iowa Restaurant Association kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454

September 25, 2015 – Des Moines, IA – Performance Foodservice TPC President Charlie Campbell has been named the Iowa Restaurant Association’s 2015 Purveyor Partner of the Year. Campbell was recognized at an award ceremony at The Temple for Performing Arts in downtown Des Moines on September 24^th. This award honors the purveyor employee whose performance exceeds expectations by going above and beyond the job, delivering outstanding customer service and making a positive impact on the business.

###

Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association is an advocacy organization supporting Iowa’s restaurant and bar industry with educational and promotional programs across the state.   Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist Iowa Restaurant Association kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454

September 25, 2015 – Des Moines, IA – Court Avenue Restaurant & Brewing Company (CabCo.) bartender Chance Hulten has been named the Iowa Restaurant Association’s 2015 Employee of the Year. He was recognized at an award ceremony at the Temple for Performing Arts on September 24^th. This award honors an employee whose performance exceeds expectations by delivering outstanding and superior customer service and making a positive impact on the business.

###

Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association is an advocacy organization supporting Iowa’s restaurant and bar industry with educational and promotional programs across the state.   Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist Iowa Restaurant Association kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454

September 25, 2015 – Burlington, IA – Burlington High School Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and ProStart Educator Mary Smith has been awarded the National and Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s ProStart Educator of Excellence Award. She was recognized at an awards ceremony at The Temple for Performing Arts in downtown Des Moines on September 24^th. The award distinguishes exceptional educators who utilize the ProStart program in their classrooms. ProStart is a two-year career-building program which blends classroom learning with mentored work experience to teach high school students the management and culinary skills needed for a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry.

###

Iowa Restaunant Association Education Foundation The Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation works to advance professionalism and career opportunities in the hospitality industry through education, scholarships, and community involvement. The IRAEF serves as the charitable arm of the Iowa Restaurant Association.   Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist Iowa Restaurant Association kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454

September 25, 2015 – Waterloo, IA –Waterloo Hy-Vee Executive Chef Brice Dix has been named the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s first ProStart Mentor of the Year. He was recognized at an awards ceremony at The Temple for Performing Arts in downtown Des Moines on September 24^th. The award distinguishes a person who provides exceptional support to a high school ProStart program. ProStart is a two-year career-building program which blends classroom learning with mentored work experience to teach high school students the management and culinary skills needed for a career in the restaurant and foodservice industry.

###

Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation The Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation works to advance professionalism and career opportunities in the hospitality industry through education, scholarships, and community involvement. The IRAEF serves as the charitable arm of the Iowa Restaurant Association. Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist Iowa Restaurant Association 515-276-1454 kkostek@restaurantiowa.com

September 25, 2015 – Des Moines, IA – Mickey’s Irish Pub in Waukee has been named one of the Iowa Restaurant Association’s 2015 State Restaurant Neighbor Philanthropy Award Winners. Owners/Operators Andy and Amy Walsh were recognized at an award ceremony at The Temple for Performing Arts in downtown Des Moines on September 24^th. This award distinguishes restaurants that make an impact in their communities through charitable giving and fundraising.

###

Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association is an advocacy organization supporting Iowa’s restaurant and bar industry with educational and promotional programs across the state.   Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist Iowa Restaurant Association kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454

September 25, 2015 – Des Moines, IA – Full Court Press, Inc. has been named one of the Iowa Restaurant Association’s 2015 State Restaurant Neighbor Philanthropy Award Winners. Owner Jeff Bruning accepted the award on behalf of the company at an award ceremony at The Temple for Performing Arts in downtown Des Moines on September 24^th. This award distinguishes restaurants that make an impact in their communities through charitable giving and fundraising.

###

Iowa Restaurant Association The Iowa Restaurant Association is an advocacy organization supporting Iowa’s restaurant and bar industry with educational and promotional programs across the state.   Media Contact: Katelyn Kostek Public Relations Specialist Iowa Restaurant Association kkostek@restaurantiowa.com 515-276-1454

Des Moines restaurateur Pamela Patton of Patton’s Restaurant & Catering received the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s 2015 Faces of Diversity American Dream award. Watch her story here.