July 18, 2019 (Des Moines, Iowa) — The Iowa Restaurant Association today released its inaugural 40 “Women to Watch” in Hospitality List. The honorees hail from nearly every segment and function in the industry-from purveyors and entrepreneurs, to chefs and business development professionals. More than 100 nominations were submitted from across the state. All showcased women in Iowa’s hospitality industry who are blazing new trails, leading by example, or impressing their peers, customers and managers daily.

The 2019 List includes: (Photos Available Upon Request)

·      Alexis Lundgren, Trackside Bar & Grill, Peosta

·      Chef Allie Lanham, Caucho, Cedar Rapids

·      Ana McClain, Lion Bridge Brewing Company, Cedar Rapids

·      Anne Audo, Sysco Iowa, Iowa City

·      Chef Austina Smith, Grand Living at Bridgewater, Coralville

·      Blanca Plascencia, El Fogon, West Des Moines

·      Brittany Quaid, Pullman Bar & Diner, Iowa City

·      Cassandra Rodish, Fuel’d Café, Des Moines

·      Christina Moffatt, Crème Cupcake + Dessert, Des Moines

·      Cindy Bosley, BozWellz Pub and Eaterie, Storm Lake

·      Darian Everding, London Underground, Ames

·      Fabiola Carlin, Panka Peruvian Restaurant, Des Moines

·      Faye Swift, Big Grove Brewery/BlackStone/Pullman Bar & Grill/Reds Alehouse, Iowa City/North Liberty/Solon

·      Gwen Page, Fong’s Pizza, Des Moines

·      Hanna Burkle, Rolling Smoke Barbeque, Pleasant Hill

·      Jamie Skinner, Molly’s Cupcake’s, Iowa City & Des Moines

·      Joni Bell, Great Caterers of Iowa, Inc., Pleasant Hill

·      Chef Julie Schoenherr, SoHo Kitchen & Bar, Sioux City

·      Chef Karla Boetel, Iowa Culinary Institute at DMACC, Ankeny

·      Karla Walsh, Food and Life Style Writer, Des Moines

·      Kate Willer, Bubba Southern Comforts, Des Moines

·      Katie Greenfield, Jefferson County Ciderworks, Fairfield

·      Chef Kerri Rush, Fresh Café & Market, Carlilse

·      Krista Kay, Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill, Princeton

·      Lauren Doll-Sheeder, Doll Distributing, Des Moines

·      Linda Funk, The Soyfoods Council, Ankeny

·      Lindsey Wallace, Pete’s Thai Kitchen, Dubuque

·      Chef Lisa LaValle, Trellis Café, Des Moines

·      Liz Ramey, Gilroy’s Kitchen + Pub + Patio, West Des Moines

·      Lorraine Williams, Café Dodici, Washington

·      Martha McAninch, Gusto Pizza Company, Des Moines

·      Michelle Booth, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, West Des Moines

·      Natasha Sayles, Winefest Des Moines, Des Moines

·      Sara Hill, The Hare and The Hound, Earlham

·      Sarah Pritchard, Table 128 Bistro and Bar, Clive

·      Sneh Chopra, Melting Bite, Cedar Rapids

·      Stacy Wertzberger, Iowa State University, Ames

·      Stephanie Sellers, Baked Beer & Bread Company, Davenport

·      Taylor Weiss, Crème Cupcake + Dessert, Des Moines

·      Chef Terrie Kohl, Country Club Market, Carlilse

Honorees will be featured in the Summer issue of Food and Beverage Iowa Business Quarterly. In addition, a synopsis of each woman’s industry story will be launched on the Iowa Restaurant Association website on August 1^st. The honorees will be recognized in person in a display at the Iowa Hospitality Expo on November 18, 2019 at the Iowa Events Center, as well as recognized at the Iowa Restaurant Association’s Annual Awards Ceremony and celebratory reception that day.

“Women are building meaningful careers in every segment of the restaurant industry and the numbers back that up. 58% of foodservice supervisors and 49% of foodservice managers are women, far above the averages in nearly every other industry,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association. “From restaurant ownership, to full-time sales and management, to flexible hour part-time positions, women are charting their own paths in the hospitality sector.”

Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation

The Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. It is the leading education resource for the development of a professional and highly-skilled hospitality workforce in the state of Iowa, building connections between educational entities and industry employers seeking trained, qualified students and job candidates.

Iowa Restaurant Association

The Iowa Restaurant Association protects, promotes and educates Iowa’s hospitality industry.

Media Contact:

Josephine Jensen

Public Relations Specialist

319-464-0766