Des Moines, IA- Oct 11 – On Monday October 8th, Holly Hintz, manager and chef of Créme Cupcake +Dessert, was awarded the 2018 Emerging Hospitality Leader Award by the Iowa Restaurant Association for her passion and commitment to Créme and the Des Moines Community. Hintz was presented the award at a ceremony in Des Moines by the Incoming Chairman of the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors Joe Essa of Wolfgang Puck Worldwide and the Current Chairman of the Iowa Restaurant Association Board of Directors Darin Beck of Barmuda Companies. From the days of her first job as a Soda Jerk at Stella’s Blue-Sky Diner, Hintz knew that she wanted to pursue a culinary career. She received a degree in Baking and Pastry at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York and then worked in a several East Coast boutique hotels before returning to Des Moines. She had always loved bakery and pastry work and worked in several local establishments. In 2011, while organizing a fundraiser to help Tsunami Victims, she met Christina Moffatt, owner of Crème Cupcake. The two had an instant connection with a shared passion for both gourmet baked goods and helping others. Hintz soon became a key member of the Crème Cupcake team and was instrumental in helping take the now iconic Des Moines bakery from a tiny catering operation to the standard-bearer dessert lounge it is today. As the General Manager at Crème Cupcake, Hintz not only leads daily operations, but also donates her time to help a variety of non-profit organizations including 4H, Winefest, and BRAVO.  Everyone who works with her is always struck by Hintz’s positive outlook, willingness to roll up her sleeves and pitch in, and do anything, natural leadership skills and creativity A video showcasing Hintz can be found at www.restaurantiowa.com. 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 Public Relations Specialist jjensen@restaurantiowa.com 319-464-0766