September 6, 2018, Des Moines, IA- On October 8th the Iowa Restaurant Association will host its Annual Celebrating Excellence Industry Awards Ceremony at the Des Moines Marriott. This year’s winners are a diverse group from across state. They will be honored for their creativity, business acumen, philanthropy, mentorship and leadership. Restaurants were nominated by the industry and public. Winners were selected by a panel of industry leaders.
2018 Award Winners
Restaurateur of the Year
Chef Benjamin Smart, Executive Chef
Big Grove Brewery, Solon & Iowa City
Pullman Bar & Diner, Iowa City
St. Burch Tavern, Iowa City
Chef of the Year
Chef Aaron Holt, Executive Chef/Co-General Manager, RoCA, Des Moines
Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year
Holly Hintz, Pastry Chef/General Manager, Créme Cupcake + Dessert, Des Moines
Restaurant Employee of the Year
Shayna Watts, Assistant Manager, Fresh Mediterranean Express, Waukee
American Dream Award of the Year
Chef Aman Razadan, Owner/Executive Chef, Hemispheres Bistro, Bettendorf
Purveyor Partner of the Year
Linda Funk, Executive Director, The Soyfoods Council, Ankeny
Industry Champion
Krista Kay, Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill, Princeton
ProStart Educator of Excellence
Joan Stekl, ProStart Educator, Washington High School, Cedar Rapids
ProStart Mentor of the Year
Drew Beck, Division President, Reinhart Foodservice, Cedar Rapids
Small Community Restaurant Neighbor Philanthropist
Unc’s Cheesecakes, Jessica Baldus Osage
Large Community Restaurant Neighbor Philanthropist
Gusto Pizza, Joe McConville, Josh Holderness & Tony Lemmo, Des Moines
Legislator of the Year
Representative Brian Best, Iowa’s 12th District, Glidden
Legislator of the Year
Senator Mike Breitbach, Iowa’s 28th District, Strawberry Point
The Awards Ceremony is part of a “full-day of hospitality fun” presented by the Iowa Restaurant Association. It will kick off with a keynote address from Joe Essa, President of Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc. The Association will then host an Industry Expo and education series. The Hospitality Awards Ceremony will kickoff the evening celebrations followed by a cocktail reception and Gala featuring the Association’s Annual Culinary competitors, live music, wine, beer and spirit samples. The Gala event is open to the public. Tickets are available for $50 at www.restaurantiowa.com.
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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:
Josephine Jensen
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